FINANCIAL PLANNING
New Study Reveals Support Gap
For People With Special Needs
By Ryan F. PLATT, MBA, ChFC, ChSNC
T services has risen by 21.5 percent. This phenomenon
means that fewer people are able to support them-
selves financially, and more individuals are not re-
ceiving the support needed from state and federal
government programs. As the population of those
with IDD, especially diagnosed with autism, contin-
ues to grow, our loved ones are in a precarious posi-
tion.
The number of individuals with IDD that have found
jobs with market-driven wages continues to drop,
while at the same time, the number of individuals on
waiting lists to receive home and community-based As we read these studies and learn these new statis-
tics, it becomes quite clear that families need to take
as much control as possible when planning for their
loved ones’ lifetime supports. We must come up with
a plan, but in order to develop a plan, a systemat-
ic process should be implemented and followed. As
he United Cerebral Palsy and the ANCOR
Foundation released the Case for Inclusion
2019 report that analyzed how well state
programs, especially Medicaid, are meet-
ing the needs of those with intellectual and
developmental disabilities (IDD). The study
did find some continued positive changes,
including the move away from institutions into com-
munity living; however, the study also continues to
find challenges.
74 | Autism Parenting Magazine | Issue 87