Parents of Special Needs Adults | Caregiver Support, Autism Advocacy, Disability Care, Guardianship

Jennifer Olson
  • 5.0 (18)
  • Parenting
  • Weekly

Welcome to Parents of Special Needs Adults,(formerly called Special Needs Adult Caregiving) a podcast for parents and family caregivers of adults with disabilities. If you are raising or caring for an adult child or loved one with special needs, you are in the right place. Host Jenny Olson is a mom of five. Her son is a young adult with autism and an intellectual disability, and he will need care for life. Jenny is not just talking about this topic. She is living it too. This show gives you real answers and resources about adult disability care. We talk about the things other shows skip. Whether your child just turned 18 and is facing that “special needs cliff”, or you have been a caregiver for years, this podcast is for you. Each week, you will hear about topics like: SSI and SSDI benefits for adults with disabilities Medicaid waivers and how to apply Special needs trusts and ABLE accounts Guardianship versus power of attorney Finding disability-friendly doctors What to do when a waiver application gets denied How caregiving affects marriage and family Talking to siblings about future care plans Avoiding caregiver burnout without the guilt You will hear real stories from other caregivers who understand this life. You will hear expert interviews from people who work in these systems every day. And you will walk away with tools you can use right away. Have you ever searched "how to apply for SSI" late at night? Have you felt alone trying to find help for your adult child with special needs? This podcast is for you. Caregiving for a special needs adult is hard. But you do not have to figure it out by yourself. This is more than a podcast. It is a community of parents and family caregivers who understand this life. You are not alone, and you are doing better than you think. Let’s figure this out together!  Subscribe now and join a growing community of caregivers, parents, and disability advocates. New episodes come out every week. Follow us on Instagram

  1. 6d ago

    24 | Where’s My Village? Finding Community in Unlikely Places as a Special Needs Parent

    In this episode, I'm talking about the phrase every special needs parent has heard: it takes a village. If you are a special needs parent or caregiver of an adult with disabilities and you don't have family or regular support nearby, you may have rolled your eyes at that phrase too. I know I have. I share what my village has really looked like over 18 years of raising my son Ben, who has autism and an intellectual disability. It was not one big group. It was a stranger at a park who held my baby while I searched for Ben, a group of grad school moms who got me through a hard season, teenagers at church who patiently helped Ben say his prayers, a retired special education teacher, and a kind couple who sits behind us in church. I also share simple ways to find your own village, from letting someone help with a small task, to joining support groups, disability organizations, respite programs, and online communities. If you feel lonely, overwhelmed, or like you are doing this caregiving journey all alone, this episode is a gentle reminder that your village may be smaller and more scattered than you pictured, but it can still be real. You deserve to have people in your corner too. Follow us on: Join our Facebook Group Instagram

  2. Oct 21

    23 | Supported Independent Living and NDIS for Adults with Level 3 Autism in Australia with Jenny Nechvatal

    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

  3. Oct 7

    22 | I Thought It Was Just Me: Honest Thoughts Special Needs Parents Never Say Out Loud

    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

  4. Sep 30

    21 | Preparing for Adulthood: Top Things Not to Do for Special Needs Teens

    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

  5. Sep 23

    20 | Unlocking Communication with Non-Speaking Autism, Speller Programs, and Medical Advocacy with Haley Bennett

    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

  6. Sep 16

    19 | 7 Life Lessons I’ve Learned Parenting an Adult with Disabilities for 18 Years as a Caregiver

    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

  7. Sep 9

    18 | How to Become a Paid Caregiver for Your Adult Child With Disabilities Using Medicaid Waivers

    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!

  8. Sep 2

    17 | 3 Kinds of Breaks Every Special Needs Caregiver Needs to Prevent Caregiver Burnout

    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

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About

Welcome to Parents of Special Needs Adults,(formerly called Special Needs Adult Caregiving) a podcast for parents and family caregivers of adults with disabilities. If you are raising or caring for an adult child or loved one with special needs, you are in the right place. Host Jenny Olson is a mom of five. Her son is a young adult with autism and an intellectual disability, and he will need care for life. Jenny is not just talking about this topic. She is living it too. This show gives you real answers and resources about adult disability care. We talk about the things other shows skip. Whether your child just turned 18 and is facing that “special needs cliff”, or you have been a caregiver for years, this podcast is for you. Each week, you will hear about topics like: SSI and SSDI benefits for adults with disabilities Medicaid waivers and how to apply Special needs trusts and ABLE accounts Guardianship versus power of attorney Finding disability-friendly doctors What to do when a waiver application gets denied How caregiving affects marriage and family Talking to siblings about future care plans Avoiding caregiver burnout without the guilt You will hear real stories from other caregivers who understand this life. You will hear expert interviews from people who work in these systems every day. And you will walk away with tools you can use right away. Have you ever searched "how to apply for SSI" late at night? Have you felt alone trying to find help for your adult child with special needs? This podcast is for you. Caregiving for a special needs adult is hard. But you do not have to figure it out by yourself. This is more than a podcast. It is a community of parents and family caregivers who understand this life. You are not alone, and you are doing better than you think. Let’s figure this out together!  Subscribe now and join a growing community of caregivers, parents, and disability advocates. New episodes come out every week. Follow us on Instagram

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