Anyone have any experience with applying for their state's Community Living Waiver under Medicaid? (They are called different names in different states, but basically it is funding through Medicaid geared toward helping a child with mental or developmental disabilities get services like speech therapy, OT, etc). My question is, by applying, would I make my child 'look' like he has a disability and ruin his future job prospects (he is autistic)? I am concerned this may be an issue if he makes a lot of progress in the intervening years.

I'll have to ask my mom about this. My brother is in college now, but was in his special education school until about 21 working on life skills. He actually had jobs but was getting services as a part of his public school education, which you can graduate out of at 21.

Personally, I would not worry about applying for services. He will need all the services he can get. Reputable employers and HR personnel know about legal hiring practices. If your son interns for jobs in the future he will establish contacts he can use as references. I know my brother did well in that area as someone who was a good worker and enjoyable to work with.

There may not be many, but there are good schools that spend a great deal of time working with young adults with special needs. My brother was at a place in upstate NY called Wildwood. The programs were incredible. He graduated last summer with 16 students I believe. While all didn't go on to college, many had jobs that were suitable based on their level of life-skills and accomplishments. For me, I can't look that far ahead for my daughters, but I know that I have to do the best I can now and not worry about how others view them in the future.