Taking the First Step in Planning Your Child’s Future
All parents want their children to grow up and enjoy a good quality of life. For parents of children on the autism spectrum, there may be added worry and uncertainty, especially when thinking about their children's future and well-being, when they may no longer be around to support them. Not wanting to leave things to chance, many are looking for help with what to do and where to start to prepare for their children’s future.
This Life After Death (LAD) Playbook contains resources for parents to plan for their child’s future. It is designed to help you take those first steps. It offers clear guidance, helpful templates, and useful resources to support you in planning for your child’s future.
What Does Future Planning Involve?
Planning for your child’s future means giving him the opportunity to have a flourishing life, a life that holds the promise of happiness, enjoyment, satisfaction and purpose. To support a flourishing life for your Child, you will have to understand his needs, set goals in key areas, such as health, housing, meaningful engagement, and money matters.
The playbook will show you how to get started in each key area, with editable templates, checklists, and links to relevant services in Singapore. It will also guide you in preparing a folder for your child's future caregiver, to ensure that key information about your child is safely stored and ready to use when the time comes. A sample of this folder is available below.
Involve Your Child in the Process
Involve your child as much as possible in your planning. After all, the plans are for him. Ask him for his ideas and listen to what he has to say.
You may wish to record his comments for future caregivers so that they may know his needs and aspirations.
Start Small, One Step at a Time
Planning is a process, not a one-time activity. Get started, even if the first step seems difficult. We are not trying to make perfect plans; we just want to start making plans for your child. Think of your plans for your child as the map and luggage for his journey through his life.
As things do not remain the same over time, the map would need a little updating, and the luggage requires replenishment from time to time. Thus, you should consider that the plans you are making are a work in progress. There will be people and resources along the way to help you complete your plans if you keep working.
Planning is an act of love; implementing your plan is love in action.