Autism/testing for autism

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Expert: - 5/23/2009


Question
My neighbor is 70, alcoholic, and the guardian of his 26 year old son. He has
recently asked me to help him establish a Special Needs Trust for his son. The
son is not capable of caring for himself but he has never been tested to
determine if he has a disability. What is the next step for getting his son tested
so that he can qualify for federal assistance.

Answer
Sandra,

Go to the son's medical doctor and get his or her recommendation. The son needs to be diagnosed by a medical doctor that works in the autism field. If you are not an attorney, you should probably consult one about setting up this trust.

I wish you the best,
Tim Runner, Education Advocate
Email: timrunner@cox.net
You can learn more at my web site:
www.special-education-answers.com
www.education-advocates.com (for DSL and phone)

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Tim Runner

Expertise

Questions concerning autistic student special education: IEP, assessments, Due Process, mediation, resolution conference, federal law, state law, qualifying for services, residential treatment, special day classes, resource specialists, procedures, having your child assessed, adaptive PE, speech & language, non-public school, FAPE, tuition reimbursement for private schools and treatment centers .

Experience

I have been an education advocate representing students and parents for six years. My experience includes: representing my clients in IEPs, SSTs, Due Process, review assessment results for my clients and for other advocates, and mediations. I have represented clients with learning disabilities, autism, Downs Syndrome, cognitively challenged, emotional problems, learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, and physical disabilities. I have also represented clients to County Mental Health Departments and Regional Centers. My clients range from pre-school to college students in California and various other states.

Education/Credentials
I have a degree in Mathematics from the University of California with minors in Psychology and Physics. I also studied applied statistics in the field of psychology at both the undergraduate and graduate level. I have taught college classes, conducted seminars, written articles for various publications, and testified as an expert witness.

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