Autism is a topic that we hear about more and more these days. It’s not unlikely that you may know someone who has a child with autism or may actually have a family member who suffers from it. While there is a lot of discussion of children and autism, it’s important to remember that these children will grow up to be adults that will have to deal with the complications of autism.
For those that may not be familiar, autism is a spectrum disorder that can widely vary in severity. According to the Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation, it demonstrates three deficit areas: repetitive behaviors, nonverbal and verbal communication, and social interaction.
Those with diagnosed autism, whether the person is an adult or a child, may be able to receive disability insurance. If the individual has never worked, they will likely apply for Social Security Income (SSI). If the person has worked but is no longer able to because of their autism, they may qualify for Social Security Disability (SSD).
If you plan to apply for these benefits, it’s important to be prepared. An experienced lawyer can walk you through the process in order to make sure you have all the documentation you need to prove your case. There are certain medical requirements that need to be met for both adults and children. In order to prove your case, you need to collect information such as a written diagnosis from your doctor, financial documents, and information about any therapies conducted. For children, statements from professionals or teachers may be very helpful.
