Dx and social security
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Dx and social security
| Thu, 07-14-2005 - 3:56pm |
At the evaluation for steve, through the school system (early childhood intervention), it was recommended to us to get an medical Dx. This was so he could get "other services" and finacial assistance for him. Does anyone know what is best? What is your opinion? So far he is high functioning autistic/Asperger, according to the school system. Is the medical Dx necessary? His neurologist cannot give the Dx so we will have to see one out of town who can, then it may take about a year to be seen , if she will see you. The doctour sends out a packet of questions and release forms and evaluates it; then decides if your child is worth seeing or not. If so, then an appointment is scheduled for sometime in the next year. This is confusing and depressing as I only want to do the right thing. I sometimes feel like we are not doing enough. What type of theropist or doctour can give us offical Dx?

First, I don't know why his neurologist can't give a diagnosis. Does the Neuro not know ASD's and is deferring to another. My kids see a neuro and not a psychiatrist to follow thier ASD's because it is neurological.
Ok, well, first getting services under a medical DX may vary with where you live. If you could tell us what state you are in or even if you are in the states, then a mom local to your state or area might be better equipped to tell you what you need in that regard.
For instance, in California the extra services are provided by the regional centers for developmental disabilities. And honestly, a medical dx won't really do you a bit of good because they insist on doing thier own intake and eval most times anyway. Plus having "Asperger'" or "PDD-NOS" medical diagnosis maybe more hurtful than helpful with regional center as many say they only take full autism.
Each state and region is different. medical diagnosis will help in getting insurance to cover medical care and medication. A correct diagnosis and full evaluation will help you as parents plan for thier needs.
HTH,
Renee
I am a big believer in good evaluations. I would try a pediatric neurophsychologist or a developmental pediatrician. My ped. doesn't think neurologists in general are really helpful with ASD stuff.
Cathy
For social security assistance, your household must make less then a certain amount of income to qualify. Further, if the child has any assests that other people have for him (say grandma/grandpa set up a trust or a bank account and put money in it for the child) that will also count against the child. Further, SSI benefits can only be counted from the day you actually applied (or the protective date of when you tell SSA your going to apply).
Then DDS (department of disability services) will gather the child's medical records and determine if their condition is severe and meets the regs for disability. If it does then payments generally start in 6-12 weeks after you get notice of approval. If they feel it doesn't they reject your claim, you will have to file a notice for reconsideration within 60 days, which usually gets rejected as well, and then ask for a hearing in front of an ALJ. The hearing could take place within a few weeks or within a few years. It really depends on how the hearing office you attend moves.
Having a diagnosis can be helpful with SSI but it may not be enough to get the benefits. My son probably qualifies and has no diagnosis, thogu hhe's getting close to no longer qualifing (but we were always over the $$ limit so it didn't matter)