About

Speaking with a Professional

A Coach Who Also has an Adult Child with Special Needs

Online sessions are convenient from anywhere in the US. Working with a coach who is also licensed as a psychotherapist has its advantages. The benefits for you are that someone will finally listen to your whole story and you can share what you need to share about the feelings that go with the experience of raising a child with special needs into adult hood.

Learning about the systems in your area with the help and guidance of a coach is easier than trying to do it on your own. Housing, adult supervision, becoming a guardian or a Power of Attorney, finding housing are all the essential parts of helping your adult child. Joint sessions with your child are done periodically but this service is for you and for your support.

You’ve been putting your child’s needs ahead of your own for many years. Your own needs may have come last. It’s time to focus on your health and wellbeing so that you can be the best advocate for your child.

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Feel supported

Through this chapter of your journey

After sharing your story along with your current challenges, you will begin to feel relief and less overwhelmed. You will have a guide to walk you through the steps that are essential to take now. This might involve working with a lawyer in your state to set up the necessary legal documents, doing applications for social security disability, applying for Medicaid, and perhaps visits to programs or supervised housing programs.

Here to offer Support to you and your family

Meet Debbie Simon, MSW, LCSW, LLC

Hi, my name is Debbie Simon. I’m originally from New York and later lived in Boston, Tokyo and then CT. I’ve lived in Tucson AZ for the last 7 years with my son, Mark who is now 33 years old. After many attempts at finding help for him after the age of 21, he now lives with me in a house that offers him his own living space. This is a long term plan but eventually he will have to live in a supervised housing situation. 

I worked as a independently licensed clinical social worker for 35 years. Throughout my career I was exposed to clients and families with similar situations. Everyone’s situation was unique and different. Needs varied. Support systems varied quite a bit. I often worried about my son’s future and doctors and teachers would tell me “not to worry, he’ll go to college and he’ll be independent”. Those words were never helpful because I knew that it wasn’t true and it was invalidating. The services needed weren’t always available. Living in 3 different states with my son provided different services depending on where we lived. Most of the help he got was private pay help. There were some wonderful camps and lifeskills workshops and social skills groups along the way. After the age of 21, all of his needs were met by paying out of pocket. 

profile picture of Deborah Simon
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For children on the autism spectrum who do qualify for Medicaid, there are some good options across the US now. As my son got older his needs changed. Based on my training and experience in the field of social work I was able to navigate the many complex systems to put many things in place for him. In 2013 I was diagnosed with cancer but am doing great now health wise. The cancer was a wakeup call. I had to have some things legally put into place and fortunately there was a very good special needs lawyer in my area at that time who put everything into place for my son. Again, everyone’s situation is different and each city and state offers different resources. 

It’s been my observation that the resources available don’t support the parents. The organizations that exist now are helpful to parents but speaking with professionals that have not lived this themselves can be frustrating at times.  

My goal at this stage in my life is to help the parents of adult children on the autism spectrum and those with adult children with special needs. I’ve climbed over many obstacles but have arrived at a peaceful and content place in my life. My son, Mark is doing well. He lives with me and works part time. He has a good work history and references for the future. It’s turned out in our case that he is best served by living at home with me in his own space within the house. Acceptance was key to my mental health. Accepting him as he is and allowing him to be who he his has been key to my peace of mind.  

I hope to hear your stories and see if I can help you navigate the systems in your area as you put your plan into place. Limit setting, breaking old patterns, and selfcare will be part of our work together. 

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