Can I Get Disability for ADD or ADHD?
Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD is a serious inability to remain focused, to concentrate or to complete tasks in a timely manner. Hyperactivity Disorder (HD) may be related and involves the inability to be still or relaxed in a manner that interferes with activities of daily living. The combined type is ADHD which combines both concentration deficits with hyperactivity.
ADHD is often thought of as a problem for children. However, many adults have either ADD or ADHD and these conditions can pose serious restrictions on the ability to perform the mental activities required of remunerative, competitive work.
Will Social Security pay benefits for ADHD? The answer is, maybe.
If you can prove that the ADHD has lasted for 12 months or more, is severe enough to interfere with your ability to perform normal age appropriate activities, including school or work functions, you may be able to get benefits. Treatment by a medical or psychiatric professional is vital. Social Security will usually want to see that you have tried medical treatment and that such treatment has failed to improve your symptoms to the point that you are no longer disabled. If the claimant is a child of school age, educational records will be important to show that the child is not able to perform academically, emotionally and/or socially as other children of his or her age.
Merely having a diagnosis of ADD or ADHD will not qualify for benefits. The questions will be: How severe are the symptoms, how long have they lasted and what medical treatment has been tried?
Many parents are very reluctant to put their child on medications for ADD or ADHD. This is understandable and it is always the parent's choice. However, Social Security will often be equally reluctant to put a child on years of benefits without giving medical treatment a chance to reduce the disabling effects of the ADD or ADHD.
If you or a member of your family struggle with ADD or ADHD, it would be advisable to speak with your doctor about the pros and cons of possible intervention. Get the full story, then make the choice that you feel is best for yourself or your child.
ADHD is often thought of as a problem for children. However, many adults have either ADD or ADHD and these conditions can pose serious restrictions on the ability to perform the mental activities required of remunerative, competitive work.
Will Social Security pay benefits for ADHD? The answer is, maybe.
If you can prove that the ADHD has lasted for 12 months or more, is severe enough to interfere with your ability to perform normal age appropriate activities, including school or work functions, you may be able to get benefits. Treatment by a medical or psychiatric professional is vital. Social Security will usually want to see that you have tried medical treatment and that such treatment has failed to improve your symptoms to the point that you are no longer disabled. If the claimant is a child of school age, educational records will be important to show that the child is not able to perform academically, emotionally and/or socially as other children of his or her age.
Merely having a diagnosis of ADD or ADHD will not qualify for benefits. The questions will be: How severe are the symptoms, how long have they lasted and what medical treatment has been tried?
Many parents are very reluctant to put their child on medications for ADD or ADHD. This is understandable and it is always the parent's choice. However, Social Security will often be equally reluctant to put a child on years of benefits without giving medical treatment a chance to reduce the disabling effects of the ADD or ADHD.
If you or a member of your family struggle with ADD or ADHD, it would be advisable to speak with your doctor about the pros and cons of possible intervention. Get the full story, then make the choice that you feel is best for yourself or your child.
Comments
Post a Comment