As if it isn’t heartbreaking enough to find out your child has health conditions or disabilities, finding out that you can’t provide them with everything that they need can be down right overwhelming. Most people do not understand what all goes into loving and caring for special needs children. With poor or no health insurance coverage, the medical costs can drive a family to bankruptcy. I’m the mother of a six year old boy with Trisomy 8, XYY Syndrome and Autism. I’ve been through the legal and financial run-arounds in my quest to care for my child. If you’re just now finding yourself in a similar situation or know a family who is, read on for steps you can take to get your child the assistance he or she deserves.

The first step is to obtain good health insurance for your child. When you are taking care of a child with special needs there could be hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical expenses in your future. It isn’t just the cost of doctors and specialists; it’s hospitals, surgeries, medications, medical equipment, mobility aids and so much more. Good insurance is crucial. What do you do if you don’t have good insurance? Most states have free or low cost insurance plans for families in need such as Medicaid and All Kids. If your child has special needs, many states will amend the rules to take into consideration the extra healthcare costs of special needs children. If this isn’t an option in your state, there are some other things you may be able to do. Contact local charity organizations and ask if they have any grants for medical equipment or care. Check to see if your state has non-profit hospitals for children with major healthcare needs. If your child doesn’t already have a social worker with an organization like Children’s Rehabilitation Service, make an appointment to get one. These people can help you find ways to get free or low cost health care assistance.

The second step is to consider seeking government financial assistance for your child to help offset the cost of their care. When my son was a baby, I was a very young single mother trying to provide for him the best that I could. Luckily, I found out that he qualified for social security benefits (SSI). They sent a check every month to ensure that he got everything that he needed. Contact the Social Security Administration to see if your child qualifies. Income plays a factor in eligibility for SSI benefits. Your family must fall below a certain amount for your child to qualify. When I later got married, my son’s benefits were stopped because of my husband’s good income.

Therapy, intervention and rehabilitation are things that are highly important to the development of a special needs child. Contact your local board of education to find out about early childhood intervention and early preschool services. These services are provided at no cost and can include speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, special education and more.

Knowing where and how to obtain the medical equipment your child needs can be an overwhelming task if you haven’t any guidance. Your child’s doctor should be able to help with most of this, but sometimes the doctor only writes a prescription for a service but does not tell you where to obtain it. My son still wears diapers, and at 6 years old you can’t buy diapers that large anywhere but through a medical supply company. If this is the case with your child, contact your insurance provider and ask what medical supplies are covered. They will be able to tell you what companies to go to. Diapers can be delivered to your house on a monthly basis through most incontinence supply companies. Should your child need a wheelchair, cane, walker or any other type of durable medical equipment, you can find these items at medical supply stores. Call around first to see which stores will work with your insurance. If you don’t have insurance, and couldn’t qualify for Medicaid or All Kids, find out what piece of equipment your child needs and submit a request for assistance to a charitable organization like The Lions’ Club.

The final step, and the most important thing to keep in mind, is to be your child’s biggest advocate. Don’t let anyone tell you that your child can’t do something or that they can’t have something they need. I have developed quite the reputation as one hot headed mama here in my town. My baby gets what my baby needs and I don’t let anyone or anything stand in the way of that. Stay strong and never soften your resolve. Your child can’t stand up for themselves, so it’s your responsibility to. And don’t ever be afraid to ask for help.