Is there a federal grant for families with autistic children? Where do I look?

Question

It took me 7 years for my 9 y/o daughter to be diagnosed with ASD. They kept telling me girls don't get it. It wasn't until I pushed through a dozen doctors who kept saying it was something else that I was able to get a specialist involved. I am married and have 2 other children and no insurance other than the state medicaid. I am looking for help to get counselors for my daughter and not have to weigh the importance of her treatment verses food on the table.

Answer 1

You need to go to the Social Security Administration (SSA) office and apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for your daughter. If your daughter is approved for SSI, your daughter will get state Medicaid also.

Autism is considered to be a Disability by SSA Disability guidelines.

My only child was born with Autism and Mental Retardation. My child gets SSI. My child also gets Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Medicare.

Answer 2

Nope!

Answer 3

Your first step should be your County Social services - your state may have a Waiver that could help you.  Then as others have stated you may be eligible for SSI.

You will have to however be able to document the extent of the disability and the impact on the family.  The more involved/impaired the student is the more likely you are to be eligible for help.

These programs are primarily for those students who are severl and profound - or students who's family need some respite or assistance in the home.

Since I don't you your specifics - an you only mention counseling - I doubt if you would qualify only for that.  

Please make sure you are getting the services you may be eligible for in your school district.  If you child did not qualify for services - that might indicate less reason for additional coverage in either a Waiver or SSI.

Answer 4

What treatment does she need besides, love, understanding and constant encouragement ??  I don't want to sound blase but I have an autistic daughter who is now 13.  She is the fourth child in a family of six.  We homeschool our children and have always loved her, accepted her and been there for her relentlessly.  I taught her expressions and what emotions looked like so she could recognise these things.  We exsposed her to supermarkets and traffic and other things that made her withdraw and scream and slowly over the years she hardly withdraws.  She is up to her peers academically now and has the reading level of a 16 - 17 year old.  All without outside intervention just good old fashioned LOVE

Answer 5

My 7 yr old son has ASD, I dont know about grants, but I applied for SSI for him and he was approved and he now has extended coverage medicade which covers all his medical needs. It took a huge burden off of our family. It ony took 18 days from the day I applied for him to be approved. I went in sat with a lady gave her all his records and 18 days later she called. It was quick and easy so dont be afraid of doing it. I have had more of a fight getting his school to do their job though so if that becomes an issue get the manual from the state department of education and read up. Do not let anyone push you around, you are the best advocate. As for people who tell you that love is all they need I must say that no child only needs just love they all frequently seek counsel wether professional or not we just happen to be blessed with children that need it a bit more to help them learn the skills to be as sucessful and rounded as possible!!! Do not doubt yourself and keep using your voice, its parents that speak up that will eventually change laws so that perhaps one day there will be grants and such so that we to will have to choice of wether to stay home and teach our children or not, or to take our child to get the assistance they need wether it be down the road or in another state. I will keep you in my prayers.

Answer 6

Here are some websites that might help you. If you would like, you might want to try to get her on disability...just a suggestion. Good Luck!!!

http://www.forautistickids.com/

http://www.autismtoday.com/AdviceForPare...

http://www.doe.mass.edu/news/news.asp?id...

http://www.freegrantkit.net/autism.htm

Answer 7

she may be eligible for SSI-

supplemenatl security income-

it is based on having a qualifying disability and the family income

also apply to the Division of Developmental DIsabilities-they sometimes have services such as counseling.