I do not think Michael is ever going to get a diagnosis. Of anything... I guess I should be glad that it is looking like he on the tip of the ASD scale. But it is enough that I cannot find a suitable daycare that will take him. I wanted to get a job for when he is in school, but it would have to literally be Tues-Friday and never on snow days or holidays. I was hoping there would be a school job open but I have not found one yet.
I met a woman at the laundromat the other day who has a son who is 11 and severe Autism. You can never tell by looking at him. But he is mentally a 3-4 year old. She is from Texas, and said she got SSI for him long before a diagnosis just because he received speech therapy. Anybody else get SSI before a diagnosis?
I mean all these kids who have ADHD and take a pill and seem totally normal can get SSI, why is it so hard for me to figure this out?
Ma is talking about getting me a cheap car because with her new job it is very hard for me to keep up with Michael's appointments and such. And if he gets sick or anything she cannot really leave work at times to go get him. And me having no car makes it even harder. She seems to think that she is going to get a check with all her unused sick pay with her last check. I guess I never worked anywhere where I had sick pay so I do not know, but it all sounds too good to be true. Even if she can get me the little Saturn I am wishing for, I cannot even afford to put gas in the car. Which is why I need the SSI. I do not have enough nice cars to get a decent type job. I do not want to be stuck back in fast food, and I do not even know if my manager at Burger King will hire me back for 11-2 Tues-Thurs and never on snow days or holidays. Unless it is a job who gives uniforms I am screwed on clothes.
I did see an ad in the paper for IN HOME daycare for an 8 year old high functioning ASD girl. I almost called. But with Michael and such. If they are still needed help after Michael starts school, I may call and ask about it and explain about Michael and maybe I can do a trial period where I take Michael with me ect. Just maybe. Michael is not abusive except towards the neighbor girl who has been whapping on him for 2 years and he finally started hitting back.
But any ideas about the SSI? I need the help :(
In my job as a mental health
In my job as a mental health counselor and social worker for a non-profit agency, I have helped a lot of adults with severe mental illnesses apply for SSI and SSDI benefits. Now, I don't know what it's like trying to get SSI for a child with a disability, but for many of my adult clients, it took a lot of persistence and repeated attempts before they finally were granted benefits. So I guess the best advice I can offer you is to just keep pushing. Don't give up! The wheels of government bureaucracy sometimes turn so slowly that you may wonder if they are moving at all, but hang in there.
I read on the SSI form that
I read on the SSI form that they only count 2/3rds of child care payments as income. I am SURE you will qualify regarding the income requirements. So now all you need is to convince them of your son's current disability. You know, maybe you could take some of that check that your mom is going to be getting and pay privately for an independent evaluation. That way you will have something definite to point to regarding a diagnosis. That first SSI check should cover the cost of the evaluation so you can pay your mom back.
Yeah Ma is not getting that
Yeah Ma is not getting that check. I kept telling her it was too good to be true and I looked it up finally. But NOOOO Holly does not know anything until AFTER I am proved right. But I see Barb I think the 26th, I will have to look it up and I am going to ask her straight out what I am going to be able to get for Michael because this is not working for me anymore. I cannot do therapy and appointments much longer. Just because of transportation issues. The Saturn I want is 1995 which includes Tax Title and Registration. If I could just get a grant for 2 grand I would be set partially. Ma insists she can pay for insurance since I have a clean record, and can help with Gas. With a car I have half a hope of getting a job. And with a PDD diagnosis, just maybe I can get a daycare to give him a chance. Maybe... I am going to go to sleep thinking... MAYBE
Good thinkin Nicole!! You
Good thinkin Nicole!! You need the actual diagnosis to get anywhere.
I just copied and pasted
I just copied and pasted this from social securitys site........ dealing with them is frustrating!!!
Complete your application for SSI disability benefits by calling our toll free number (1-800-772-1213) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and making an appointment. You may choose to apply for benefits either by phone or in person at a local Social Security office. One of our representatives will help you apply for the benefits.
OK, this may help you but it
OK, this may help you but it is written for Californians. It is the Protection and Advocacy website soon to be "Disability Rights California" website. They have a links page and on it is some info about SSI. Basically, it says to research your rights before you approach the SSI office because most of the time the workers there will give you misinformation.
http://www.pai-ca.org/issues/government.htm
Hi Nicole, Where you been
Hi Nicole, Where you been girl mmm? We've got some newbies =0)
uhg, very few services this
uhg, very few services this week, must entertain Wyatt 24/7, hard 2 get on computer
Oh okay lol.
Oh okay lol.
Uh let me see....... first
Uh let me see....... first of all not all kids with adhd get SSI. Parents have to qualify financially
but in your case that shouldnt be a problem. Even still SSI isnt that much. Marcels check can
be anywhere from $300 to $400 a month. SSI first, and if your state is like Tx then medicaid
comes along with the SSI. Does Michael get private speech or through the school? With private
therapy you have to have the diagnosis and SSI first so they'll get paid. Im thinking a big part
of your "problem" is Michael acts more aspergers and kids with aspergers dont get as much help.
Hope that helped a little at least =)
Michael's Therapy is paid by
Michael's Therapy is paid by Medicaid and is through the hospital here. He also gets Speech Therapy at school. I know all kids with ADHD do not get ssi, but enough of them do to make it stupid Michael does not. Michael does not have Aspergers. Aspergers children have high verbal skills. Michael has the skills of a 2 year old, young 3 at the most. He cannot say his name, cannot explain he is lost, or say where his Mommy is if he gets lost. He cannot explain where he lives. He cannot comprehend things. If you ask him what color a character on tv was wearing, he does not know how to answer. I have been told twice there is no way Michael will ever get an Asperger's diagnosis.
I think you also forget, I live on less than 300 dollars a month. Even a check for 25 bucks a month would help.
I wish I could help you, but
I wish I could help you, but SSI and health care are areas where things are so different between Canada and the US that my knowledge is of no use to you at all.
As for a diagnosis - Michael sounds so much like my son was at his age, that I would venture to guess his diagnosis should be similar to my son's (i.e. PDD-NOS, aka atypical autism) or potentially even high-functioning autism I'm sure you know this already, but just in case - The DSM-IV criteria for an autism diagnosis is available all over the Net.
It took a long time for the psychologists and other pros working with my son to come to any sort of consensus and, for awhile, the only thing they would agree on was that he was not hearing impaired and had a significant language delay. To illustrate how ridiculous things got at one point - one psychiatrist even suggested it was constipation (and he wrote a report all but blatantly accusing me of "fishing" for a diagnosis of autism to access services and of not fully understanding the consequences of an autism diagnosis). At the same time, another psychologist was berating me for not accepting his diagnosis of autism. I tell you, I never felt more caught in the middle in all my life.
I know you originally had hopes for an MR Waiver. I honestly don't know the criteria for such a waiver, but for several years, my son repeatedly scored in the MR range on some tests, but above average on others. He still scores well below average on some language-based tests. Despite his significant progress, he has been "reaffirmed" as being on the ASD spectrum as recently as two years ago.
I know it's tough, but keep pushing - for some sort of diagnosis as well as for SSI coverage. Lord knows you need it. Also, keep as many work-related alternatives open as you can and stay as positive as possible. I know it might be cold comfort, but please know also that I regularly keep you and Michael in my prayers.
You know the more I think
You know the more I think about it, and with what you have just said, Michael is very similar to your son. Which does give me hopes for the future. I want Michael to be high functioning. I may look up alot of the PDD-NOS and bring it up in 2 weeks when he sees the clinic again. And maybe if I have to break down in tears because I need something to help... I cannot cry in front of people very well, but maybe I can manage to let my guard down.
I found this site that sort
I found this site that sort of translates the DSM-IV into less complicated terminology.
http://www.bbbautism.com/diagnostics_psychobabble.htm
It has a little more detailed than usual description of how a PDD-NOS diagnosis is derived out the the criteria for "autistic disorder."
OOO thank you. I am printing
OOO thank you. I am printing that as we speak. I am also going to print some other things and sit and high-light things that fit Michael to present to the nurse practitioner who sees Michael in two weeks.
mmmm I dont know what to
mmmm I dont know what to tell ya. And by the way I didnt know kids with ADHD could even
get medicaid. I'd call social security and see whats holding everything up.