Bassos Consulting Group · Time-Sharing Framework
Parenting Plans That Actually Work
What Florida Attorneys Must Know When Crafting Time-Sharing Plans for Children with Autism, Behavioral Disorders & Developmental Disabilities
Florida’s 2023 presumption of equal time-sharing is rebuttable — but only with a compelling, evidence-based argument. This 8-page resource gives you the clinical framework, plan-drafting checklists, and deviation arguments you need when a 50/50 schedule is not in the child’s best interest.
Format: PDF
Length: 8 pages
Audience: Florida family law attorneys, GALs, mediators
Focus: ASD, behavioral disorders, developmental disabilities
Why this resource exists
For neurotypical children in cooperative co-parenting, a 2/2/5 schedule may work. For a child with autism, frequent transitions, two sensory environments, and inconsistent behavioral protocols can derail regulation, disrupt ABA therapy, and trigger regression. Attorneys who treat the parenting plan as a scheduling document instead of a behavioral and therapeutic prescription are leaving their clients — and the child — exposed.
What’s inside
Florida’s §61.13 presumption decodedWhat the 2023 equal time-sharing presumption does — and does not — require for special-needs children.
The 2/2/5 schedule under the microscopeFeature-by-feature behavioral science analysis of the most common rotating schedule.
Routine & environmental consistencyDaily schedule alignment, transition protocols, sensory accommodations, visual supports.
Therapy & ABA continuitySchedule protection, caregiver training obligations, BIP implementation, BCBA oversight.
Medical, psychiatric & medicationAdministration, appointment attendance, crisis protocols, decision-making authority, feeding plans.
Educational decision-makingIEP participation, school district jurisdiction, ESY services, homework support.
Inter-parental communicationData sharing, designated platforms, response times, behavioral incident notification.
Arguing for deviation from 50/50Evidence to gather, experts to engage, arguments to make.
Attorney checklist30+ item pre-finalization checklist covering schedule, behavior, education, medical, communication.
Critical for attorneys: The 2/2/5 schedule, applied without clinical modification for a child with ASD, can constitute an environment that is contrary to the child’s best interests — regardless of its legal presumption. Be prepared to argue for deviation with clinical evidence.
You’ll be able to
- Draft parenting plan provisions that are specific, enforceable, and clinically defensible
- Identify and argue for deviation from the 50/50 presumption with documented clinical support
- Protect ABA, speech, OT, and medication continuity across both households
- Spot the gaps in opposing counsel’s draft before they become post-decree litigation
- Use the built-in attorney checklist to pressure-test every plan before signing
- Know exactly when and how to engage a BCBA expert at each stage of your case
“A parenting plan is not just a scheduling document for a special needs child. It is a behavioral and therapeutic prescription.”
About the author
Jamie Bassos, MS, BCBA, LBA, ACC
Board Certified Behavior Analyst · Licensed Behavior Analyst (Florida) · ICF-Certified Executive Coach
25+ years in autism and behavioral science. Expert witness services, case consultation, record review, and written opinions for family law cases involving autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities. Serving Florida & national cases.
“The autism expert that legal teams hire.”
Get Parenting Plans That Actually Work
Instant PDF download. Keep it on your desk for every time-sharing negotiation, mediation, and trial prep.
This resource is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. For case-specific consultation, contact Bassos Consulting Group.
