'ZACK! GET YOUR BROTHER OUT OF THE FREEZER!'

Benefits Under the ADA

Each state offers protection and benefits for your child under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).  These benefits can be medical, psychiatric or educational.  There may also be eligibility for Social Security Disability benefits.

There are requirements for each particular program available.  Medical, school and psychiatric records are invaluable in making an eligibility determination.  Keep copies for your own records in the event you choose to apply for benefits.

Your local Social Security office or county mental health office can help get you started in determining what benefits are available to your child and any paperwork required for the process.

If you are initially denied benefits because you family income is too high, there is a loophole through which you can reapply to get benefits based on medical necessity.  This is a little known fact that is not volunteered by many government agencies.

Whenever possible, find out if there is an advocate in your area to help you through the process.  Must often, services are free.

Keep Your Sense of Humor

You are going to need it because it may be the one thing to get you through the early years.

Several years ago, our family was shopping at a large discount store.  My husband and I were in the checkout line when we heard a commotion coming from the front of the store.  Our oldest was trying to push our youngest into a big freezer used for storing bags of ice.  In unison, my husband and I yelled, “Zack, get your brother out of the freezer!”  All heads turned to us and, at the time, we were mortified vowing never to show our faces in the store again.  It took years before we were able to laugh about it. We have lost count since the freezer incident and I’m sure we will have more to come.

There will be times when all heads will turn toward you or your child, but seeing the humor in certain situations is critical to your sanity.