Kevin McClelland
Financial Planning Expert and Advocate for Autism Support. Kevin is dad to Ian, who was diagnosed with Autism at 15. ABLE funds were used to supplement daily life activities, including transportation, travel, mobile technology, and supportive medical equipment.
“Planning isn’t just about money—it’s about giving families peace of mind and options for the future”
Like many parents of children with developmental delays, our early years were a whirlwind of IEP meetings and navigating the school system. Ian seemed unique in his abilities and had an underlying pure heart, yet it wasn’t until he reached age 15—when the school system began addressing post-graduation goals—that we received a formal autism diagnosis.
While the diagnosis provided much-needed clarity, it also started a short countdown. We realized we had only a narrow window to prepare Ian for the complexities of adulthood with autism. We were hit with a “firehose” of information: endless waiting lists, complex state programs, and a mountain of applications. It was overwhelming, even for someone comfortable with paperwork.
The transition period introduced new concerns about financial stability, independence, healthcare, housing, and maintaining quality of life. Determined to build a secure future for Ian, I began applying both personal experience and professional knowledge to better understand the financial tools available to individuals with disabilities and their families.
In 2021, following Ian’s high school graduation, I took a pivotal step by converting the remaining balance of his 529 college savings plan into an ABLE account through the Kansas-sponsored program, later utilizing ABLEnow. We chose growth-oriented investment strategies, allowing the funds to continue growing tax-free over time. The ABLE account helped stretch our family’s savings and supplemented Ian’s daily life in ways traditional benefits could not. By covering his mobile phone service, enabling family travel, and providing specialized supportive equipment, the account helped Ian experience the world more fully.
Ian passed away in February 2026 at the age of 24. While our time with him was far too short, the ABLE account provided tax-free savings growth that helped fund his medical and living expenses, allowing us to focus on what truly mattered: his quality of life and our time together.