Aliyah with child w/ADD or ASD diagnosis

amother

Sun, Aug 06 2023, 9:02 pm

Can someone advise what services, educational and or social, there are that would be helpful for (currently) english speaking olim (living in RBS)?

Have 6 year old diagnosed with ADD and in process of having evaluations quite possibly on the ASD spectrum or NVLD (Nonverbal learning disorder - has difficulty with motor, visual-spatial, and social skills).

Other children have very strong academic and social skills and all else seems to make sense for Aliyah, but trying to research what the landscape looks like in terms of olim needing special education or other related options.

If someone could also advise what their experience was in terms of ADD medication...what the process was in terms of finding doctor and getting prescriptions renewed etc...

Thanks in advance!

amother

Apple

Mon, Aug 07 2023, 2:01 am

Good morning. There's a WhatsApp chat for moms of ASD kids in RBS that can provide information.

You will probably get a lot better responses if you ask on the RBS Facebook group. You can make a fake account and join.

You can receive disability for ASD but not really ADHD unless it's more severe. Renewing medication can be done on the clinic apps or calling a secretary. It's really not a big deal at all.

Medication is not the first route that should be persued. There's lots of side affects, some people don't do well on any, it takes time to find the right dose and medication etc. There's other things you can do first unless your kid is super aggressive and isn't functioning at all.....

amother

Cinnamon

Mon, Aug 07 2023, 6:10 am

My brother was a bit older when we made aliya - but I think you need to be aware that the supports here are both different and much less comprehensive then those in NYC, specifically once you move past the school.

My parents researched the supports available at the stage he was at really well, but did not look far enough into the future with him and its hard.

He is to high functioning to qualify for anything from Boteach Leumi, but is 28 and needs significant support that my parents provide out of pocket in addition in order to function, and is not capable of independent living. NYC is much better at recognizing the supports that higher functioning ASD needs with OPWDD.....

amother

Cinnamon

Mon, Aug 07 2023, 6:11 am

amother OP wrote:

Also - you will probably need to redo any evaluation with a dr. that Bituach leumi recognizes, and there Dr.'s will try to weasel out of the ASD diagnosis, because that requires them to provide more services.

amother

Mon, Aug 07 2023, 10:23 am

Thanks for the replies

Regarding medication - he already takes and on meds/doses that work well for him BH - more concerned about how it will play out in terms of getting refills since in US it can only be filled 30 days at a time. How much time doe it take to find a dr, get appointment, and will Israeli docs renew/continue US scripts if have medical records?

Which types of drs in Israel prescribe/manage meds like ritalin/concerta etc...in US often its not primary pediatrician, but can be a child neurologist, psychiatrist etc...

Is there a way to find out if Bituach Leumi would recognize evaluations done in the US - like a website that could check or similar?

Super high functioning - dont know if would qualify for so many down the line services like OPWDD in NY either...

Regarding language and learning Hebrew his struggles are more in the non verbal and social navigation - would think he would be ok learning Hebrew (reads and understands some basic now based on what up to in school). But thanks for mentioning it.

More thinking like what school-age supports are available. Are there english speaking or new olah appropriate special ed or mainstream with guidance options?

Thanks

amother

Daisy

Mon, Aug 07 2023, 1:04 pm

Medication is not the first route that should be persued. There's lots of side affects, some people don't do well on any, it takes time to find the right dose and medication etc. There's other things you can do first unless your kid is super aggressive and isn't functioning at all.....[/quote]

Not everyone has the same experience. My dc has no side effects at all on his current med. It took a few tries to find what works for him but the process was easy. He is doing amazing with meds. If your child needs meds please give it to them.

amother

Apple

Mon, Aug 07 2023, 2:05 pm

amother Cinnamon wrote:

Not sure why he wasn't able to get Bituach Leumi. I receive full Bituach Leumi for ASD. Maybe they didn't know how to apply right.

I live independantly and am married, a mom, work etc.

amother

Apple

Mon, Aug 07 2023, 2:08 pm

amother OP wrote:

A primary doctor can renew medications but it's reccomended to see a speacilist to start and find the right one.

You will have to redo evaluations here likely but having from America will be respected and is very important for Bituach Leumi.

If he is high functioning he can still receive Bituach Leumi for ASD. There's a lot of services and benefits.

The special needs schools here are really for people with severe special needs.

imasinger

Mon, Aug 07 2023, 2:09 pm

amother Apple wrote:

I have a friend who is making aliya soon, and would really appreciate being added to this chat, could you please PM or email me anonymously at myimamotherfriends@gmail.com and let me know how to get her added? TIA!

amother

Cinnamon

Mon, Aug 07 2023, 2:11 pm

amother Apple wrote:

Not sure why he wasn't able to get Bituach Leumi. I receive full Bituach Leumi for ASD. Maybe they didn't know how to apply right.

I live independantly and am married, a mom, work etc.

No - Bituach Leumi wont recognize his american evaluation and according to them he does not have ASD. They have had lawyers working on his case who specialize in this for 5 years now.

This is a big issue with american evaluations - they will make you do a new evaluation here, and it will be a long drawn out process and you wont qualify for anything until you are approved.

I would recommend reaching out to NBN or Chaim Vchessed before shelling out cash for an evaluation that you will need to redo.

amother

Apple

Mon, Aug 07 2023, 2:14 pm

amother Cinnamon wrote:

Well how old is he? You said he wasn't much older..... If a kid is under 15/16 they can do the evaluations here and get recognized. If they over that age it really is unlikely.

But once you get approved most people have it for life.

amother

Cinnamon

Mon, Aug 07 2023, 2:14 pm

amother Apple wrote:

Again - not true. my brother was evaluated by a comprehensive team in Boston Children's Hospital, and they did not recognize the diagnosis, and he was not approved for anything. He was a teen at time of aliya and very high functioning, but can not function without very expensive supports.

amother

Cinnamon

Mon, Aug 07 2023, 2:18 pm

amother Apple wrote:

He made aliya at 13, was reevaluated by a Bituach leumi dr. who claims he does not have ASD and has been denied services. They got a private evaluation which Bituach Leumi refused to recognize Even though he can not function with a team of private specialists, and was diagnosed and approved for services in the states.

My parents are in debt paying for all of this....

amother

Apple

Mon, Aug 07 2023, 2:41 pm

amother Cinnamon wrote:

I'm sorry to hear about your brother. Sometimes there are people who fall through the cracks of the system. It's a hard system to play sometimes.

But I know from others who work in the field that although bituach leumi will not accept an evulatuon done in the states, if there's paperwork backing that the child has had issues and services and diagnoses and all this stuff for the past five or ten years that definitely makes a stronger case for the than someone who suddenly gets an evaluation at age 13 without any prior issues or paperwork which can raise red flag if it is being faked or not.

amother

Apple

Mon, Aug 07 2023, 2:43 pm

amother Cinnamon wrote:

Bituach leumi said he doesn't have ASD? Bituach leumi stopped accepting a lot of private evaluations recently due to fraud. Lots of people faking ASD.

You can get an eval through your Healthcare insurance here which is accepted, although wait times are longer.

If a child is currently 9/10 he definitely has time to get all that in order.

amother

Babyblue

Mon, Aug 07 2023, 2:57 pm

OP, just popping in to comment on the potential NVLD part. I am currently living in Israel now about 6 years and am an adult with NVLD. I actually find it easier living here than in the States socially. There is a lot more that is acceptable in terms of topics of conversations and Israelis are generally more direct than Americans. Language is not an issue for me at all. In fact, I have noticed that Israelis as a whole act like they have NVLD.

What is an issue is navigation. It has taken me a long time to learn how to get around and I'm still not comfortable getting places by myself at all.

In terms of a potential NVLD diagnosis just be aware that Israel does not use the DSM so he may still qualify for some kind of services. For example I know someone who recently got her daughter evaluated and even though she didn't get a concrete diagnosis she did still qualify for extra help.

In terms of ADD my DH has it. If you still have his current documents you'll have an easier time getting is diagnosis transferred. My DH had to get rediagnosed here because his doctor in NY no longer had his stuff. Once that happened his primary doctor has been able to prescribe his meds, but any change whatsoever needs to be done through a psychiatrist and there's a year long wait for those.

amother

Wed, Aug 09 2023, 8:56 pm

amother Babyblue wrote:

In terms of a potential NVLD diagnosis just be aware that Israel does not use the DSM so he may still qualify for some kind of services. For example I know someone who recently got her daughter evaluated and even though she didn't get a concrete diagnosis she did still qualify for extra help.

Thanks for this info - do you know what scales/assessments are used in Israel?
Also do you know what type of extra help she qualified for?

Or if someone can post some URLS to some websites that clearly define what is available in terms of services assuming someone might qualify

TIA