<prompt> Human: I began saving for my daughters college education around the time she was born, and by the time she was 3 and diagnosed as autistic, had amassed about 30,000 in a 529 account. I slowed down on the saving at that point, and now shes 12. Although shes high-functioning and doing well in mainstream school with IEP, it looks less and less likely that shell ever go to college; or if she does, it will be something like a community college or a special-needs school.Her 529 has grown at this point to about 50,000. I am thinking about cashing it out and putting it into more flexible vehicles in case we want to use that money for special schooling or into a trust for her. The longer it sits in the 529, the more well have to pay in penalties taxes when we do cash it.Just to anticipate other questions, she does have a sibling older whose college needs are already pretty well funded. I know a 529 can be designated to the education needs of a different family member, but I want this money to go toward my daughters future.What ideas does rpf have for maximizing our use of 50,000 currently sitting in a 529 for a child who will probably not attend an expensive college?  <response>: I am a Disability Services Specialist for a private college that does have a large number of students who are on the autism spectrum. As it was mentioned earlier, dont discount college yet because there are a variety of colleges out there with a number of specialties. In addition, colleges and universities are required to provide supports for students who have been diagnosed with a disability. These support, which can include a variety of accommodations, can allow your daughter, if she chooses to attend college to complete her program with little to no difficulty outside of the actual coursework. I would look at keeping the account and seeing if there is a subject that she excels at during high school under an IEP or 504 plan and look at a school that has a program in that subject AND that has accommodations and services in place to support her while she studies. 