Asperger Syndrome Support Group
Asperger syndrome - also referred to as Asperger's syndrome, Asperger's, Aspergers or just AS - is one of five neurobiological pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), and is characterized by deficiencies in social and communication skills, normal to above normal intelligence, and standard language development.
Hi, I'm new to this website and joined to get support for my fibromyalgia and was thrilled to see an Aspergers group, as well.
My husband is an Aspie, he was diagnosed years ago in high school.
He is a gifted artist and very intelligent. His parents wanted him to have a college education (something I don't think everyone really needs, although I'm a college grad myself) and it was something he wanted as well. He incurred a few student loans while in school (something his parents had him do) and since 2007, he cannot find a job. He has worked with the Department of Vocational rehab for a total of nearly 6 years (3 in his home state and almost 3 where we live now) which has resulted in one $10 an hour job working about 30 hours over 5 days a week....with a 2 hour and 10 minute commute to work. He netted about $55 a week.
My question here is....does anyone have experience of getting their student loan forgiven due to the inability to get a job because of Aspergers? I've researched it on the internet an really can't find anything.
He owes around 15k, so not a huge amount, but payments do put a huge strain on our finances, since I am the sole wage earner.
I would appreciate any info. Thanks
My husband is an Aspie, he was diagnosed years ago in high school.
He is a gifted artist and very intelligent. His parents wanted him to have a college education (something I don't think everyone really needs, although I'm a college grad myself) and it was something he wanted as well. He incurred a few student loans while in school (something his parents had him do) and since 2007, he cannot find a job. He has worked with the Department of Vocational rehab for a total of nearly 6 years (3 in his home state and almost 3 where we live now) which has resulted in one $10 an hour job working about 30 hours over 5 days a week....with a 2 hour and 10 minute commute to work. He netted about $55 a week.
My question here is....does anyone have experience of getting their student loan forgiven due to the inability to get a job because of Aspergers? I've researched it on the internet an really can't find anything.
He owes around 15k, so not a huge amount, but payments do put a huge strain on our finances, since I am the sole wage earner.
I would appreciate any info. Thanks
I wish you luck.
do you know when the most recent guidelines were established? He was re-evaluated in 2011, when he was being qualified to get help from the DVR.
I have suggested he look into disability, but have to tell you it's not an easy conversation to have. He feels it's like him giving up. I did try to explain to him to look at it as a ways to a means. Once someone realizes his potential, he can always get off disability.
He also found a link for getting the loan...ummm... dissolved? Well, I can't remember the term now, but it will put his account on hold for 120 days while they decide. It's better than nothing and will allow him some time to see what he can do.
It might be time to get some legal advice. I do have a lawyer friend, she doesn't handle this kind of thing, but probably knows someone who does.
I'm sorry to say the DVR in both states have been of very little help. It's almost like he is caught in the middle of being different enough to not get mainstream jobs, but not so different he can get adequate help.
Thank you for the luck wish!
I can imagine that this is a hard conversation to have. Hopefully, he'll see things not as giving up, which he should never do, but just as getting help, which we all need sometimes.
Please keep us up to date on how things go.
https://www.autismspeaks.org/resource/autism-society-greater-cincinnati
Hope this helps! Hugs....
I recommend your husband apply for SSI. His failure to achieve permanent employment despite 6 years of effort with vocational rehab agencies will demonstrate that he really is unable (at this time) to be gainfully employed. There is a massive application that must be filled out, you can do it for him (but acknowledge you are doing it) or he can do it himself, but err on the side of exaggerating the difficulty he has in normal employment and daily living areas. My daughter got it on the first try, with me filling out the application, no attorney necessary. You do need to provide supporting medical documentation, which sounds like it would be easy in this case.
Once he gets SSI, the student loan people will automatically accept that, because the definitions of disability for SSDI or SSI are as stringent as anywhere.
It takes about 6 months to get approved for SSI, but they do back-date your aware to the start of your application or perhaps even earlier.
Always stress to your husband that he is not able to be gainfully employed right NOW because he certainly may be able to do so in the future. You have to be disabled for at least 3 years for the student loan people to permanently forgive the loan, but in that time he can be working on interpersonal skills, an artist's portfolio, networking, and volunteer work that interests him. Good luck! It can be done.