so what happens when they turn 18h

Is there a county or state mental health department in your area? They should be able to help you and your son when he turns 18. Not sure about school.

My DS automatically qualified for medical assistance (and all other services) until 21. By "automatically" I mean that I did not have to request it, I don't know if our post adoption worker had to do anything. Do you have a post adoption worker who you can ask? Otherwise, I would hope your son could qualify for disability due to his diagnoses.From what I understand you would not be responsible for your child's truancy after the age of 17 since that's the compulsory school age: [url]http://www.patruancytoolkit.info/index.cfm?pageid=2605#12[/url]

Some people apply for ss disability if their child is incapable of holding a job because of mental health issues or another type of disability. Some people will apply for guardianship if they believe their child is incapable of making important decisions relating to their life. Housing is another thing some people look into for their child. My dd quit school when she was 17. We were not held responsible. But if the child wants to go I think you have to provide a means. My dd is turning 18 in about 6 weeks. Let me know if you have more specific questions.

Our RAD son---who basically lived most of his life in residential due to dangerous behaviors---was given the opp to live in the RTC's extended housing. He went to school until age 21...then, decided he didn't need to live where he was. We were told we should NOT become his legal guardians for our own sake. It was good advice and we're glad we took it. He was his own person. I have also worked in a public school for Behaviorally disordered kids K-12. I believe you are NOT responsible for this child to attend school once he turns 18. As far as applying for SSI, that's probably a good idea and you could help; but in terms of staying deeply involved-unless this is what you want to do---I would not. I do not believe the majority of RAD people 'heal' over time. I think most of them just learn to accommodate to whatever level they choose to live. Sad, but true. Sincerely, Linny

This varies depending on state. However, if he receives disability he should also qualify for Medicaid. In some states, though I think not all, you can get Medicaid from age 18 to 21 without other qualifying status (ie. disability or having children). Legally, once he is 18 you are not responsible for anything. He can choose to drop out or simply to not show up or to leave. That's his choice. You are not even legally responsible to feed/ clothe, house him once he turns 18 (not saying you should kick him out on his 18th birthday, just giving some perspective that you are not responsible for his actions or welfare on a legal level at that point).

I'm sure every state is different, but in our state he would still be eligible for subsidy and medical as long as he is a full time high school student. My son turned 18 the beginning of his Sr. year. We just needed verification from the school that he was a registered full time student to continue his medical coverage and subsidy. We were no longer responsible for his school attendance once he turned 18. In fact, we were no longer notified if he missed school either because he was an adult. I'm not sure if it's an option for your family or not, but we added him to our health insurance policy specifically so he would have continued mental health services until he was 25.

Here the subsidy and medical assistance stops the day he turns 18. He already on our insurance but that pays very little of his mental health needs. The mental health part of his medical assistance has paid for most of it including 11 months in rtc and 7 months in tfc.

Linny, I agree with you. I have RAD and have had it all my life. As I have grown older, altho it is better, it has not completely healed. And yes, you do accommodate for it.In some ways it can be helpful because it keeps you away from requirements people make of you and expect you to fulfill. It appears to make saying "no" easier.I wish you the best.

Linny, I agree with you. I have RAD and have had it all my life. As I have grown older, altho it is better, it has not completely healed. And yes, you do accommodate for it. In some ways it can be helpful because it keeps you away from requirements people make of you and expect you to fulfill. It appears to make saying "no" easier. I wish you the best.