Helping Families Raising Neurodivergent Children Navigate Insurance Planning

Weekly newsletter with actionable tips

Insurance strategies for trust funding

Employer benefits audits & gap analysis

Free planning guides & tools

Looking for 1-on-1 planning?
Michael helps families uncover gaps in employer benefits and existing policies that most advisors miss.

12+

Years in Corporate America

2

Amazing Kids

2,000+

Newsletter Subscribers

100+

Advocacy Talks

20K+

Social Engagements

So happy that I found this resource and community. Lots of tips, and suggestions that have really helped my family.

Parent


Insurance Planning Rooted in Lived Experience

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Identify Coverage Gaps

Most families, whether W-2 employees or self-employed, have gaps in their life insurance, disability, and benefits protection. Michael helps uncover what's missing.

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Fund Special Needs Trusts

Using life insurance strategies to ensure your child's trust is funded, not just set up, but actually funded.

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Protect Government Benefits

Ensure proper beneficiary designation so your child maintains SSI and Medicaid eligibility.

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Collaborate with Your Team

Michael works alongside estate attorneys and specialists to ensure your insurance planning complements your legal strategy.

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Business Exit & Succession Planning

Michael helps business owners navigate exit and succession planning, protecting business value, coordinating with advisors and specialists, and creating insurance strategies that ensure continuity and financial security for their family and employees.

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About The Autism Voyage®

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.



Helpful Education Resources

An Essential Guide for Writing a Letter of Intent for Families with Special Needs

Perfect for families navigating the complexities of planning for a special needs future

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A Beautifully Simple E-Book to Nurturing Special Needs
Siblings

Real-Life Insights to Help You Foster Connection and
Support

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Helpful Education Resources

An Essential Guide for Writing a Letter of Intent for Families with Special Needs

Perfect for families navigating the complexities of planning for a special needs future

+
budget icon

A Beautifully Simple Guide to Nurturing Special Needs
Siblings

Real-Life Insights to Help You Foster Connection and
Support

+
The Autism Voyage

Michael Pereira MBA, CEPA® 

Founder, The Autism Voyage®

Man Behind 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.

Personal Experiences From Our Community Members

  • woman sitting in chair

    Maria

    18 Year old

    The Autism Voyage truly exceeded our expectations. Their financial...
  • image of man with special needs holding stack of books

    Alex

    25 Year old

    I'm grateful for the comprehensive support The Autism Voyage...

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when choosing an insurance planner for my special needs child?

Look for someone who specializes in special needs planning, not just general insurance. They should understand:

  • How to structure beneficiaries to protect government benefits
  • How to fund special needs trusts with life insurance
  • How employer benefits fall short for families with complex needs
  • How to collaborate with estate attorneys and specialists

Most insurance agents don't specialize in this. Make sure yours does.

How soon should I start planning for my child with special needs to ensure their future security?

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.

What funding sources are best for a Special Needs Trust?

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.

What are the consequences of delaying insurance planning for my special needs child?

The main risks:

  • You become uninsurable (health issues make coverage too expensive or unavailable)
  • Your child's trust remains unfunded (set up but empty)
  • Your employer benefits are never audited (gaps remain)
  • Beneficiaries are structured incorrectly (child loses government benefits)

The best time to plan was at diagnosis. The second-best time is now.

How can I ensure my child’s financial security if I were to become incapacitated or unable to provide care?

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.

What steps can I take now to alleviate financial stress and uncertainty for my family in the long term?

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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