mental disability....

[BUD]

Just a quick question, I was told by someone that my wife and I could apply for a possible disability check for my daughters mental disability would we apply with the social security office , or department of social services or some other office??? Thankyou

[coriolis]

I'm sorry to hear about your daughter's challenges. I never heard of social security doing that, but you never know. might. Either get on their web page or call you local social security office. As for state programs, it's probably different in each state. Sounds like you have some homework to do. Good luck!

[feederband]

Just a quick question, I was told by someone that my wife and I could apply for a possible disability check for my daughters mental disability would we apply with the social security office , or department of social services or some other office??? Thankyou

I have heard about this see if you can find out anything here..


http://www.socialsecurity.gov

[streetsoldier]

Just a quick question, I was told by someone that my wife and I could apply for a possible disability check for my daughters mental disability would we apply with the social security office , or department of social services or some other office??? Thankyou

Is your daughter of working age? If so, and her disability is such that she's unable to seek employment, she could be eligible for SS disability.

If not (or, even if so), call an attorney who specializes in disability. Your state may have programs for her needs.

[BUD]

She is not working age, she is five in a half.

[streetsoldier]

She is not working age, she is five in a half.

Again, you can try to get Social Security disability for her, but...and I cannot stress this enough...you WILL need an attorney who knows his/her way around.

[feederband]

She is not working age, she is five in a half.

Streetsolder is right get a disability lawer involved their fees arn't bad and it comes out of your reward if they don't win they don't charge you but their are programs out their..

[BUD]

She was diagnosed through her school.

[streetsoldier]

What is the diagnosis? The LAST place I'd trust for psychiatric diagnosis is the school system...they are NOT medical professionals.

[iluvseashore]

Advocates are something to consider too. They are lawyers and would specialize in these areas. I hear they really go to bat for you and some at no cost. Here's a website that would be a great one to visit.
http://www.wrightslaw.com

They have a great deal of info there about lawyers and advocates.

Good Luck to you!!!

[iluvseashore]

BTW, 5 years old is really young for such a diagnosis, usually professionals don't like to make them at this age because they are at such a developmental stage. My advice is to have additional testing done. Someone mentioned above that school personnel are not the right or best to make such findings is completely right. Having worked in Special Ed. for several years and having a learning disabled son myself. I can tell you that a School Psych. cannot legally make these diagnoses, not even a private psychologist can(they only recommend)clinical psychiatrists can however.

[Hurricaneman]

I hope you find a lawyer who cant help you

[BUD]

Her diagnosis was a mild case of mental disability with learning problems. This came from the school psychologist.

[iluvseashore]

Well, I would only consider that a start and take her to either a psychiatrist for further testing or even better to a developmental pediatrician. School psychs. are good donn't get me wrong. I have a long time family friend who is one in WV but they cannot formally diagnose. She needs to be seen with your current test scores in hand by someone who can go into more detailed testing. School testing only scratch the surface. In depth testing would give you better results and if nothing else can give you more in depth insights into just what exactly are the weak areas and the strenghts that your daughter has. It is pricey but going to a developmental peds. doc may be your best bet as far as insurance coverage goes. Most testing will start out around 200.00.

What tests were used? This should be noted in your copy of results. That can make a difference too.

[BUD]

The tests that she took were such tests like developmental goals that the school thought she should have already acheived. Also tests of trying to read, spell and learning to ask for what she wants on her own. The teacher was concerned also. When they tested her we were told it maybe the way she takes the information in and prosesses it. They also said her attention span is real short. I donot know why they would say that she is only 5!!! They said her test scores were below average. Around 46-60. The average is around 80-100. She has a private tutor for the summer an hour a day for two days a week. She is doing well. She was in child developement at school. This fall she will have to be with the special ed teacher 60% of the class time. She will still be with the kindergarten class for other activities. So because of the school phycologist and speech teacher diagnosing her we did not think we would apply for a supplimental check since a doctor did not diagnos this. Thanks

[iluvseashore]

Ok, that sounds like achievement testing or sometimes called IQ testing. The processing you spoke about is called CAPD. Central Auditory Processing Disorder. It can mimic some symptoms of dyslexia, which my son has and is a language based disorder, as well as ADHD. In my son's testing I requested some additional tests by the school.(by law if you request in writing they have to test) I wanted some processing speed tests done as well as long and short term memory assessments done. Processing speed with him was ok but the short term memory fell in the deficit range as well as the long term though not as low as short term. Those tests have been a great help to me in how I approach him with new skills.

As far as testing so young. I was by my friend (sch. psych.) that you don't get an accurate score at that age. My son was tested in kindergarten and placed in language therapy only and then was retested in 2nd grade to get a more accurate score. Most schools so I am told won't even test at age 5. We had to wait until his 6th birthday. So that concerns me about your daughter.

Oh if you google CAPD you will find a lot of resources as well as for other learning disabilities. http://www.ldonline.com is a good one.

If you have any questions or just need to vent please pm me. I understand what you are going through.

Good Luck!!!

[iluvseashore]

I would have to agree with you on the SSI and the school's diagnosis. Need a formal one then you may have a shot at it.

[BUD]

Just wanted to say thankyou for everybodys advice on my daughters disability. We figured that we would just let the idea of that ssi check go because we can't afford a doctor to diagnose the same problem that school said she had. I was told that it would be advised to have a doctors diagnosis. And can't afford a lawyer. Again thankyou.

[Pebbles]

http://www.govbenefits.gov/govbenefits/index.jhtml

Is a great resource for finding goverment benifits. Check both federal and states. If you look to the right of most listing they have a little feature that you can go through and enter info to see if you meet the qualifications for that program.

Again I encourage you to see if your child qualifies for medical assistance (many states go up to 150/180 percent of the poverty level... usually if you can get earned income on your taxes you can easily qualify for health programs) which will pay for any testing. Contact social services and your local community service programs as both these places may be able to direct you to services available in your area at low, no cost or sliding scale fee if you don't qualify for medical assistance. There are mental health facilities that work on a no fee/sliding scale fee that can do more indepth testing.

While we are not poverty level in my home.. there is NO WAY I could afford the medical expenses my ADHD daughter incurs. I pay my taxes and thus why I have no shame in taking advantage of these programs to help care for my daughter. Sometimes it may take allot of phone calls but don't give up! Your daughter is worth it and that's what they are there for.

If you have any questions feel free to send a PM

[HurriCat]

She is not working age, she is five in a half.

BUT... She is already "barcoded" (SSN) for life - so they WILL have dealings with y'all eventually.

(Just read the later posts re: school psychologists) - By all means RUN, don't walk, for a better test and diagnosis! Work a second job or sell some of your toys if you have to. DO NOT let her believe that she is "limited" based on a SCHOOL diagnosis. This will cripple her socially and as an individual. It will give the other little a-holes ample opportunity to torture her with the "short school bus" treatment. I work in a public school district - believe me, what a mess. If they run things like custodial, maintenance and other areas as they do, then no way would I trust their judgement as the final word on a kids' mental state! I am serious.

PLEASE... make a revisited DIAGNOSIS the priority. Worry about the other stuff IF it is needed.