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Michael helps families uncover gaps in employer benefits and existing policies that most advisors miss.
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So happy that I found this resource and community. Lots of tips, and suggestions that have really helped my family.
Most families have significant gaps in their life insurance coverage. W-2 employees often rely on employer policies that are capped too low. Self-employed parents may have no coverage at all. Identifying these gaps is critical.
Life insurance is an excellent way to fund your child's trust because it provides predictable funding when structured correctly.
If you own a business and have a neurodivergent child, exit planning must account for both business succession and your child's lifelong care. Insurance strategies can bridge both.
With high percentage of special needs families facing divorce, understanding how to structure life insurance for child support, protect trust funding during asset division, and maintain coverage post-divorce is critical.
Blended families face unique challenges, ensuring all children are protected, structuring beneficiaries fairly, coordinating with ex-spouses, and protecting special needs trusts when multiple families are involved.
Single parents are the sole financial provider and caregiver. Without proper life insurance and disability coverage, there's no backup plan if something happens. Planning is even more critical.
Disclaimer: These are common scenarios, but every family's situation is unique. There are many other planning considerations depending on your circumstances. If you'd like to discuss your specific circumstances, schedule a consultation.
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The Autism Voyage® is an informational and awareness-driven platform helping families raising children with autism, related developmental conditions, and neurodivergent diagnoses navigate daily living challenges and long-term planning. We curate content from expert insights, research, lived experience, and AI-enhanced tools, every piece reviewed for accuracy and relevance through the lens of a parent living this journey.
Founded by Michael Pereira, a father of two (one neurodivergent), we cover practical topics like caregiving, routines, therapies, special needs trusts, insurance strategies, guardianship, and estate planning.
Our mission is simple: Information. Clarity. Awareness.
The Autism Voyage® is an informational platform, not a service provider. However, Michael also offers 1-on-1 insurance planning services separately for families who want personalized guidance on coverage, trust funding, and long-term security.
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Michael Pereira MBA, CEPA®
Founder, The Autism Voyage®
Michael Pereira had it all figured out, a decade in Corporate America, high-stakes deals, climbing the ladder. Then in 2022, his son was diagnosed with autism, and suddenly none of that mattered. The most important question became: What happens to my son when I'm not here? That question led Michael into the world of special needs planning, where he quickly realized how many families were asking the same thing but getting no real answers. So he left corporate life and founded The Autism Voyage®, a platform dedicated to helping families raising neurodivergent children navigate long-term planning with clarity, not fear.
Today, Michael helps families build financial security through life insurance strategies, special needs trusts, and benefits protection, bringing both lived experience as an autism dad and professional expertise to every conversation.
Maria
18 Year old
Alex
25 Year old
The best time to start was at diagnosis. The second-best time is now. Here's why: (1) You're insurable today but might not be in 5 years, (2) The longer you wait, the more you pay for coverage, (3) Your child's trust remains unfunded while you "plan to plan." Most families wait 2-3 years after diagnosis to start, and many regret the delay when they realize what they could have locked in earlier.
Life insurance is often the most reliable and predictable. Other options like real estate, investments, or savings work, but they're less certain and harder to access when needed, in some cases. Most families use life insurance as the primary funding mechanism and supplement with other assets as available.
The main risks:
The best time to plan was at diagnosis. The second-best time is now.
Focus on three things: (1) Disability Income Insurance to replace your income if you can't work, (2) Life insurance structured to fund your child's special needs trust, and (3) A Letter of Intent documenting your child's needs and routines. Most families only have #2, but all three are critical if you become incapacitated.
Start by auditing what you already have: (1) Review your employer and/or existing life insurance and disability coverage for gaps, (2) Check if your beneficiaries are structured correctly, (3) Confirm your special needs trust is set up AND funded, (4) Create a Letter of Intent documenting your child's needs. Most families think they're covered but discover 2-3 major gaps when they actually review everything.
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Financial services for families with special needs, founded by an experienced parent.
Disclaimer: The Autism Voyage® does not endorse any external companies, products, services, or professionals.
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