I need advice on the red tape of being an adult with autism?

Question

I am a single middle aged woman who has past troubles in nurology when I was a child (brain tumor, epilepsy, learning problems), but when I turned 18, I was cut off from assistance through my parents, but I think they were just tired of taking care of me and I had never heard the world autism back then. I contacted the autism of my state and they referred me to someone in my area, who then referred me to someone else in my area who come to find out deals with children in the schools. Then she referred me to someone else, and so on and so on. I don't have any medical insurance and make minimum wage at a part time job. I am currently living with a relative who is not at a point of able to assist me (finacially or with a place to live) and I am going to have to leave. Contacting the non-profits for autism only got me in a run around of being given other peoples numbers and getting know where. What do I do? I am sorry to sound so desperate, but I feel it is becoming.

Answer 1

Contact the Vocational Rehabilitation office in your area.  Tell them you have had the problems in the past and are currently underemployed.   Tell them you wondering about being diagnosed with autism as it has been mentioned to you in the past.  They will probably refer you to the local health department and mental health department for the official diagnosis, but they should be able to help with job training.

Answer 2

you might need to speak to an attorney that deals with SS (social security) or adult care.

I'm not sure in your situation why your parents could/would cut off your support...it's against the law in most states to do that to a 'handicapped' person..( not that I'm saying you're handicapped, but it's the way the law's are written..)

You also might want to see someone in a welfare office...I don't know where you live, but some stuff MIGHT be online for you to read. www.google.com and type in your county, city and see what that brings up...

Good luck !!!

Answer 3

You need to contact the Regional Center that serves your area.  They can pay for you to be diagnosed.  I don't know where in Michigan you live, but check out this link http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140... and here is a link for an adults with autism in Michigan Yahoo group:  http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Aut... .  Regional Centers can help with living expenses, finding a better job, training for a better job, help navigate though Social Security, etc.  Unfortunately, there is no one, clearly defined path for people to take to get needed services and it is very easy to become lost in the sea of red tape.

Answer 4

You need to see if you can get on disability. You would probably qualify, but it can be difficult. It takes many people more than one try to get on disability. See if you can get a free consultation with an attorney who specializes in this. You may be able to pay him/her with your stimulus money if they are willing to take your case. It would be worth it to hire a lawyer in this situation. Good luck!!

Meanwhile look into foodstamps and Medicaid. If you are approved for disability you will automatically be qualified for these also, but you may qualify already.

Best of luck to you, but please realize YOU are going to have to DO something for yourself. Take heart and be courageous.

Answer 5

I doubt you would qualify for disability-as you are able to work-slight possibility of supplemental income (SSI) if you don't make much ast your job.

contact your state/county disabilities services office.

also county social services-ask about Charity Care (medical care)

Do you know how to contact any of your old doctors.  With a diagnosis of epilepsy you should begin to qualify for soem services such as Vocational Rehabilitation, transportation services, etc.

Answer 6

Where are you?  Which state/ city?

Answer 7

Stella, you are in luck, I work for our state's disability agency. I live in New England and I have a teenage son who's autistic. I would hate to see him worrying about all of these issues when he turns 18.

So, this is what you need to do. Apply for SSI for autism. Since you don't have a doctor at this time, they will have to send you for an psychological exam, no cost to you. If you have any information from when you were a teen, then I would get that info together to help with the agency's decision.

I would also contact the Dept of Mental Retardation in your state. If you don't find any help there, then I would contact on of the national organizations to help you.  I would also give March of Dimes, United Way.

And no, you don't sound desperate. YOU sound like another frustrated person, getting the run around, when they are in need of assistance. It's not like you're looking for a hand out, just some assistance of what is what. I know you're trying because your working.

Once you get hooked up with some of these agencies, they should be able to help you with housing, life skills, and even job training in an area that you like.

I'm going to put up some web sites for you. Check them out, call everyone, write down everything, and don't give up.