Parents of children with special needs strive to ensure their needs are met far into the future. You document your children’s medical history, advocate for them, secure caregivers, meet with educators and doctors, and draft wills, trusts and guardianship with lawyers and financial planners. In addition to planning for the future, you also need to use the time that you have now to teach your child skills that will help him be as independent as possible so that he can thrive throughout his lifetime.