What’s next?
Transition planning for young adults
By Randy Pinsky
For parents of children with special needs, the question of
‘what’s next’ is constantly on their mind, but never as paramount as when their
child ‘ages out’ of the school system.
What options are available for parents? And how can they
best prepare themselves and their young adults so that the transition is as
seamless and beneficial as possible?
The event featured speakers representing various aspects of
the transition planning spectrum. Following a welcome by Inspirations’
Wendy Singer and Manulife’s Marla
Vineberg, Nathan Leibowitz, senior
investment advisor at Manulife Securities,
described how financial planning is critical for long-term security and care. One
main way is through the federally instated Registered Disability Savings Plan
(RDSP).
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Nathan Leibowitz, Lenore Vosberg, Darrah Virgo at the EMSB on March 1.
|
By applying to be curators, guardians can manage their young
adult’s (over the age of 18) financial affairs and benefit from government
matching savings plans, as well as tax credits and deductions on specialized expenses.
With the proper financial planning, Leibowitz emphasized, parents can have the
“peace of mind” knowing their child’s long-term needs will be covered.
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| Linda Mastroianni speaks at the EMSB on March 1. |
President and founder of Speaking Autism Linda Mastroianni shared how her personal experience inspired her
to assist others navigate what can be a daunting system. She emphasized the need
to build a ‘transition team’ with the various actors integral to the young
adult’s life. This collaboration is critical for evaluating options and strategizing
for long and short term goals, adapting and revising as necessary. Most importantly, however, is for the individual to be at
the center of the planning, sharing their own visions for the future.
Mastroianni was followed by Lenore Vosberg, founder and director of the Centre for the Arts in Human Development. A creative arts
therapy, educational and research center for adults with developmental disabilities
at Concordia University, it recently celebrated its 20the
anniversary with ‘A Night
at the Oscar’. Vosberg noted the dramatic changes many have witnessed in student
behavior, interpersonal relations, and most importantly, self-confidence over
the years.
The event culminated with a personal testimony by Darrah Virgo, mother of a 28-year-old
son with autism. She related how changes develop upon reaching eighteen years
of age, be it specialized services or access to grants, necessitating parents
to apply for curatorship. Although she noted more resources are needed, she has
been grateful for the respite care and Special Olympics programs that are so
integral to her son’s sense of purpose.
The audience left feeling empowered and better equipped for
this eventual step in transition planning. It is through being aware of the available
options that one can best navigate the system, and assist young adults to choose
the most meaningful path for their future.
Thank you to Marla Vineberg, Linda Mahler, all of our speakers and exhibitors, and to all that attended!
Join us on Friday, March 17 as we raise funds for Team Inspirations, Scotia Bank Charity Challenge! If you can't make it but would like to donate to Inspirations, we welcome your contribution. You can make a secure online donation right here:
https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?SID=(!SolicitationID)&LangPref=en-CA&EID=207482
In assisting others to navigate what can often be a complex
system, parents are empowered and better prepared for the next step in their
families’ lives. Such a resource effectively responds to a pronounced need, and
will serve to alleviate much of the anxiety and ‘unknowns’ many grapple with. 
