Divorce with a special needs or neurodivergent child carries additional considerations.
Divorce is already complicated and overwhelming. Being the parent of a child with special needs, disabilities or neurodivergence is also complicated and, often, overwhelming.
As a mom to a neurodivergent son, Tina has a passion for working with families whose children have additional considerations during this process. Tina can help guide you through this process, giving you the tools to regulate your emotions, make thoughtful decisions, and gain clarity on the financial and long term care needs of your child.
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Tina can work with you either individually or jointly (through mediation).​​
Why am I the right person to guide you through this?
"Yes, I have professional qualifications in divorce mediation/coaching as well as specializations in special needs divorce and neurodiversity, which are all important. Equally as important, I am the mother to a brilliant neurodivergent boy who pushes me to be a better parent every day. I am also the step-parent to two older children and the mother to another young child, who also require my love and attention while balancing the needs of my neurodivergent child.
I am hyper sensitive to the fact that being the parent of a child who does not "fit the typical mold", so to speak, presents new challenges at every turn. From the very beginning - knowing something is different about your child, getting the diagnosis and then trying to understand what that means for your family. To the next chapter, where you are launched into the process of painstakingly curating a routine that works for your child and the rest of your family, through months or years of trial and error. To the never-ending to do list. Doctor appointments, occupational/speech/physical therapy schedules, visual aids, physical devices to improve quality of life, detailed daily routines, meetings with school administrators and advocates, meetings with special needs planners or applications for government assistance. These are just some examples but the list goes on and on and on.
And, then, add divorce into the mix and it can feel downright overwhelming and terrifying. Divorce brings with it a lot of unknowns and the uprooting of this routine you have been working towards for years. Let's not forget the slew of emotional challenges for yourselves as parents, as well as your children.
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If there is anyone who needs a detailed parenting plan and well-thought out financial agreements, it is a family with a special needs child in the mix. Working with a professional who empathizes with the emotional and logistical complexities you are facing is key. Working with a professional who genuinely cares about helping you both, as parents, come together and create an agreement that puts all your children first, is more critical than ever. Preventing conflict is of paramount importance.
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I am passionate about helping special needs families navigate these murky waters of divorce, keep their children top of mind and retain a sense of safety and stability for all their children."
How do I help you navigate divorce with a special needs or neurodivergent child?
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Clarifying and documenting care needs, providers, day-to-day schedules and additional considerations for your children
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Looking at creative timesharing arrangements or step-up parenting plans to work towards a smooth transition
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Designing a detailed parenting plan and letter of intent that will ensure the child's needs are taken care of and understood on a granular level by both parents and all caregivers
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Discussing the needs of all siblings to ensure all of their needs are being met during the divorce negotiations, not only those of the child with special needs or disabilities
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Redefining parental roles and responsibilities
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Working on budgets to address the short term and long term financial needs of the special needs child in order to gain clarity on the financial terms of the divorce
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Discussion of long-term options and/or government programs to help the parents provide for the child's needs
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Discussion of possible vehicles for carrying out financial agreements, such as third or first party trusts
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Working through emotional challenges in letting go of how things were previously done and working towards acceptance of the new "normal"
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Crafting a plan to tell the children about the divorce in a way that will be understood and take into account each child's cognitive abilities
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Creating a solid communication protocol to keep both parents informed and keep all medical/therapeutic information easily accessible to both parents
If you are looking for an idea on where to start, download our FREE guide below!
