Raising a Special Needs Child
At The Mediation Group, we understand that parenting a special needs child is both rewarding and can be a full-time job, especially when disagreements arise between you and your child’s co-parent regarding the child’s education and well-being. For example: Your child might be diagnosed with a mental health or developmental disorder, and in turn, their physician may recommend medication and their school district may recommend an individual educational plan (IEP).
While you may want to move forward with medication and the IEP, your co-parent may believe there is nothing wrong with your child, that medication is ineffective, or that the IEP will stigmatize your child. You might also disagree over issues like preschool intervention, placing your child in an outside district, vocational programs, or providing resources and housing for your adult child.
Regardless of what you’re facing, our team is here to help you through this process every step of the way. The first step is a phone call. After that initial conversation, one of our highly experienced mediators will reach out to learn more about you and your unique situation and guide you through our process. Once both parties agree to mediation, we can then schedule the first session.
What to Expect During Family Mediation?
We are here to provide you with support in co-creating a realistic, compassionate plan to forge a path forward for you, your child, and your child’s co-parent; whether you are together or not.
Our mediation sessions are conducted by two mediators with complementary experience related to raising a special needs child. We know that new issues often arise when raising and providing care for your child with special needs, and when they do, we are here to provide whatever support you may need.
How Much Does Family Mediation Cost?
Unlike the tedious, impersonal, and costly experience of handling disputes in an administrative or court proceeding, our services cost $650 / hour for each session. There is an additional cost of $450 / hour for drafting a document reflecting your decisions. Plus, you have the assurance that each mediation session will be time-efficient and handled in a civil, respectful environment.
Divorce Mediation and Parenting Plans
TMG mediators help divorced parents negotiate their children's developmental changes or other issues, such as step-parenting, that occur in the years after divorce.
Post-Divorce Mediation
TMG mediators help divorced parents negotiate their children's developmental changes or other issues, such as step-parenting, that occur in the years after divorce.
Nontraditional Family Mediation
Mediation is particularly well suited for resolving conflicts arising from gay or lesbian family structures, an area in which the legal framework is often poorly defined.
Parent/Child Conflict Mediation
Mediation can provide support to both teen and parent and can model respectful communication, boundary setting and negotiation skills during this often difficult transitional stage.
Mediation for Adult Siblings
Disputes over estate division, or use of family homes, are common after the death of a parent. The Mediation Group can help prevent these disputes from causing irreparable divisions within an extended family.
Family Business Mediation
Tensions around navigating business decisions within the context of family dynamics can be very tricky, particularly when it comes to issues of succession. TMG's family mediators work with colleagues from both the legal and organizational practices to address the complex issues surrounding family business disputes, enabling families to work together productively through these challenges.
Retirement Mediation
This period in life requires a continuous process of emotional readjustment. TMG professionals can help the retiree and family members navigate this often difficult life transition.
Health Care, Elder Care and End-of-Life Decisions
Working through painful moments that come from an aging parent’s diminished capacity can be tremendously divisive for adult siblings, at a time when working together is so important for both the parent and the children. Mediation can be a valuable resource.
Our Experts Specializing in Couples & Family
