How To Address Special Needs Wandering In Collaborative Divorce Agreements
Divorce is challenging, especially when you’re parenting a child with special needs who tends to wander. In Florida, collaborative law offers a unique approach to address these concerns in custody agreements.
The fear of wandering can be constant for parents of special needs children, particularly those with autism. This anxiety often intensifies during divorce, as parents worry about maintaining consistent safety measures across two households. Collaborative law provides a framework for addressing these concerns cooperatively.
Understanding wandering behaviors
Wandering, or elopement, is common among children with certain special needs. It’s not just simple exploration – it can be dangerous, especially in Florida, where many bodies of water exist.
Some facts about wandering to keep in mind include:
- Nearly half of children with autism try to wander from safe settings.
- Drowning is a leading cause of death for children with autism who wander.
- Wandering behaviors can start as early as age 3.
These statistics highlight the need to address wandering behaviors in Florida custody agreements.
Collaborative law’s team approach to safety
Parents work with a team of professionals in a collaborative divorce to create solutions. This team often includes:
- Attorneys for both parents
- A child specialist
- A financial neutral
- A mental health professional
Its multidisciplinary approach ensures comprehensive consideration of your child’s needs, from legal and financial to emotional and developmental.
Creating a wandering-aware custody agreement
A thoughtfully crafted custody agreement can help mitigate wandering risks. Consider including:
- Consistent safety measures: Uniform safety protocols for both households, such as specialized locks or GPS trackers
- Communication protocols: A system for quickly alerting the other parent if a wandering incident occurs
- Respite care plans: Provisions for respite care to support both parents
- Education and training: Requirements for training on preventing and responding to wandering incidents for parents and caregivers
- Regular plan reviews: Scheduled periodic reviews to ensure safety plans remain effective as your child grows
Additionally, you may consider provisions for emergency response plans and coordination with local law enforcement or search and rescue teams.
The collaborative process encourages creative solutions that a traditional court might not consider. For instance, you could also agree to share the cost of a specially trained service dog to help prevent wandering.
Working together allows you to create a custody agreement that addresses legal aspects and provides a comprehensive safety net for your child. This approach can offer peace of mind and foster a positive co-parenting relationship, which is crucial when raising a child with special needs.