Are there advantages to being formally diagnosed with Asperger's?

Question

My cousin suffers from Asperger's and his obsession with his hobbies prevent him from being able to concentrate enough on any given task to hold a job. He's legally an adult, however is child like in many ways - naive and socially inept. His parents (he lives at home) realize that he will have to make his own way in life eventually as they won't live forever. They would like to him employed, but barring that at least get some sort of gov't assistance to allow indepedent living.

Would having a doctor formally diagnose Asperger's entitle him to some disability payments or a workplace equity program?

Answer 1

Yes, as the others have said, your cousin may qualify for assistance , but people with aspergers do not qualify for benefits like someone who has been diagnosed with mental retardation. They might live in a state which has job placement help though. My son has aspergers and I am a special ed teacher. I have been to many workshops and had hours and hours of training. I have heard over and over that the best thing I can do for my son is to find a way to channel his special interests into a paying job. This is no matter how unusual they might be. If they are legal (and moral) support them. There are several books by Temple Grandin, who has aspergers, that explain how she used her obsession with cattle to create a product in the livestock business that has made her very wealthy.

Answer 2

How do you know if your cousin suffers from Asperger's if you do not have a formal diagnosis from a doctor?

There are definite provisions and programs that people with Asperger's can apply for and receive... however, I would caution you about thinking that you can read something from a book and then apply it someone you know... Asperger's can be a difficult and complicated disorder to diagnose... I don't mean to come across as offensive, but for the sake of your cousin, I just want to make sure you understand that a lot of other things need to be ruled out in the diagnostic process before a final conclusion is made...

Anyway... you should contact your state's Department of Developmental Disabilities (or look online) - they should have more information on benefits, programs and testing. Kudos for you for being concerned about your cousin's welfare and trying to get him proper treatment.

Answer 3

Yes! A formal diagnosis will make your cousing eligable for services and program that deal with adults with developmental disabilities. Many of these programs will have waiting lists and they are not always easy to find, BUT without a formal diagnosis he can't even apply. Also, the diagnosis will make him eligable for Medicaide/Medicare health insurance after he ages out of the plan his parents may have. It may also help him qualify for food stamps and possibly SSI or disability payments through social security (that is a long process and they have to have a medical diagnosis for it. Also, it will be based on income, so if your cousin is under 21, it is unlikely he would qualify as they would look at his parent's income as well as his own.) Have your aunt and uncle get his diagnoses and then contact local autism groups or the local branch of the ARC. Both will be great places for information on programs for adults with developmental delays.

Answer 4

If your Aunt/Uncle know that your cousin has Asperger's syndrome, why haven't they had him formally diagnosed with it years ago, to help him with school etc.?

But yes, a formal diagnosis would allow his parents or himself (since he is an adult) to receive disability payments from the government. But there are also organizations out there that would also help in training him for the workplace so that he could become self sufficient later on.

I suggest that they go to social services and get their advice and help in this matter.

Answer 5

Yes. The federal government, and several state governments, have programs set up to assist people who are diagnosed with any kind of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). These programs also assist people with ASD in finding jobs that suit their disability, which are basically jobs that have limited amounts of contact with people and allow focus on one task at a time. I suggest the parents of your cousin to contact their state's Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation or Department of Social Services. They would be able to help.

If not, contact the US Social Security Agency. They should be able to help.

Answer 6

Yes, there are advantages. He could get disability payments, he probably qualifies for the American with Disabilities Act protection, and having a certified diagnosis will at the very least give him a legitimate reason for his behavior, and increase the odds of getting government assistance for his disability, if that really is what's going on.

Answer 7

My daughter is mentally ill. During highschool, I first made contact with the Regional Medical Center for the mentally retarded because I was told that my daughter was retarded. She is not, she is borderline retarded and therefore not elligible for services through this center. I was then referred to the mental health department. I went back and forth between the two a number of times before the mental health department finally provided her with social security benefits. I think that if I had just gone to the social security department with her medical papers stating that she needs assistance everything may have been a little easier. My daughter lives in a mental health facility because I cannot handle everything that she needs--I hate it, but with their help, one day she may live in a group home and eventually she may live on her own.
Good luck-it's not going to be easy.

Answer 8

I believe you. the shortcoming of stimulation could be unfavourable and any college that positioned a man or woman with Asperger's right into a classification with the Intellectually Disabled could be soliciting for issue.college districts have plans. Their plans do not probably enable for people and their desires and are lots extra to do with investment and forms. ideally, colleges could have all the money that they desire and the airforce could could desire to run a cake stall to purchase a sparkling freighter! The understimulation, could be intense and the lecture room could the two be like a conflict zone or your Asperger's pupils could withdraw into themselves.skills mandatory for adulthood does not be found accessible! incredibly absolutely everyone have potential. How that potential is developed and used is taken under consideration necessary. in spite of if a man or woman's I.Q is amazingly intense or very low, absolutely everyone desires to be primary,valued and given each attainable probability in existence. not all probability is attainable,some we could desire to attain ourselves and a brilliant style of do. to place a student with Asperger's right into a classification with the Intellectually Disabled is sheer foolishness.Mainstreaming has been proved to be the ideal element for many pupils. the only ones completely in specific classes are probably to be people who're not waiting to function ideal in a school room situation to any degree. now and lower back nonetheless instructors,who're already very overworked,can not cope (or be envisioned to administration)with a man or woman who comes finished with a series of behavioural issues.the student loses out as a result. i could advise that colleges acquire critically extra investment so as that extra team could be employed and in spite of may be mandatory via the college be waiting to be offered.another social problems could be addressed on the comparable time as a result.

Answer 9

First of all, how would your cousin feel if you said he "suffers" from Asperger's? http://www.azcentral.com/families/education/articles/1221autism-ON.html
Secondly, why should he need disability payments if he could work at home in some jobs? Whatever his hobby is, he should get that for a job.

Answer 10

yes. he is protected by the individuals with disabilities act and he could probably receive social security benefits. he would need to be medically evaluated if he has not been already. there are also group homes where he could live.

if he has/had an iep in school it could still be active depending on his age and that would be considered a legal history of his disability.