I recently received the following email from a reader of this blog:
I am just wondering if I am wasting my time, my son has been diagnosed adhd for about 4 years now, I think its more but we havent gotten there yet. He is in regular classes but is also in resource at school, he also had to be held back a grade due to his problems the first year being diagnosed. Would he possibly qualify at all for disability benefits.
Jonathan Ginsberg’s response: In order to win a child disability case, you will need to show that your child meets a Listing. The Listings for children are different than the Listings for adults. You can review the childhood disability listings by clicking on the link.
The Listing for ADHD may be found at Listing 112.00 Mental Disorders-Childhood. I can tell you from experience that you will have an uphill battle with an ADHD claim. There are a lot of parents out there who are filing disability claims on behalf of children and basing their claims on ADD or ADHD. That is not to say that ADD or ADHD is not real or that it is not debilitating for your child. I just want you to know that judges and medical experts called at hearings will be skeptical.
I would not recommend pursuing an ADHD claim on your own – you will be benefit greatly by consulting with an experienced disability lawyer. Best of luck to you.
hi ,my sons docotr signed him up a couple of years ago for his asthma .he was younger he was in and outta the hospital with it . well i have learned how to control it and when i cant i then take him to the docotr or the er . well on top of asthma he has adhd and bilaterial hearing impairment which hhe wears hearind aid s in bth ears . well i just recently got my unfavorable decision from the judge and i dont understand it . because he has 3 different disabilites … also it says it has to last at least 12 months well he has been on his meds for over 12 months .. what do i need t o do ?
My son has been diagnosed with Autistic disorder and he also has adhd,anxiety disorder , hypothyroidism, liver problems and depressive disorder. I just went last month to see if I could get SSI. I have an app. this month do you think he will qualify?