Parents in New Mexico understand that difficulties are involved with raising a child with disabilities. There is often a constant priority to care for them, and if the parents are divorced or are going through the process, their care could be complicated. A child custody arrangement should promote the best interest of the child, but when a child requires additional needs, this could lead to disputes concerning the care and custody of the child. Additional factors might need to be considered and proven when a special needs child is involved.
April is Autism Awareness Month. Professionals not only seek to advise parents about the care and needs of children with this disability, but they also provide insight for divorcing and divorced parents with autistic children. Specifically, they highlight the fact that it is important for parents to work together and develop a co-parenting relationship when it comes to the care and needs of their special needs child.
Moreover, a recent report indicates that divorce is much more common for parents with autistic children. Although only a small study supports this idea, parents should be aware that there is added responsibility when they are going through a divorce with an autistic child involved. It might be more difficult to plan for medical and educational needs when parents have conflicting schedules and are not getting along. Furthermore, they might face difficulties explaining the situation to their special needs child, so it is crucial that parents understand how to deal with important issues concerning the wellbeing of their child.
Because special needs children might require additional assistance and medical care, this could complicate the plans when it comes to parenting time. It is important for both parents to understand their schedules and how they can be flexible for the needs of their child versus their desire to have the child on certain days at certain times. This is why teamwork is crucial for both the mental and emotional health of the child.
Coming to terms and working together post-divorce might be challenging for some parents, but when it comes to devising a child custody agreement, it is important that they address all their concerns so they can develop a parenting plan that works for everyone involved.
It is not easy to go through a divorce, and dealing with the care and wellbeing of a special needs child could further complicate the issues and emotions involved in a divorce. Those seeking to establish a fair parenting plan should make sure they understand their options and seek independent guidance. This will help ensure their rights and interests are served and protected.
Source: Huffington Post, “When Parents of a Child With Autism Divorce: Separating Myth From Reality, ” Bari Zell Weinberger, April 4, 2014