Paed appt yesterday (and question at the end about Child support)

[MummaBear03]

Well the paed said she wants to now see DD every 4 weeks instead of every 6 weeks. She also wants to start Occupational Therapy (which won't cost anything) and wants her to see a psychologist that specialises in the areas she has concerns about with DD. That will be fortnightly.

The Carer's Allowance is $105/fn, which meant that every 6 weeks I'd be getting $315 and with the Paed costing $350 (after medicare rebate) it was close enough to covering the cost of that. Now it's every 4 weeks which means only $210 will be paid by Carer's and the rest has to come from who knows where. The Psychologist is every 2 weeks at $160 a session, with the initial session costing $280 and being 30 minutes with just me and 40 minutes with DD. I don't know how I'm meant to see her with just me, and where DD is meant to be in that 30 minutes but she'll call today and let me know.

I want to do this for her, I want to help her in any way possible, and when it comes to these things this is one area I've always found money for, but I can't find any more than I already have found while still not working.

Anyway, I don't think there's really a point to this thread other than to say that DD needs help and I need a job to get her that help. I wasn't sure which section to put it in though, because it brings up the same issues of self-hating, and also all those people on here who think that single parents should be out working, I think of that and get so angry because of the amount of effort going into finding work and how desperate I am (and others too) to find work. So a few different things going on too.

I also had a question about child support. Do you think that if I put it in writing with copies of receipts, etc, they might be able to force idiot to pay for at least part of it? I mean, really, if I have to work despite barriers to provide for her, why can't he be forced to work against barriers to provide for her?

[flyawayfree]

You can get a reassessment on medical grounds, I was told. But you have to lay open every detail of your finances and so does he (you see each others), and then they make a decision.

I must say your paed is expensive though, and the psych too.

[MummaBear03]

Yeah the paed is the best one for her needs. I haven't looked into psychologists yet, the paed recommended this one, she's by referral only and the paed wrote a referral.

[SPC]

Is there a reason why you can't get a referral to the public system? Does your paed not do any public system work? Do they understand your situation? I get bulk billed because my doctor understands my situation. If your child is unwell enough to be seen monthly they must be unwell enough to be seen at the hospital? Are you sure they are not taking advantage of your anxiety?

[MummaBear03]

She has Asperger's Syndrome with OCD and anxiety. The OCD and anxiety are of most concern, and there is no paed in the public system who understands OCD in children who also has AS. The psychologist is to help her with the anxiety.

I haven't looked at other options as it was only mentioned yesterday but if the paed thinks this is the best one for her, and yes she's aware of the situation but was still reluctant to suggest another one, then I'm thinking it's best to go with her if I can work out a way to do so.

I've looked at all options, but in Townsville there is not much available for Autistic children, and even less available when they also have OCD and anxiety. My cousin had to relocate to Brisbane to get her son the help he needed.

I have to say, though, that I can't fault her school through all of this! They got her learner support straight up and they even gave her aide time throughout most of the day.

I've got nothing to hide with finances, on paper you can see where every cent is going!

[anewme]

Have asked the pead for a discount. Sometimes they will if you have a health care card and you ask. It would be worth a try.

[Nowhere]

Hey, that sucks hey the ycost of a special needs child is astronomical, totaly unfair i know.

You could try and apply for carers pension, They have lowered the criteria for the childs needs so that it makes it easier to get in terms of care levels ( havent made it any easier to get for ones whos husbands earn aparently to much, wth high care specal needs kds but thats another rant lol ) So you should apply for it, its worth a try others are so you may as well.


Maybe talk to the pead and say if he wants to see her every 4 week that you really need him to bulk bill, Also why cant yoou claim any of that off medcare and why are his fees to high the Head of neurology doesnt charge that much here, he is charging very very hgh prices and it doesnt seem like he is doing much for you.

Is your DD under the DSQ if not then ask him to refer as they can often help you with getting a pead that bulk bils, pluss they have speech, ot, and physio and sych etc

[Nowhere]

She has Asperger's Syndrome with OCD and anxiety. The OCD and anxiety are of most concern, and there is no paed in the public system who understands OCD in children who also has AS. The psychologist is to help her with the anxiety.

I haven't looked at other options as it was only mentioned yesterday but if the paed thinks this is the best one for her, and yes she's aware of the situation but was still reluctant to suggest another one, then I'm thinking it's best to go with her if I can work out a way to do so.

I've looked at all options, but in Townsville there is not much available for Autistic children, and even less available when they also have OCD and anxiety. My cousin had to relocate to Brisbane to get her son the help he needed.

I have to say, though, that I can't fault her school through all of this! They got her learner support straight up and they even gave her aide time throughout most of the day.

I've got nothing to hide with finances, on paper you can see where every cent is going!


As for no peads in publc system that can cope wth aspergerers and OCD if that is the case they need to be struck off, No offence to your Dd but there are kids out there with far more comples issues that are managed through the public system so I wouldnt let them come that BS wth you KWIM.

Honestly try DSQ they should be able to help.

[sandy cheeks]

Is that on the autsim spectrum? If so you can get a referal from your pead (a special number to take to medicare) if its so bad you need to take her so often you should be able to get it for your dd. It will reduce some of the psyc and pead by half but I think there is somesort of cap not sure how much but it's worth looking into.
Just keep nagging go to different drs maby try the hospital and ask to speak to a social worker either through CL or though a community house they often have good contacts and know just who to call iykwim.
As for cs if he has no/stuff all income you will only get a p!$$y amount they wont force him to pay more than the calulated amount even for medical costs unfortunatly, but if his on a good income then hell yeah I would go for it.

[MissBrightside]

I pay for OT and psychologist with the Facshia funding. Which I got through Autism Vic. Have you tried contacting them in your state?

[kiwibird27]

As your paed to bulk bill.. most will if u need to see them alot, tell him quite simple, u can't afford to pay, so he can either bulk bill or refer to another paed.

If u go to your GP or Paed and get an enhanced primary care package you get 20 free psychologist, or allied health services a year (medicare pays, there might be a slight co-contribution)

Aspergers syndrome should have u eligible for the Fachsia funding if your dd is under 7 years???

http://www.autismspectrum.org.au/index.php?mn=2-2-1-2&option=com_chronocontact&Itemid=347

You should call the ASPECT autism advisor line and ask for advice, there is also a $2000 out of area aspergers payment avaliable if she is under 7 years

[kiwibird27]

Anyway, I don't think there's really a point to this thread other than to say that DD needs help and I need a job to get her that help. I wasn't sure which section to put it in though, because it brings up the same issues of self-hating, and also all those people on here who think that single parents should be out working, I think of that and get so angry because of the amount of effort going into finding work and how desperate I am (and others too) to find work. So a few different things going on too.



I don't really know what your talking about.. raising a child with SN is a full time job, don't worry about what other people think, Just do what u need to get your dd help... bugger everyone else!!!

[MummaBear03]

I pay for OT and psychologist with the Facshia funding. Which I got through Autism Vic. Have you tried contacting them in your state?

Yes I have, and it's so frustrating. I'm about to call them again now.

It's hard because I'm still only working casual and not getting many hours, and have also just enrolled to study part-time, and also trying to sort this out for my daughter and work out how to afford it. It's like my brain is blocking all new information.

[sandy cheeks]

I just noticed you back in the thread, the thing I was talking about was the enhanced primary care package (thanks kiwi) does dd have one?