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Today I’m talking with Jenny Nechvatal, a special needs mom and early childhood educator from Wagga Wagga, Australia. Jenny shares what it’s like raising her twin sons, Ryan and Zach, who are almost 24 and have level 3 autism, an intellectual delay, and are nonverbal. We talk about getting an autism diagnosis, early intervention services, and how her family moved from homeschooling to supported independent living, also called SIL. Jenny explains how the NDIS, Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), works, and how it compares to Social Security, Medicaid, and waitlists for group homes here in the United States. We also chat about the Disability Support Pension, how to find SIL providers, and what a week looks like for her sons in their own home. As a mom who worked in early childhood for over 30 years, Jenny also opens up about being in denial about her own sons’ diagnosis, and how that experience shaped her work with other families. She shares how she started a support coordination business, wrote her book, and now offers workshops and webinars for parents and educators. If you are a special needs parent or caregiver of an adult with disabilities, wondering about adult disability services, supported living, or how other countries support families, this conversation is full of encouragement and real world advice. Join our FREE Facebook group here Jenny Nechvatal:  Website Instagram Facebook: Innovative Disability Solutions  LinkedIn

This episode is a solo one, and host Jenny Olson is saying out loud some of the things she thought for years that she believed were just her. If you are a special needs parent or caregiver who has ever felt alone, misunderstood, or like no one else gets it, this episode is for you. We talk about grieving the future you once pictured for your child, even while loving them exactly as they are. Jenny opens up about getting tired of hearing it will get easier, and what it is really like when there is no empty nest coming for families like ours. We also cover feeling resentment and guilt at the same time, watching friendships fade as life gets busier with caregiving, and lying awake at night wondering who will care for your child when you are gone. She shares thoughts on how the world seems built for families with young kids with special needs, but offers very little for adults with special needs, along with the complicated feelings that come from watching other people's kids hit typical milestones. Lastly, we talk about losing touch with your own hobbies and identity outside of being a caregiver, and why it is okay to still take up space as your own person. If you are a special needs parent or caregiver of an adult with disabilities looking for connection, community, and honest conversation about guardianship, caregiving, and adult disability life, she hope this episode reminds you that you are not alone. Join our Facebook group for parents and family caregivers of special needs adults (or late teens, age 16+) Follow the podcast on Instagram

On today's episode, host Jenny Olson is sharing the things she would never do as she planned for her special needs son's 18th birthday. If you have a special needs teenager who is 16, 17, or about to turn 18, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you avoid common mistakes. We talk about why you should never wait to look into guardianship, power of attorney, conservatorship, or supported decision making, and why it is best to start that process at least a year before your child turns 18. She also shares why you should never open a regular bank account in your special needs child's name with a lot of money in it, and why an ABLE account or special needs trust is a much safer option. We also cover why you should never forget to apply for Medicaid and SSI right after your child turns 18, since those benefits are the gateway to things like Medicaid waivers and paid caregiving. And finally, Jenny reminds you why you should never forget why you are doing all of this in the first place. If you are a special needs parent or caregiver trying to make sense of guardianship, Medicaid, Social Security, or SSI as your child approaches adulthood, this episode will help you feel more prepared and less alone. Links: Special Needs Adult Caregiving Facebook Group  Follow the podcast on Instagram

Today we're talking with Haley Bennett, a mom of 4 whose younger two kids, ages 18 and 17, have profound autism, apraxia, mitochondrial issues, and several other complex health conditions. Haley shares how she found the Speller program after hearing about the book Underestimated, and how spelling to communicate opened up a whole new world for her non speaking children. We talk about apraxia, presuming competence, and why a child who cannot reliably communicate may know so much more than anyone realizes. Haley also opens up about medical advocacy, diagnostic overshadowing, and how getting the right doctor finally uncovered serious health issues that had been dismissed as just autism for years. We dig into MedMAPS, a directory of clinicians who specialize in caring for kids and adults with complex special needs, along with their conferences for both clinicians and parents. Haley also shares practical advice on getting benefits and services when you move states, why you have to be the squeaky wheel, and why trusting your gut as a parent matters more than you think. If you are a special needs parent or caregiver looking for real resources on communication devices, medical advocacy, or navigating benefits, this conversation is meant for you. Links: Haley Bennett's IG Pediatrics Medical Courses, Workshops, CME Conferences- Med Maps Spellers Freedom Foundation MAPS for Parents facebook.com

For this episode, I'm sharing several things I have learned after being a special needs parent for 18 years to my son Ben, who has autism and an intellectual disability. If you are a parent of a child with special needs, or a caregiver of an adult with disabilities, this episode is full of honest reflections that I hope will encourage you. We talk about how high school graduation is not really a finish line, but the start of a whole new chapter. I also share why turning 18 does not mean your child suddenly needs less help or support, even though they are a legal adult. We talk about why it is so important to look into adult disability services and benefits like Medicaid, guardianship, ABLE accounts, and Social Security or SSI before and after your child turns 18. I also open up about learning to trust myself instead of constantly worrying, planning for my son's future care after I am gone, and why setting up things like a special needs trust and organizing important documents really matters. Lastly, I talk about why taking care of myself as a caregiver is just as important as taking care of my son. If you are a special needs parent or family caregiver looking for encouragement, real talk, and practical tips for navigating guardianship, Medicaid waivers, and adult disability care, this episode is for you. Follow us on Instagram

We’ll be walking you through how I became a paid caregiver for my own adult son who has autism and an intellectual disability. If you have ever wondered if you can get paid to take care of your adult child with special needs, this episode is for you. I share the exact steps I took here in Colorado to become a paid family caregiver through Medicaid waivers, but this information can help you no matter what state you live in since many states have similar programs. We cover what paid family caregiving actually is, how Medicaid and HCBS waivers work, and the difference between self directed care, also called CDASS, and agency directed care, also known as PASA. I also break down the different types of waivers, including the SLS waiver, the CFC waiver, and the Children's waiver, and explain why we chose the path we did for our son. You will hear about the process of interviewing caregiving agencies, what homemaker hours and personal care hours are, how much you can expect to get paid, and what training like CPR and mandated reporter classes are required. I also share info on which states have strong consumer directed models, which states allow parents of minors to be paid caregivers, and where you can start your own research no matter where you live. If you are a special needs parent or caregiver wondering about guardianship, Medicaid waivers, or how to get paid to care for your loved one, this episode is packed with real, honest information to help you get started. Follow us on Instagram for more info. on special needs benefits, services, and to find a like-minded community of other special needs adult caregivers!

Today's episode is a little different. It's just me, Jenny, going solo for a new series I'm calling a Walk and Talk. I recorded this while on my morning walk after my kids headed off to school and my son Ben went to his program. Think of it like a heart to heart, parent to parent, and caregiver to caregiver. If you are a special needs parent or a family caregiver of an adult with disabilities, you know how hard it is to get a real break or find respite care. In this episode I share three simple hopes for you, three types of breaks that can help you get through the hard days of caregiving. We talk about doing something small just for you, planning a do nothing day where you skip the chores and paperwork, and giving yourself grace and a break on the inside too. If you are feeling overwhelmed, lonely, or like you have to do it all yourself as a caregiver, this episode is for you. You are not alone in this caregiving journey, and I hope this conversation reminds you that you are doing better than you think. If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy episode 3: Six Ways to Find and Give Support as a Special Needs Caregiver Follow the podcast on Instagram

Today we're talking all about special needs financial planning with Tanner Withers, founder of Albility Planning. Tanner is a special needs financial planner who helps families across the country plan for their disabled loved ones, and he's also an adoptive dad to a daughter with a rare genetic syndrome. We talk about the two things every special needs family hears about, ABLE accounts and special needs trusts, and why you need to understand how they actually work before you use them. Tanner breaks down the Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefit, the child in care spousal benefit, and the cliff at age 22 that can cost a family their Social Security benefits for good. We also dig into how ABLE accounts work, how much money you can put in them, the Medicaid clawback rule, and how a debit card option can help give your adult child more independence with money. If you're a caregiver of an adult with disabilities, or a special needs parent trying to figure out guardianship, Medicaid waivers, Social Security disability, or how to build a financial plan for your family's future, this episode is packed with helpful tips and real world advice. Tanner Withers Albility Planning: https://www.albilityplanning.com/ use PROMO code ALBILITY250 for 250 off the Foundational Roadmap His FB group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1EuY7egfBP/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/albilityplanning/

Today we're talking all about special needs parenting and caregiving with Jeff and Kim Kribs, the hosts of the Specialness Podcast. Jeff and Kim share their honest story of adopting their son Kason, who was later diagnosed with severe mental illness, autism, an intellectual disability, and a rare genetic disorder. We talk about what it's really like raising a special needs child alongside a neurotypical sibling, and how that affects the whole family. Jeff and Kim also open up about their long fight to get Social Security disability benefits, the confusing guardianship process, and the frustrating experiences they've had at adult doctor's offices once their son turned 18. If you're a caregiver of an adult with disabilities, or a special needs parent trying to figure out guardianship, Medicaid waivers, Social Security disability, or what happens when your child ages out of school services, this conversation is packed with real talk and hard won advice. Jeff and Kim also share what they wish more doctors, schools, and employers understood about caring for a special needs adult child. Kim and Jeff’s podcast: Specialness Podcast

14 | How to Become a Representative Payee for Your Adult Child with Special Needs to Manage Their SSI Benefits and Finances In this episode of Adult Special Needs Caregiving, host Jenny Olson breaks down what it means to be a representative payee for a loved one with special needs, a role many caregivers end up taking on without fully understanding it. Jenny shares her own experience applying to become her son Ben's representative payee through the Social Security Administration, or SSA, so she could help manage his SSI benefits. She explains how a representative payee is different from guardianship or power of attorney, who typically needs one, and why the SSA requires this extra step even if you already have legal guardianship. Jenny also walks through the real life process of setting up a special needs bank account as the representative payee, including a funny and frustrating trip to the bank, and shares tips on keeping accurate records, following SSA's required spending order, and avoiding common misconceptions about managing this money. She also introduces the ABLE account, a helpful tool for saving money without losing SSI or Medicaid benefits. If you are new to this process or think you might need to become a representative payee soon, this episode will help you feel more prepared and less alone. This episode is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional or legal advice. Helpful information on SSA and representative payees: ssa.gov/payee

13 | Worried about Elopement? Free Safety Programs and Registries for Wandering, Elopement, and Emergencies for Special Needs Children and Adults Every Family Should Know In this solo episode of Adult Special Needs Caregiving, host Jenny Olson shares some of the best free safety programs and registries for families caring for a child or adult with autism, Down syndrome, dementia, intellectual and developmental disorders, and  communication disabilities. Jenny opens up about the scary moment her son Ben eloped as a toddler, and why programs like these matter so much, especially during summer when wandering and elopement risks go up. She walks through several free tools every caregiver should know about, including the Blue Envelope Program for traffic stops, Take Me Home and Safe Encounter registries, Project Lifesaver and WanderFlag tracking programs, SMART 911 safety profiles, the Big Red Safety Box wandering prevention kit, and state Silver Alert programs for missing persons. These resources can help first responders, police, and medical teams respond faster and more safely if your loved one wanders, elopes, or is involved in a medical emergency. Whether your loved one is 3 or 45, these programs are designed to give caregivers peace of mind and give first responders the information they need right away. Best of all, these programs are free and easy to set up before a crisis ever happens. Grab Jenny's FREE downloadable PDF with all the program info on Instagram @adult.special.needs.caregiving or click below:  Special Needs Safety and Elopement Prevention Checklist

In this episode of Adult Special Needs Caregiving, host Jenny Olson talks with Justin Bowman, founder and CEO of VizyPlan, a visual routine and planner app for kids and adults with autism, ADHD, and other special needs. Justin shares the story of his son Sawyer's autism diagnosis and how his own family's struggles with meltdowns, transitions, and communication led him and his wife Danielle, a speech language pathologist, to create an app that turns sticky notes and picture boards into an easy digital tool. You'll learn how VizyPlan uses AI generated images, avatars, and social stories to help kids and adults understand their day, prepare for new places, and feel less anxious about change. Justin also talks about the app's calendar features, IEP meeting support, provider tools, and a brand new calming feature called Resna that uses heart rate data to help with focus and anxiety. This episode is packed with real, practical ideas for special needs parents and caregivers looking for tools that actually make daily life easier, whether your loved one is a young child or an adult on the spectrum. Justin also shares great advice on finding community and support in the autism and disability space. Note: This episode is not sponsored, and Jenny is not an affiliate of VizyPlan. VizyPlan app: https://vizyplan.com/ Justin Bowman: https://www.instagram.com/vizyplan/ Follow the podcast on Instagram Timestamps: 00:01:49 – Justin introduces himself and his family 00:02:22 – Sawyer's early signs and autism diagnosis journey 00:08:01 – How Vizyplan started with sticky notes and picture binders 00:12:11 – Moving from paper visuals to AI generated images 00:16:00 – How Vizyplan avatars and Vizy Stories were created 00:18:09 – Using countdowns to prepare kids for big events 00:20:20 – Vizyplan's provider tools and Vizi Advocate for IEP meetings 00:25:43 – How Vizyplan can help special needs adults, not just kids 00:29:23 – Introducing Resna, a new calming and focus tool 00:32:25 – Pricing, free trial, and how to download Vizyplan 00:36:10 – Justin's advice on finding community and support online

11 | When an Adult Sibling Becomes the Caregiver: conversation with Stefanie Hennes about Ralph’s Law and Advocacy In this episode of Adult Special Needs Caregiving, host Jenny Olson sits down with Stefanie Hennes, a sibling caregiver who stepped up to care for her brother Ralph, who has autism and an intellectual disability. Stefanie shares what it was really like moving Ralph across state lines to live with her family after their mom passed away suddenly and their dad could no longer provide care. If you're a caregiver dealing with Medicaid waivers, waiting lists, or state disability services, this episode is packed with real talk and practical tips. Stefanie walks through the frustrating legal roadblocks she hit when Ralph's Medicaid waiver services didn't transfer between states, and how that fight led her to work with Maryland lawmakers to pass "Ralph's Law," legislation designed to help other families avoid the same struggle. You'll also hear how she prepared her own kids and husband for a major family change, tips on organizing important documents and disability records, and heartfelt stories about what it's really like to be both a sibling and a full time caregiver. Whether you're a parent, a sibling caregiver, or planning for the future of a loved one with special needs, this conversation offers hope, honesty, and advice. Follow and subscribe to the podcast!  We'd also love ratings and reviews to help more people discover the show.  Thank you for listening! Follow Stefanie and Ralph: https://www.instagram.com/spreadingjoywithralphieboy/ Follow the podcast: https://www.instagram.com/adult.special.needs.caregiving/

10 | Life Skills and Vocational Training for Special Needs Adults After Graduation Through Transition Programs Did you know your special needs child may be eligible for a free post high school transition program through their school district? Most families never find out until it is too late. Host Jenny Olson is here to change that. In this episode, she breaks down what extended school year services and transition programs are, how they work, and why every special needs caregiver should start asking about them as early as age 14. Jenny also shares her own family's experience getting her son Ben, who has autism and an intellectual disability, enrolled in a three year transition program through their local Colorado school district this fall. Under the federal IDEA Act, school districts are required to provide transition services for eligible students with an IEP through age 21 or 22, depending on your state. That means your special needs young adult may have access to free vocational training, life skills classes, job coaching, and community based instruction even after high school ends. This is one of the most valuable and underused resources available to disability families, and this episode walks you through exactly what to look for and how to get started. Jenny covers the different types of programs available, including transition programs that blend life skills and job training, vocational and job coaching programs, and community based instruction. She also spotlights an incredible national program called Project Search, a one year work preparation program available in over 40 states that places young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities into real workplace internships with the goal of landing competitive employment. Jenny also gives a detailed look at the specific transition program her son Ben is starting this fall, including what the daily schedule looks like, what life skills and vocational training are offered, how the job training with local businesses works, and what it costs families. Spoiler: it is free. If your special needs child is still in high school, do not wait for the school to bring this up. This episode will help you know exactly what to ask for and when. If this episode was helpful, please follow and subscribe so you never miss a new episode and take a moment to leave a review. It helps other special needs caregivers and disability families find this community when they need it most. Follow us on Instagram

9 | Feeling Unprepared for Special Needs Adulthood? A Conversation with Candace Ridley of Mom’N Real Hard This episode is a little different and we are so excited to share it with you. Host Jenny Olson was recently a guest on Candace Ridley's YouTube show Mom'N Real Hard, and the conversation was so good that it had to come to this podcast too. Candace is a fellow special needs mom to her son Lyric, and together she and Jenny dive deep into the world of special needs caregiving, from the middle school years all the way through preparing for adulthood. In this heart to heart conversation, Jenny shares her family's journey raising her son Ben, who has autism and an intellectual disability, including what inclusive classrooms and unified sports have looked like for their family. Candace opens up about her own experience with school bullying, advocating for her son, and finding a school community that finally felt safe and supportive. Together they talk honestly about navigating social challenges, finding the right educational fit, and what it really takes to advocate for a child with special needs. The conversation then shifts into the big stuff that every special needs parent and caregiver needs to know about as their child approaches adulthood. Jenny breaks down guardianship versus power of attorney, what ABLE accounts are and how they protect SSI eligibility, and what families should know about preparing for the transition to adult disability services. This is real, practical information mixed with genuine encouragement for caregivers who are feeling exhausted, isolated, or worried about the future. This episode is packed with relatable mom talk, useful resources, and the kind of community and connection that every special needs caregiver needs to hear. Jenny and Candace remind us all that we are not alone on this journey, and that taking it one day at a time is enough. Check out Candace Ridley and her show Mom'N Real Hard for more real conversations about motherhood. www.momnrealhard.com Mom'N Real Hard - YouTube Spotify Facebook If this episode resonated with you, please follow/subscribe so you never miss a new episode and take a moment to leave a rating and review. It helps other special needs caregivers and disability families find this community when they need it most.  Follow us on Instagram so you don’t miss anything!