It can be difficult for parents in Florida to handle a child who might have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In addition to the problems that the child will have functioning in society, there are the financial costs of seeking treatment. It is with this in mind that there is the option of seeking Social Security disability benefits for mental conditions. Understanding how the Social Security Administration defines ADHD is the first step to seeking benefits for this mental disorder.
According to the SSA, ADHD is exemplified by inappropriate amounts of inattentiveness, impulsive acts and being hyperactive. In order for there to be an approval for benefits, it is necessary that both categories A and B be met when there is a medical evaluation. In category A, there must be a medical finding of each of the following: marked inattention, marked impulsiveness and marked hyperactivity. In category B, for toddlers and older infants ages 1 to 3, a minimum of one of the criteria for organic mental disorders must be met in category B1. For those ages 3 to 18, they must meet a minimum of two of the criteria for B2.
B1 requires toddlers and infants between the ages of 1 to 3 to be determined as functioning communicatively and cognitively at a level of half what the chronological age is. This will be determined by a standardized test, medical findings of an abnormality, social functioning that is generally appropriate for those half the chronological age or a function that is generally acquired by children who are two-thirds of the child’s chronological age. For B2, there must be two of the following: an impairment in cognitive and communicative function that is appropriate to the age, an impairment in social functioning, an impairment in age-appropriate personal functioning and marked issues in trying to maintain pace, persistence and concentration.
When there are these problems with a child, a parent might not believe there is any help available in terms of Social Security disability. However, there are benefits that can be sought through the SSA if all the requirements listed above are met.
Source: ssa.gov, “112.11 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder,” Accessed on July 21, 2015
