Raising a child comes with a wide range of responsibilities and emotions. For parents of a child with a disability, this can enhance the responsibilities and emotions while also including some challenges related to the disability. Thus, when parents of a child with disabilities divorces, there is much to consider when it comes to creating a parenting plan that best fits the ongoing needs their child requires.
Divorcing with a child with disabilities
While a divorce will cause disruptions to a parent’s life, it could significantly impact the day-to-day aspects of caring for a child with disabilities. This is especially true if each parent was responsible for certain care or tasks. It could quickly get overwhelming for a parent to take on everything during their placement. Therefore, it is imperative that one consider certain factors when creating a custody plan involving a child living with disabilities.
Best interests of the child
In order to meet the best interests of the child, the following five factors should be considered. Determine if the living arrangements will change. Changing living environments can be challenging for any child. This can be even more emotional and even traumatic for a child to change between households. If accessibility is an issue, it is important that both households are equipped with those alterations.
Next, the issue of medical care should be discussed. Bills could be extensive for ongoing care and treatment, making it important that this is addressed during the divorce process. Third, parents should consider how the custody plan could impact the medical appointments required by the child. Flexibility to meet this need might be necessary.
Fourth, parents need to ensure that their information is updated with the parties that might require it. This could include medical professionals, educators and others that work with or care for the child. Finally, parents should understand how the divorce could impact the child emotionally. It is not only important to prepare the child for the divorce process but to also understand how to address the situation if it elevates to a concerning level.
Caring for a child with disabilities can come with a wide range of challenges. Thus, when parents divorce, this can further complicate the situation. It is important to consider the needs of the child, how they can be met and the best interests of the children. This could help divorcing parents reach a custody plan that works for everyone involved.