Re: SSI, what are they looking for?

[Guest guest]

Thanks Donna. Your information was helpful. I have tests from psychologists that

go back to age four, that show IQ test every three years that range from 62 to

70. And many of the same difficulties as your daughter.

I am having such a difficult time with " he can't do " this or that, because if I

am standing right over him, step by step, he CAN do almost anything; but I guess

that is the point, that he needs to be evaluated on what he can do independently

if living on his own.

When you say adaptive behavior scaling is that sort of like living skills? I

have an adaptive test from the school in 12 year showing he was lower than 98%

of his peers!

This whole process has been like therapy for me! I know now why I am so stressed

all the time and lack all patience with him anymore. I have been " doing " for him

for 25 years all the time thinking he was going to grow up, step up or something

and start doing it on his own. I guess that is never going to happen.

Sue in Tn

>

> Hi,

>

> My DD is 20, and she was approved for SSI when she was 18 based on mild MR

and Affective D/O. Before I applied, I took her to a well respected P.h.D. for

an independent eval. Current IQ testing and adaptive behavior scaling was

documented. The pdoc I took her to was very well versed in SSA policy. My DD's

application was processed and approved in 60 days. At age 10, she was dx with

PDD by an Associate Professor at a teaching hospital. She had collected a

monthly payment from MY SSDI, as I was found totally disabled in 1995. I had to

switch it to her own disability when she turned 18. We were lucky to get an

approval so quickly when she applied for her own SSI. I did not use an attorney.

I believe the independent eval. carried a lot of weight, along with a copy of

her IEP, and yes, the list of all the things she cannot do. She cannot ride a

bike (has epilepsy), needs adult supervision 24/7, does not work, but

volunteers, attends remedial courses in college (3-7 credits a semester)with

accommodations and a tutor that the college supplies. She has difficulty with

peer relationships, withdrawal, sensory issues, and change in plans.

> She qualified for level one (most severe) for Vocation Rehab.They just

leased a basic computer with Dragon Software to help her with college.

> If SSA would have turned her down,I would have handed her case over to a good

attorney.

> Please don't give up! There are timelines to follow, and I believe SSA makes

it difficult to get approval, hoping some people will give up.

> Take care,

> Donna O., 58, Systemic Lupus, DDD

> Mom to Meredith, 20,PDD, MR., Epilepsy, Sensory Integration D/O,

> just dx with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

>

> >

>