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Thread: Teen with mild autism diagnosis

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
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    3

    Default Teen with mild autism diagnosis

    Hi,
    My teenage son has a diagnosis of mild autism that was given when he was 3 years old. He has made significant progress with years of therapy that we have done here in the US. We homeschool and would continue homeschooling in NZ as well. Most people who meet him have no idea of his diagnosis and I believe that if we didn't mention it in the medical exam, the doctor would not see a need to mention it either since my son is so high-functioning. We would NOT be seeking any therapy or support services in NZ. We have always paid for everything privately even here in the US.

    So my question is...do we mention the diagnosis or not on the medicals? We still receive some therapy benefits from our private medical insurance. Are insurance claims/records checked in the whole emigration process by NZ officials? Or do they just rely on what the medical doctor's report shows? My son could probably be rediagnosed to remove the original autism diagnosis but since we are still able to claim some benefits under that diagnosis here in the US, I wouldn't want to do this unless it was a must in order to pass the NZ medicals.

    Any advice or experience that anyone can share would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Posts
    490

    Default

    His doctor is ethically obligated to report any history she/he is aware of (whether it is physical or mental/emotional).

    Insurance records/claims are not checked.

    If his medicals are referred on to the medical assessor with NZIS, they will likely want a report from his autism support specialist on long-term prognosis and/or anticipated medical/mental health support he will need on arrival in NZ.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
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    3

    Default So it wouldn't be a definite "no" then?

    Just wondered how much our son's diagnosis would weigh against us? Any idea if it would be a "show stopper" especially if we had his autism therapy consultant write up a report stating her expectation that he would have minimal if any need for future support services? Has anyone gotten medicals approved for a child with a developmental disability?

    Regarding the doctor reporting whatever he was aware of, I understand that. But if we went to a doctor that was not already aware of my son's previous diagnosis, I highly doubt that they would arrive at such a diagnosis without us telling them. Does it matter if we go to a different doctor?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Coromandel peninsula - ex UK
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    1,540

    Default

    Hi Lala,

    Have you seen the forms you have to fill out for the medical? You can download it here.
    and the guidance notes are here.

    On the front of the form it says:

    You must tell the truth. Any false statement on this form may result in
    the application being declined, any visa or permit issued being cancelled
    and the applicant being required to leave New Zealand.
    It doesn't specifically ask if the applicant has a diagnosis of autism, but it does ask the following questions:

    Do you have any physical, mental, communication, developmental, or intellectual disabilities which may affect your ability to earn a living or take full care of yourself now or in later life?

    If you are under 21 years of age, are you in a special class or a special school, or are you receiving special support services or not at school because of a disability?

    Do you have or have you ever had.....Any other illness, injury, medical condition or disability (including intellectual) not mentioned above that has lasted more than two weeks or is recurring?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Posts
    3

    Default Has anyone passed medicals with a developmental delay?

    OK, so I agree after reading the forms that I would disclose my son's developmental disability. But that said, can anyone tell me if they have had problems or not with passing the medicals with such a diagnosis even if it wasn't severe? Thanks. I just don't want to encourage my husband to apply for the position he's considering in NZ if they are not going to approve our application due to our son's disability. I really appeciate all of your help.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Posts
    490

    Default

    Check out this link to a discussion on Asperger's (a form of high-functioning autism). You can PM (send a "private message" to some of the parents who posted on that discussion to discuss some of the questions you have)

    http://www.enz.org/forum/showthread....asperger+child

    My feeling is, always, on these kinds of questions that come up on this list ("Will they deny based on **fill-in-the-blank condition**?") is that if the candidate is strong, esp if she/he is able to work in an area of long-term skills shortage, and the medical need not on the absolute "we can't accept" list and not requiring long-term regular use of the health care system to care for this need...that, after medical assessors review it, most conditions are a non-issue.

    But that's just my sense - I may be way off!

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