Frustration In Ga!!!!!

[njc2410]

Does anyone know where I can get help in Atlanta, GA? My 4 year old son has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder by a neurologist in New Jersey. I want to bring him back home, but I’ve found no one here in Atlanta to help me.

I'm originally from Jersey & while visiting for my birthday, my son blossomed within a few days of being there. He just opened up.

My husband & I decided to let him spend a few months with my sister to see how he would do. The daycare that he went to suggested getting him evaluated. The department of education there took care of all the expenses of the evaluations & we just got the diagnosis. (Here in Atlanta an eval would've cost me over $550 (which I definitely did not have, no reserves, no nothing financially)).

I've already emailed Gwinnett County department of education & they gave me the Emory Center for Autism. Emory told me that they only work with kids up to 4 and there was a waiting list & it would cost about $1200 monthly for his therapies (NJ will take care of that too). Don't get me started on the Marcus Institute, they're the ones that wanted the cash to evaluate my baby. When I told his pediatrician here that I couldn't afford that, he told me that I should be able to sacrifice. You know what? That sacrifice would've meant eviction. Okay, my son would've gotten evaluated, but we would've been homeless (my husband wasn't working at the time - He just got a new job).

The greatst frustration is what is there for my son that won't cause me to go bankrupt? I have NO MONEY & NO HELP in this state. Common sense would tell us to move but, my husband refuses to move to NJ. I don't think that I can be away from my baby much longer. On the flip side, there is no guarantee that we would find somewhere to live & jobs if we move.

This is causing a strain on me emotionally, physically, & mentally. And the depression is setting in. I'm not sure how much more I can take. I really don't want my marriage wrecked because of this but I'm beginning to wonder...

Please if anyone can help, let me know. I'm tired and I'm beginning to HATE this place...

[sabrina dreams]

hello, i live in flordia and you can get help thought the state.you need all your doctors notes and go to your child doctor to ask for testing though the school board they have progams before king. this will help get him in the right public school system and the training the school needs . you will also be able to get under the disable act law and no child leavied behind law too. I know because i am low income family. my family only makes 1300 a month for a family of four so to be five. i found that health care won't help my daughter after which many times so i when to the state. and the school board on laws in the us. on is no child leavied behind act so school boards must help you. also go to socail sevices for help to. look up autism and your state you may find center though colages and place that help you. I would first go to were you get your soical secitry cards and sign up for medicade for disable child where the state pays for all terst and medical bills. and also get info and see if you can get what is call ssi for you child so anything medicade don't cover this check you get ever month will help pay for things. We get one for 572 a month and help for free lunches in school,once ayear for a set of clothes for our kids and a my daughter just got a letter say if we want she can go to private school with the mckey sh. next year at no cost but 75 dollars. also in all children hositpal they have the scothish rite schlopship for lang and speech help if you can't get that. i look into thing oh look up cards a great center for autism in flordia and they travel to help family with info to to get help. we love them. it with un of flordia ,sf and central flordia too.

[mlwear]

Your child is guaranteed (even at his age, if found eligible-which seems will be found the case) a Free Appropriate Public Education.Call you local school district. Ask to speak with someone in charge of Child Find or really anyone in Special Education there. This person will get you on the right track. By Federal Law they must. It is a long tedious process that we all must endure.
In the meantime you can contact you local ARC and ask if there are any programs. Our ARC serves all developmentally delayed children regardless of IQ while preschool age. They can also tell you of other programs if they exist.
www.autism-society.org will help you find your local chapter. You don't necessarily have to join to get information. Give them a call and ask if they can help and if they know of programs you can utilize.
But, calling the school district is critical. I wouldn't delay.
Good luck. I am sorry you are so frustrated. From what I understand, some of the best services are found in New Jersey, so I'm sure this is very difficult for you. However, one thing I have learned is that although it can be a lot of work, regardless of where you live you can get the needed services for your child. It is just easier in some places.

[Ben'sDad]

Hello njc, I hope you still visit this site because I just joined and saw your post and I think I can help. I am also in GA, actually in Gwinnett County as well. My son Ben just turned 5 and was diagnosed last year PDD. There are many resources, you just have to know where to look. The first place I would start is with Dr. Leslie Reuben at the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Autism Clinic at Hugh Spaulding Hospital in Atlanta. It can get a little crowded there because they only have the clinic on Wednesdays, but Dr Reuben is fantastic! The number there is 404-616-5766. There is also special needs pre-K classes through the Gwinnett County School System but first your son will need to get an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) to determine which services he qualifies for. Once it is determied that he qualifies for services, it's all provided free of charge to you. Ben is in a special needs pre-K at Simonton Elementary which is great! He is around other kids, the school has a speech therapist as well as an occupational therepaist that works with the kids. Ben also goes to outside speech and occupational therapy provided by All About Kids in Lawrenceville. There are other agencies locally, that is just the one our insurance pays for. There is also a special needs summer camp that Ben attended last July called Camp Spunky that is run by the school dept. That can be a little costly, it was $100 a week for Monday-Friday 9:30-1:30 but Ben had a great time there! They do art projects, games, sing songs, go on field trips. Ben has made tremendous progress since last year, don't give up! Your son can too! If you need somemore help, contact me!

[njc2410]

Thank so much for this information. I will definitely look into it.

[Ben'sDad]

glad you got it!! :) Good luck!