Ryan F. Platt

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Ryan Platt

Ryan F. Platt, MBA, ChFC, ChSNC, completed his Special Care Planner Certification in 2005 at the American College in Bryn Mawr, PA, in which he received advanced training in estate and tax planning, special needs trusts, government programs, and the emotional dynamics of working with people and families with special needs loved ones. In 2013, he went on to complete the Chartered Special Needs Consultant designation. A pioneer in his field, Ryan is one of only a few planners certified through Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and the American College in Special Care Planning in Charlotte. He is the founder of A Special Needs Plan.

New Study Reveals Support Gap For People With Special Needs

United Cerebral Palsy and the ANCOR Foundation released their The Case for Inclusion 2019 report that analyzed how well state programs, especially Medicaid, are meeting the needs of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The study did find some continued positive changes including the move away from institutions into community living; however, the study also […]

Funding for a Lifetime of Needs With Autism is Critical

Two new studies were released, one published in the Journal of JAMA Pediatrics and one by the federal government, at the end of 2018 that confirmed that one in 40 children ages three to 17 are diagnosed with autism. This prevalence has increased from one in 150 children in 18 short years. As with many […]

Prepare Now: Teenagers With Autism Are Becoming Adults

According to statistics, an estimated 500,000 teenagers diagnosed with autism will become adults over the next 10 years. As the rate of diagnosis continues to climb (1 in 125 in 2004, 1 in 59 US births in 2018), preparations must be made, not only by families but by our communities as well. Currently, nearly half […]

Reaching Your Special Needs Financial Goals in the New Year

As 2019 begins, it arrives with optimism and excitement to start fresh, set goals, create action plans, and work to accomplish those goals. For so many of us, we begin the year with such great intentions, but we don’t always end the year reaching the goals that we set. Why is that the case? Ciara […]

How Can I Best Gift Money to Someone With Special Needs?

Question: “As the holidays approach, I have been asked by my parents how they can gift money to my son with autism? Can I tell them to give it to him directly or is there something specific I need to do?” Thank you for this question. Our planners hear this question quite a bit especially […]

Improving Lifestyles and Planning for Tomorrow with Special Needs

All parents want their children to live wonderful lives, and they do all they can to make that a reality. As your child with autism becomes an adult, that journey can become more and more challenging. It can become difficult to find services, to find a primary care provider who understands your adult child’s needs, […]

Special Needs Planning for Tomorrow: One Gooooaaaal!

The FIFA World Cup captured the world’s attention this past summer as soccer has become the most popular sport on the planet. As I was enjoying the spectacular games, I realized that soccer has one goal: To end the game with more goals scored than the opponent. I know this seems obvious, but many times […]

Good News on the Horizon With Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

The 2014 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act opened the door for young people with disabilities to be evaluated for regular work in the community before being steered toward subminimum wage jobs. This Act has transformed the options available for those with disabilities when they age out of the educational system. In Minnesota, the number of […]

Rising Care Costs Can Affect Long-Term Support With Special Needs

Lifetime support for an individual with a disability requires people. This statement may sound obvious; however, in planning for an individual’s future, the people who will care for them are rarely discussed in detail. Special Needs Planning often stops after the discussion of a Special Needs Trust, future guardians, and government benefits. It is common […]

How Do ABLE Accounts and Third Party Special Needs Trust Compare?

Could you compare, from a high level, ABLE accounts and a Third Party Special Needs Trust? From a high-level perspective, ABLE accounts and Third Party Special Needs Trust are the same in one main way, any money positioned in these accounts are not counted as a resource when an individual with a disability applies for […]

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