My son was born mentally handicapped he is now 20 been denied SSI got a lawyer and in process of appeals almost 2 years just had IQ test done it is 67 will this help I'm not sure what normal IQ is.  The other kids he went to school with didn't get denied and they are all about the same he's been on medicine for behavior  since he was 5 to control inpulses and ADD does anyone have any suggestions before we see the judge?   He can't afford to wait and have to appeal again, his medicine alone is almost 350 a month.
129815
Here are two suggestions which might help.  \n\nGo to your local mental health center and have a social worker become involved in the process.  They often have lawyers who work for free and have almost a 100% success rate.\n\nWrite a letter to your state Senator explaining the details of what has taken place so far.  Many times he will have someone investigate the claim and this tends to speed up the process.\n\nBefore you filed your appeal, you could have asked for a reconsideration which would have taken less time.\n\nI have a friend whose daughter was mentally ill to the point of being in a wheel chair, unable to speak, eat on her own, or respond to other people and they denied her before she finally started receiving SSI.  The system is set up to prevent people who don’t have disabilities from getting SSI and too often people who deserve SSI have to suffer for this.\n\nPS: I know this is hard time for you and your son, but hang in there and when this time has passed, everything will get better..Good Luck.
346853
call the school psychologist, or the district psychologist. they have a certain amount of days to respond, and provide testing once the request is made...you might have to fill out a request for testing form...make copies of everything you give out. do some research for your state/county on what the laws are regarding educational testing. document any/all phone calls and follow up verbal requests with written requests. don't forget to also call the school superintendent if you need to. i've worked in spec. ed for many years, and raised a special needs child...i've literally had to take the district to court (several times) for failing to provide my son with the educational assistance/tools that were written into his i.e.p. (individualized educational plan). there are also advocacy groups, and parent coordinators through the mental health system, in most counties.\nin my experience, school districts can be very non-parent friendly. you may come up against officials who say there is no money for testing your child, etc...they are not above trying to make a parent feel guilty either...don't buy into it. nobody cares about your child like you do, and if you don't push the issue, your child will not get the help he is entitled to.  i hope this was helpful...very best of luck to you. you can also go to dr.phil's website to get more ld, a.d.d., adhd, dyslexia, etc. info from dr. frank lawless.
270365
The only thing that I can think of is that He is more established with his life, job, home, married, and You said that You are still in school.  If You have paid $25,000 and lost Your case, You need another Attorney.  Sounds like the Judge wasn't very fair.  You had custody of your child, and were taking good care of them, but the Judge now thinks You are not able to?  Was Your Ex active in Your Childs life before?   Are You living at home?  And if so, how is it that a person going to school, has a House?  You can appeal.  The fact that He owes $10,000, what does that say for his ability to provide?  If I were You I would call every Family Attorney in the phone book that will give the first consultation for free, I would call 100 if I had to, many of them will talk to You on the phone, or their paralegal will.  Then I would find out about legal aid.  Contact the Department of Social and Family Services, or the Department of Humane Services.  I would write the Govenor of Your State,  The Attorney Generals Office, (that is who Your Child Support is supposed to come through).  I would call every radio station and news Channel I could find, to get Your story out, and I would ask/beg for anybody to help me.  Write Your Story up and fax it to every Family Law Office You can.  Many Attorneys do a certain amount of ProBono work(free), each year.  If You want Your Child back You fight with every ounce of Your being.  What changed so drastically that You were a  capable Mother before, but now You are not, what has changed?  What did the Judge say the reason was?  Do NOT Give up!  Is He still in School?  Are You both about the same age?  He should have been put in jail for owing that much back Child Support, and the fact that You were raising the Child alone, without His Support, should speak volumes for Your Character.  I really can't understand everything You are trying to Describe to us, and You will need to explain, in detail, everything to a Lawyer.  And if all else fails, call Dr. Phil, he has connections that could Help You Tremendously, and He is always on the side of Justice.  In fact You will have to contact Him through His web site,www.Dr.Phil.com.\nDon't focus on not having Your Child, Focus on getting them back.\n\nI know Your Heart Is Broken, Harness That Pain, And Fight, Get Everyone You Know To Help You.  Good Luck, and God Bless
139660
It's just a guess.  Keep in mind too, that intelligence tests don't score that high anyway.  The Wechsler tests (WISC-IV, WAIS-III) go up to an IQ of 145 and the Stanford-Binet goes to 150.   (So when you see actors on talk shows that they were tested when young and had an IQ over 200- they are lying.)  IQ tests have these ceiling limits because it would not make financial sense to invest the money to develop items that could discriminate between individuals with higher IQ's, and it would be too difficult to individuals with higher IQ's to use in the norm group.
273762
The police can't do much honestly, since he was awarded 51% in the court system. You can go back to court (with or without an attorney) and have your son heard in front of the judge. Age 12 is the age where many judges will actually consider the childs choice. If nothing else, you may want to find a paralegal (much cheaper than an attorney) who can assist you with filing the appropriate documents in court. Good luck!
420712
I went through 39 years of medication and my seizures just getting worse. I started out with petit mal got complex partial, grand mal, and tried every seizure med possible. I finally went in for the brain surjery 6 years and never had another seizure. If you have the chance I would go for the surjery instead of trying all the medication I went through and losing my entire life.These doctors are very good and you need to give them a chance so you son can have his life back.
620634
hello there. I have fears just as you do. I have a now 6 year old son with epilepsy who after all these years I am being told I have to do a paternity test. The father told me if it ever came to this that he would fight me all the way and take my son who he's never been a part of his life away from me. I refused to pursue with the dna test but was told if I didn't the state would. This terrifies me so much. I absolutely know what your fears are. As for can a judge do this?. I was always told a judge couldn't try a case unless both parties have an attorney. Did you sign away your rights to an attorney? If so then the judge does have the right to make this decision especially if this is what the child wants. If your child didn't want to go then the judge should not have sent him to this abuser. I would appeal the case for the best interests of your child, especially since this guy was an abuser. Make sure when you go back to court to have an attorney, and all paperwork(police reports,etc) showing that this abuse was going on.  Let me know if I can help anymore . Blue27:birdlover272006@yahoo.com
2552
The most important thing to know is that you made it to 17 without this knowledge and without special support. Think what you can accomplish with the support and assistance you deserve. Most psychologists/psychiatrists who can accurately diagnose this kind of learning disability would also communicate with the parents, the counselors, and the teachers about the modifications necessary for you to learn most effectively. Are you sure that yours is not going to do this?
43344
I would try the school. They should have given you a parental rights book when he was enrolled in the program. I lived there in Oklahoma previously, my brother went to Putnam City High school. They had a good program also, but I know you live in Norman. But check with the school and find out what programs they offer for special education. They should tailor the program to fit his needs.
586212
If you don't have work credits for 10 years-it is points off. \n What were the reasons of your denial from SSD.\n Ask a lawyer--Legal Aid (one in every county-free or small fee) .\n If you only have one income-there might be help-not always.\n  I would do that ASAP.\n Sorry-unless you qualify for Medicaid -your insurances is gone. And if your  badly disable--no one will insurance without a very high cost policy. \n Not knowing all the details-it is hard how to help you.\n Email me if you want. I did help with health benefits for a good time of my life.\n It is a shame that many are in your position--we need National Health. I know it cost everyone. \n Bad news--it is going to be worst for many-the State is running low everywhere. Your husband check will not keep up with cost of living--to many have abused the system. And it isn't an endless pot of gold.\n The Disable will get hit the most-than the elderly-than families.\n The forms for assistant are first based on a point system. The clerk who checks the paper adds the points if it passes it goes on-if not they reject it. First denials can be worked with.\n See a Legal law and Consumers-both could help you.\n An immigrant - or did you mean Illegal? Must wait too collect or be disable after working so many years.  I don't believe any should suffer. But they do get extra points if that is what you mean. The time you stated for them if for them to be edible not collect.
250704
Well I'm starting my third year of med school in September so I'm not a doctor but I'm pretty sure that if they have been diagnosed with schizophrenia they can be made to go to treatment by a family member. I'm sure if you talked to a doctor at a hospital that deals with these cases they'd be able to get a retramand which is basically a warrant for that person. They are usually very good about it and will bring the person in for treatment in a safe and responsible manner even if the person refuses treatment. Schizophrenia isn't a disease anybody takes lightly so they'd do all that is needed to get that person help. Good luck and I'm very sorry for your trouble.
636758
Why in the world is your district running full diagnostics for every 3-year?\n\nAlso, THE NEW AUTHORIZATION (2004) STATES THAT DISCREPANCY BETWEEN IQ AND ACHIEVEMENT IS NOT THE PRIMARY MEASURE....\n\nRESPONSE TO RESEARCH-BASED SLD INTERVENTIONS IS!!!!!\n\nIF THE CHILD MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN YOUR PROGRAM, THAT IS PROOF THAT HE/SHE HAS AN SLD, AND SHOULD CONTINUE SERVICES!\n\nPL 108-446(2004) SEC 614(b)2(B) states that no single measure shall be used in determining qualification, or exit. \n\nPL 108-446(2004) SEC 614(b)6 states that the IQ/Achievement discrepancy method is now considered invalid, and student reevaluation for continuing designation of SLD should be based on student responsiveness to research-based SLD instructional methods.\n\nSee this link, page 60: http://www.cec.sped.org/Content/NavigationMenu/PolicyAdvocacy/IDEAResources/PublicLaw108-446.pdf\n\nThe LAW states that the committe is required to look at information already available about the child, and to request further testing ONLY IF IT IS NEEDED.\n\nIf these kids are being given formal diagnostics when it is not needed, then the district is out of compliance with the law.\n\nThe correct procedure for review of student data includes looking at the last diagnostic set of tests. The committee must review the last set carefully, and discuss whether or not the data still appears correct for the student. If the student's needs and strengths are still accurately reflected by the old data, combined with responsiveness to research-based SLD instruction, then a new test does not need to be done. The IEP committee places a statement in the reevaluation minutes that the old testing remains accurate and current as of that date due to documented teacher observations, parent input, and student products, and the date of the IEP becomes the most recent date of evaluation.\n\nThe only reason to run formal diagnostics is when the old data appears to be inaccurate for the student's current performance and needs.\n\n\nIf your district (or G-d forbid...entire state) is doing a full diagnostic on every sped kid, and disqualifying kids based solely on those tests, regardless of the child's real needs, then a lawsuit will eventually rear its ugly head when a smart parent, who wants to have his/her child remain in program, gets wise to the practice. The law's language regarding ALL reevaluation, including the 3-year formal, is to protect kids from being exited without adequate documentation, not to force them out before they are ready to fly on their own.\n\nCall this information to your sped central office administrator NOW, and demand that your district's IEP formats be updated to meet the 2004 reauthorization... G-d knows what other horrid and damaging mistakes your district is making.
656370
I would have him evaluated by a pediatric specialty team at your nearest children's hospital or rehab center. My daughter was dx'd with ADD/ADHD/PDD-NOS and then High-functioning Autism by her ped and later by state funded physical and occupational therapists through early intervention. She was medicated at the school's insistence for ADHD. When that made things worse instead of better, we had her evaluated at our local pediatric rehabilitation center and learned that she was actually a perfect match for the symptoms/actions of Aspergers Syndrome and early onset bi-polar disorder. The reason the meds made things worse was that with bi-polar, you can't give just the anti-depressant, you have to do a mood stabilizer as well, or the manic symptoms will intensify and often times go out of control. Hope you find the help you need to help your child
527764
Sounds like you really need to have a dr. look at him and speak with his teacher.  As for help near Yonkers, i can tell you this.  DO NOT send this child to a Yonkers Public School.  they will do him a disservice and will not provide the help he may need.  He may need special schooling.
266462
I think so too, like in my situation with my twins being born 1 day short of being 3 weeks early. My daughter was 4 pounds, and my son was almost 7! They ran no test and just assumed that my son got more food and nurishment than his sis. Well now, almost 2 years later, she is still smaller than he is and they don't even look like twins. CPS took my kids deeming my daughter failure to thrive, after her pediatrician ran a few tests and determined my daughter had nothing medically wrong with her, and held me responsible for my daughter being small and underweight! If the docs in the O.R room didn't see a need to run test, then when I take them to another pediatrician and she calls CPS and has my kids taken, they could be held responsible for failing to diagnose a problem that resulted in my kids being taken! The statue of limitations is 2 years, I think in my state of NC, my twins are 22months. If there is way to prove the O.R doc negligent, I have no way of doing so now, because my kids are in CPS care, and they won't let me get a second opinion! Statue of limitations suck!
21601
help,\n\nI'm not sure you'll find many articles out there that addresses ADD and/or learning disabilities as an inherited condition.  I've never seen any, so I can't begin to answer what the chances are for a child born to one or both parents who have suffered the same.\n\nI would say that all one can do is to pay close attention to the child's development, and to take quick action if any developmental problems present itself.  I know this isn't much help...best of luck.
344456
First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on your son!!  It sounds like you are really doing well to have your IFSP in place and therapy underway...some families don't recongnize the importance of Early Intervention!\n\nMy son is 2 years old and also has Down syndrome.  I have no first-person experience with adults with Down syndrome, but I have heard some wonderful stories of how people with Down syndrome can live pretty normal lives.  Once such story, which you may have already heard about is of Sujeet and Carrie Desai.  They are a couple, both with Down syndrome, who recently got married and who live mostly independently, but have some help.  There was a story on 20/20 about them and you can see the video at\n\nhttp://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=2354714&page=1\n\nAlso, I just this week attended a forum for my state's legislators on Developmental Disabilities.  Across the back wall of this large auditorium stretched a banner with literally hundreds of business and agencies that actively employ or help find employment for people with Developmental Disabilities.  There were stores, offices, law firms, hospitals, etc.  I was staggered to think of the options that will be open to my son when he is older.\n\nThere are other stories of people with Down syndrome living their dreams....  here are a couple links about two women, both with DS who have done some amazing things....one swam the English Channel and the other swam from Alcatraz to SF\n\nhttp://www.karengaffneyfoundation.com/swimmers.shtml\n\nhttp://news.yahoo.com/s/wesh/20061103/lo_wesh/10237606\n\nI think that things can only continue to improve for our kids.  I'm sure that you, like my husband and I, have the philosophy of never saying "can't".  Our children's potential is limitless!\n\nAlso, if you have not already found it, I would invite you to go to \nhttp://www.downsyn.com/\nand especially check out the forum.  There you will meet people with children of all ages who have DS.  They are a great source of support and information!\n\nBest of luck with your sweet little boy.  He will never cease to amaze you!