njc2410
12-24-2005, 10:11 PM
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...
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...