My Husband is in school working on a Ph.D. for School Psychology program.  He currently has a Master's Degree.  He said to ask you when you last talked with the School Pyschologist.  That is a right you have as a parent.  He said in Elementry School a child learns skills on how to learn.  He said if the IEP program she is in does not include elementry skill building, you might ask that that be included.  My husband as part of his School Pysch program works in a clinic at the college for children with learning/behavioral problems, he said if you find a college in your area that does this you may be able to get services from them at a reduced rate, something to look into.  I hope this helps.  Good luck with everything.

Michele 

I don't know if i can help much.. but maybe it worth be worth trying... I'm from Nebraska and we have a really good...benefits i guess you could call them for the mentally impaired.  I'm a coach for the special in my town. I dont know too much about because i'm just in on the special olympics part... Does your school system have a special olympics team?? This is something you could ask her iep or sped teachers.  I know my mother-in-law who is hte main coach knows more about this, but she hates the internet so she wouldn't help.. All three of her kids are sped kids from school. my husband and his brother just have comprehension problems but my sister-in-law is thirty with the mind of a ten year old..  She works in a workshop in a nearby town for people with severe learning disabilities who can't get a regular job.  One thing i have learned is never let anybody convince you OR YOUR DAUGHTER that she can't do anything.  she has know she has limits, yes, but within those limits, she can do so much.  try googling special olympics... if nothing else it might get you intouch with something who could help you find the right office.  or talk to her teachers at school.  that's all i got. 

tabby

Try just appling for social security.Social security/disability is something they give you for awhile til you can work,and since your daughter won't be able to work they denied you.Why does your daughter like the new class?I work in a highschool and see alot of special needs kids,with a mentality of a 6 or 7 yr.old and are doing fine.They can go to a regular school til they are 21.Hope you find an answer.

Yvonne

Anita, Please allow me to speak frankly and from my heart:  You need to be your daughters best advocate.  I'm sure you have been over the years.  Now that she's getting older and closer to graduating and soon developing into a woman, I'm sure your fears are even greater.  Use the resources that your school and county has to offer. Snoop. Ask questions. Don't stop.  I know it is exhausting. I have a 27 year old son who suffers from a seizure disorder and has a mental age of a 6 year old and a social age of a teenager.    My state has a wonderful program (statewide) incorporating special ed and regular ed students. We decided to put him into the inclusive ed program where he would attend regular ed classes with a student aide.  We focused on his social skills which ended up landing him a job. His aide goes to work with him and he gets paid! After graduation, he went on to a IEP program after high school which allowed him to work on job skills. He was able to attend that program until age 26.  The IEP program works with agencies and assigns job coaches to teach job skills and the students then are able to get a part time job (where their job coach goes with them).  My son now lives in a private group home setting with 16 other residents and they have a great time there.    My son needs 24 hour supervision as well.  He'll never be able to dial a phone so I got him a flip phone (voice activated cell) to where he opens it and says, "call mom", its great and demonstrates independence.  Focus on your daughters strengths and interests and ask the school to incorporate those. There is hope out there.  Also, reapply for SSI.  Don't give up.   

If you are not getting any help yes go to your school counselers.And if you need to do testing have the school pay for it. And I would also start calling my senator. Every child and adult is entiteled to the right care an education it makes me sick how people who need help have to beg.

Smile

Sheilah

Anita, I commented earlier but wanted to address your other concern with insurance and genetics testing: Is there a Mental Health Agency in your area that can assist you with your daughter's needs, job skills etc..maybe point you in the right direction for obtaining insurance for her? That would be a good place to start. Check with your local social service agencies. I wish you the best. My heart goes out to you and your family.

Look at this web site it shows you how rehab services are used to help with employment later in life and also what opitions are out there for the level you are at now.            http://www.ldonline.org/indepth         hope it helps i also am a single mom of a adhd child from 1-8 grade,the road has not been easy but i did research and followed thru every IEP to make sure they were doing thier part.By law if a child does not recieve the help he needs from his public school then that school must pay for him to go to a private school and it cost the parent nothing.From your words this has been since elementary school,then the school has failed to show you each year that her reading level and math level would have been per say:70% with accuracey to read or do certain math skills within that given year,then the school has failded year after year.So now you must do the research and show the school they have failed and to move your child to a different school. My son is in 10th now but in 9th i took him out of IEP,he struggles more than his peers but I have a friend who has a son in IEP for 1 class who hates 11th grade only because the kids make fun of him for being in special ed.I suggested summer school for the 1 class so it's more one on one teacher to student interaction.Do what you must weither its after school tutoring,which the school provides,but please remember at 9th grade they are going thru bodily changes to, so do all you can outside her "peers eyes" to help her stay confident and not singled out.Good Luck my heart and prayers go out to you.

hi,

i have a learning disability too and i am bi-polar on top of that. i hope you have a good day.  :)

i have been on s.s.i. since i was three because of my disabilty. and Kern regenioal centeer. my sister works ar B.A.R.C. for people like us. maybe you could contact a mental health place and they could help you too.  just trying to help.  good luck

Is your daughter an SLD student. DH. or MH.  Your IEP team should be looking into help for your daughter through the transition section of the IEP.