There's federal SSI for kids who are disabled, if the parents make a certain (low) income. You would need to go to the nearest Social Security office & get a form (it used to be green). Fill it all out, with doctor's names & school teacher's names & all. You can get help from a school professional or social worker at your doctor's office, if it's too hard to fill out. Then turn it in. It usually takes several months, and you may get rejected a couple of times, but keep applying & if you make the correct income he should be eligible for it. It'll get reviewed every couple of years, but he can get it until he's 18, when he can get adult SSI for himself.

With one child you have to make less than $3,000. a month to get anything.you might be better off quitting your jobs and start doing therapy yourself.I just stopped workin two years after my sons diagnosis and he has improved a lot.We get enough money from SSI to pay for most the rent.Rent here is real expensive not like where I moved from.I dont know the rules for Tennessee, but my guess is they pretty much go by the same guidelines- your income bottom line.They include your rent when figuring.It was the best thing I ever did and its been 6 months.I wish I would of been able to do it earlier, but its never too late.Good luck!Were here for you,

What i mean about therapy yourself is observing your sons therapists and working with him just like they do.It will go a long way.Swinging in a blanket is so good for him and it stimulates the inner ear and will help tremendously with vocalizing.I recently started swinging a lot more.Picture cards are something you are going to need to get familiar with.Children with autism need to see pictures of things to go along with the words.It helps them recognise and understand language.Its a must in my eyes.you can use digital camera, draw your own, and have trained people make them.My sons speech therapist has been wonderful supplying me with laminated pec cards and I buy velcro to put them on a laminated plain piece of paper.Its going to be helpful to have pictures seperated to certain areas of house.Food scards should stay in kitchen,etc.I didnt realize the this until I started getting treatment.If you can start now with one picture for drink and show him the card everytime he has a drink it will help know that card means drink and later on he will be able to hand you card for drink.that takes a long time.It is rewarding when it finally happens.I remember my son not doing this and when he did it was amazing.It may sound weird or unecessary, but even as he grows pictures are going to be a big part of his life.

i live in tn as well and recently went to ssi office, i was told income for 3 ppl, two adults, one child, had to be less then 3,000 a month. it would pay for you to stay home with your son, he would also qualify for tncare which would be a huge help!

Check out if your area has any MHMR funds available. It is also referred to Dept. of aging and disabilities. Call ASA in your area to get more specifics.

great idea Olismom, unfortuneately for sum all help in the state of TN is income based. personally, i think that is sooo unfair, you have to go bankrupt before you can get the help your child is entitled to in the state of TN

I know, here there are allotments by population studies from years ago, and many counties have grown too much to get the funds to be sufficient. How about old fashion car washes and bake sales from your church, Lions clubs, Elks, FOP etc.? SSI is the best option if you are under the income line, but it is not that much money if you are close to the line. Get medicaid or CHIPS. I know people get services with those health plans.

How about community social services, like church based counselors. The problem I have is that nobody can understand how to service my kid, so I can't find the help, regardless of the cost.

One thing, I got SSI...

Also, you can incorporate the therapy at home scattergorized throughtout the day.

Ex:
Speech therapy during play and use the z-vibe and tip before every meal that helps him feel his muscles in his mouth

The brushing as showed to you by an O.T. after breakfast, maybe once throughout the day, and after dinner...

If you get swings in a room, he can go on those during play and he'll prob. want to start going to use them at certain times.

These are just a couple examples that really give alot of input, and can be done as you can see throughout the day, not just having the appts. So it can be greater benefit as well when you can take these appts. and do them scattergorized throughout the day as part of a routine. I hope this helps.

luv,
kris

Thank everyone so much for all your help. I think this will work for us because we have 5 in our family. It is true that everything is income based in TN. Before I have tried to get help with childcare but we are a 2 parent household and even though we have low income we work TOO much. It's crazy. Anyway thanks for all the information.