Oohhhhh nooooooooooooooo NO NO NO NO

**Lulu** · June 24th, 2010, 02:26 PM

I've just had a call from Autism Victoria, about my application for funding DS.

From all I know and all I've been told it that he needed a dx BEFORE he was 6 to be eligible for help for Occupational Therapy, Psychologists, Seminars and Family Support.

He got the dx before his 6th birthday, the Paed even saw him in her lunch hour instead of us having to wait the usual 3 weeks after the assessments were finished so she could sign everything that was needed.

But I didn't get the paperwork in before his 6th birthday, it got sent 2 weeks later. So now, even though it isn't mentioned anywhere on the website or the forms it apparently isn't about the dx being given - it's the FRICKEN PAPERWORK that needs to be in.

So maybe he isn't actually on the spectrum and we don't need any help after all since the PAPERWORK wasn't in on time.

I feel sick

**Spring Angel** · June 24th, 2010, 02:27 PM

How infuriating. Red tape gone mad!

kirsty_lee · June 24th, 2010, 02:28 PM

Ohhhhh no!!!!!

I soooo hope this is sorted out and it's just a glitch or something

**Winter** · June 24th, 2010, 02:31 PM

Don't take this lying down Lulu! Fight for your son's rights to funding. Make a right PITA of yourself and follow up everything, even going to see your MP and discussing with them if you get no joy. Fight the good fight Lulu, you got the dx before Cyclone was 6 so you have done the right thing & abided by the website guidelines.

**~me~** · June 24th, 2010, 02:32 PM

I would go further Lulu. Make a compaint that it is not mentioned anywhere that the forms needed to be in only the dx before he was 6. See if the Paed can help, perhaps he can ring and get somewhere.
If you don't get anywhere...go to an Ombudsmen or your local member. Mental Health is high on the governments agenda for this election that is coming up, use it to your advantage.
That is just wrong Lulu

**Bumperstump Cummerbund** · June 24th, 2010, 02:32 PM

Are you flamin' kidding me? What difference does it make when he's diagnosed? If he's got it, he's got it! That's a joke darl, and you know it. It's a kick in the lady bits right now, and you shouldn't hafta deal with it, but I reckon you can fight it

**Pandora** · June 24th, 2010, 02:33 PM

That's ludicrous. Ring your MP or the relevant minister and beat down doors. That's just wrong.

**RhiChiChi** · June 24th, 2010, 02:34 PM

Are you flamin' kidding me? What difference does it make when he's diagnosed? If he's got it, he's got it! That's a joke darl, and you know it. It's a kick in the lady bits right now, and you shouldn't hafta deal with it, but I reckon you can fight it

Totally agree - what a load of bull****

**onthefly** · June 24th, 2010, 02:35 PM

FARK. Two weeks, come on!
There must be a way to appeal this

**Nelle** · June 24th, 2010, 02:36 PM

WHAT??! Stupidest thing I've heard all day. I know you have it in you to fight this Lu but far out!

You shouldn't have to fight for services for your special needs child! Sheesh!

**Lulu** · June 24th, 2010, 02:54 PM

oh fark - PHEW. I called them back - she called me when I was driving and as soon as she kept pressing the point of the date etc, I just dropped the phone and kept driving. I've just had to pick up Mitch from his last day at school and I cried all the way home because he couldn't go there anymore, and I was on my way to check out a school for Elizabeth that will be good enough (imo) to have Mitch too.

They are going to let it through - it's an early intervention grant that is supposed to be help get them ready for school. It's not well advertised and I nearly missed it all together. Technically he is at school now, but also NOT because I have to home school him for next term and he is behind in interventions...one of the reasons is some stupid OT told me he probably wasn't on the spectrum.

If it wasn't for Raven pressing me to get him assessed anyway we'd be up shiat creek in a barbed wire canoe. I told Autism Victoria that something needs to be done because I shouldn't have found out from friends.

Apparently once they are over six, they are in school and are picked up by in-school funding. Problem is with alot of the kids with Aspergers are harder to dx because they don't have problems communicating and seem ok. Until you get a red traffic light and they go FRICKIN NUTS

P.S - she said they are pushing the govt to make it clearer. She agreed I should probably kick the OT in the shins as well.