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How to Assess What’s Important to Families with Individuals with Special Needs in a New City

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Special Needs Alliance
How to Assess What’s Important to Families with Individuals with Special Needs in a New City

Of all the life changes we experience, moving to a new city can undoubtedly be one of the most stressful and challenging situations. For families with a loved one with special needs, moving can add additional hardship, so it’s critical to plan in advance and be proactive in focusing on making the transition as easy as possible on the individual with special needs.


Starting the Process


T. Nikki Mitchell, Esq. suggests the following tips early in the moving process:


  • If the child is over 18 and under a guardianship, the parents should meet with the lawyer who established the guardianship and request a referral to a lawyer in the new state, one who specializes in transferring guardianship.
  • If possible, do some research and identify the service providers in the new city, from a new medical support team to social services and education.
  • Take advantage of the regional ARC, who can connect families with disability and special needs resources.
  • If the child is receiving public health benefits, consider submitting an application to get Medicaid coverage in the new location.
  • Take an active role in assessing the education system and possible schools, which help ensure a smoother transition for the special needs child entering a new school system.
  • Look at the special needs services the new school district provides, to determine if your child can be assessed prior to the move.
  • If the special needs child has health care needs that require support from specialists, make sure to find out what resources exist in the new location. For example, if you move from a city to a rural area, it will be important to research how far the family will need to travel to the nearest children’s hospital or similar facility.
  • If the special needs child has care needs that were being met at home, determine how those needs will continue to be met at home, or whether they can/should be transitioned to an external care team.


Finally, be persistent, ask lots of questions, and realize moving and getting settled can take a considerable amount of time. An individual with special needs requires extra care and attention during this process, to feel secure during the transition.


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