# Special needs, disability and neurodivergence

**How would we raise a child with a disability or neurodivergence?**

Talking about how you would handle having a child with a disability or a developmental difference such as autism or ADHD, including work, care and schooling.

In short: Parents choose between 3 main approaches: Not discussed; Principles for work, care and schooling; Detailed plan if a diagnosis arises. Evidence: your call. No outcome evidence picks a winner. Preference, culture, money and logistics decide. Best settled: during pregnancy.

- Area: Legal, financial and "what if" planning
- Evidence: Your call
- Best settled: During pregnancy
- First published: 2026-10-03
- Last updated: 2026-10-05
- Page: https://www.raisingyourchild.com/topics/legal-financial-and-what-if-planning--special-needs-disability-and-neurodivergence

## Special needs, disability and neurodivergence: what are the options?

1. **Not discussed**: You have not talked about it.
2. **Principles for work, care and schooling**: You have agreed in general how work, care and schooling would change.
3. **Detailed plan if a diagnosis arises**: You would make a specific plan for money, care and schooling if your child is diagnosed.

## Special needs, disability and neurodivergence: what does the evidence say?

**Your call.** No outcome evidence picks a winner. Preference, culture, money and logistics decide.

Present in professional frameworks, near-absent in popular lists

Sources:

- [Balance Together](https://www.balancetogether.app/blog/questions-for-couples-before-having-kids)

## What else is worth knowing?

Some children have a disability, a developmental difference such as autism, or a long-term health condition. It can change work, money, schooling and daily life. You cannot plan the details, but you can agree on how you would approach it.

## Questions to ask each other

- What worries us, and what would we want to learn?
- How would we change work and money to care for our child?
- Who would we turn to for support?

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General information, not medical advice. Two parents can each answer this and compare: https://www.raisingyourchild.com/explore?cat=legal-financial-and-what-if-planning&topic=legal-financial-and-what-if-planning--special-needs-disability-and-neurodivergence