| The time will come when your child will want to live | | | | relationships. Look for an environment that provides |
| independently from your family or when you will no | | | | protection and support as well as independence. If you |
| longer be able to meet your child's needs. For many | | | | are unsure about the types of living situations available |
| families, this change occurs around the time their child | | | | in your community, talk with a social worker at your |
| turns 18. Although it may be difficult to imagine anyone | | | | local hospital to find out what options your child has. A |
| else taking care of your child or your child leaving | | | | child with a physical disability that requires periodic care |
| home and living on his or her own, it's important to plan | | | | or one who is mentally disabled may benefit from a |
| for your child's future. Include your child in the planning | | | | semi-independent living or working arrangement. Group |
| as much as you can. As someone once said, if you fail | | | | homes are residences in which four to six disabled |
| to plan, you plan to fail. When it comes to your child it is | | | | people live together with one or two support staff. |
| vital to make a clear and solid plan about the future. | | | | Group homes offer many of the comforts of home |
| There are several places where can obtain | | | | while helping the child become self-sufficient. Children |
| information that may help in planning ahead for your | | | | who need ongoing care may need to be placed in a |
| child's future. One of the most important resources is | | | | long-term care facility or specialized rehabilitation |
| the internet. There is a vast amount of information on | | | | center that offers care for an extended period. If your |
| the internet that can help you plan for your child's | | | | child needs long-term care, carefully consider all of the |
| future. It is important to note that any advice that you | | | | emotional and financial implications of placing your child |
| get online is purely based on opinions and may not be | | | | in such a facility. Ask your child's doctor or a social |
| a licensed professional. There it is important for you do | | | | worker at the hospital where the doctor has staff |
| counter check the information that you find by visiting | | | | privileges to recommend a qualified long-term care |
| a professional with any questions and concerns. As | | | | center. Visit the facility before placement so you can |
| your child grows up, prepare him or her for the | | | | feel comfortable with the staff and surroundings. Don't |
| eventual separation from your family by involving him | | | | feel guilty that you have abandoned your child after |
| or her in recreational activities outside the family, such | | | | placement. Your child's doctor will recommend |
| as team sports or summer camp. Help your child | | | | long-term care only if your child needs it. If you have |
| make friends and develop skills in decision-making to | | | | difficulty coming to terms with your child's placement in |
| ease the transition to community living. Show your child | | | | long-term care, ask the doctor to recommend a |
| how to use public transportation and manage money. | | | | therapist you can talk to. |
| The ultimate goal is for your child to live, work, and play | | | | Spring Creek Toys offers Blokus, Brainy Baby 123's, |
| within the community, and to have meaningful personal | | | | Brainy Baby 123's Tab Book. |