Neurodivergent Legal Assistance Program

The Neurodivergent Program provides legal advice and representation to neurodivergent children/young adults, their families and caregivers.  

Often a guardian advocate needs to be appointed when a neurodiverse person turns eighteen years old. Upon becoming an adult, the parent no longer has the legal ability to make decisions for them.  To qualify for a guardianship advocacy the person must have a syndrome or disorder that affects decision making ability in some but not all areas of daily life. Not all neurodiverse persons need a legal guardian. One is necessary if the person lacks the decision making ability to make necessary decisions in areas such as healthcare or education. 

The program does not provide legal representation for individuals that require a court finding of incapacity. Rather this program is for neurodiverse individuals that require some help but can still take care of some of their daily needs. 

The goal of the program is to provide counsel to families and caregivers regarding all legal options available to them from the least restrictive alternative to the most restrictive alternative. In certain instances, a supported decision making agreement or power of attorney is sufficient to provide the necessary support for the neurodiverse individual without need of a court-appointed guardian advocate.