Nobody likes to attach a dollar amount to the joys of raising a child, but the fact remains that it can be quite expensive. This is especially true when it comes to raising a child with special needs. In fact, one study funded by Autism Speaks estimated the average lifetime cost to be $1.4 million for a person affected by autism. And that’s to say nothing of the other forms of special needs, which can include blindness, Down syndrome and ADHD.

With planning and preparation, you can help to ensure your child has the help they need, now and for the future. There are lots of organizations and services out there that can make the cost more manageable. In this guide, we’ll walk through some of the steps you can take to help you provide for your child. With this information — and the help of qualified professionals — you’ll have the tools necessary to make informed decisions for your child’s future.

Read the article, by Brian Robson on The Simple Dollar, here.