Autism!
 

Hey guys
Me again........
One of my little ones has autism, does anyone know if this will be a problem when applying for residency?
Thanks again
Jenni

Re: Autism!
 

I would expect so. If Autism doesn't count as excess demand on the state I can't imagine what would. Can you lose that diagnosis or get it changed to something like "spectrum disorder, ADHD"?

Re: Autism!
 

We have been told his diagnosis my be down scaled to aspergers as he no longer shows all the rigidity of autism. He is'nt on any medication at all and doesnt have and medical needs!

Re: Autism!
 

See if you can get that lesser diagnosis. There are posters here (names escape me right now) who have immigrated with Aspie children without problems. I think a disgnosis of "Autism" would set off alarm bells.

Re: Autism!
 

Thanks for the advice :D
We have an appointment regarding this in a couple of weeks so fingers crossed!
Any personal experiences would be greatly recived :D

Re: Autism!
 

I don't know that changing his diagnosis to Asperger's it will make a difference. In Canada, Asperger's and "Autism" are both part of the Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Having said that, I have no idea if that will hinder immigration.

Re: Autism!
 

A very broad spectrum spanning "mildly eccentric" or Asperger's and "dysfunctional permanent burden on the state" or Autism. It would be as well not to suggest the latter on one's immigration application.

Re: Autism!
 

The inadmissibility stems from what is termed "excessive demand". They define it generally by estimating if your child will need medical care costing above the per-capita average (arounf $5000 per year I believe).

Visa officers are instructed to assess each case individually and not simply reject applicants based on the name of their condition.

If you think its going to be an obsticle you really need to be making a case that there would not be excessive demand. For example a record of all treatment/care needed thus far over the last few years and potentially expert opinions on future treatment/care required and the likely cost.

Re: Autism!
 

i know a family that has this and they are going through PR, make sure that you get your records sorted, does he need extra help, what help do you get in uk and would you need any help here, i am glad that you came on here and asked, if you also look at the blue bar above and use the advanced search, the topic has been discussed before and as long as you can prove no extra help is needed then you have a strong case.

:thumbsup:

Re: Autism!
 

'excessive demand' costs include medical, educational and social services, so costs incurred through any extra help at school (1-1 support etc), respite provision, CAMHS etc, as well as medical.
allegedly.
but it's possible, if you're willing to jump through a few hoops and prove that there are no (or minimal) costs that Canada will incur. Of particular interest might be the Designated Medical Practitioner Handbook, which details the questions you will be asked about your child, including details of any developmental delays etc.
How old is your little one? The pre-school scales are very specific as to age appropriate developmental milestones.
My daughter has missed them all, but we still have our fingers crossed and know that she will be referred for specialist medical after we have submitted all of the additional medical reports etc :)

Re: Autism!
 

Wher my kids go to school for example there are a number of autistic children. Generally the policy of the school board is that these children are provided with a 1-1 EPA (Educational Personal Assistant). Given that a child in this area would be entitled to that level of care it would be almost impossible to argue there would be no excessive demand. Generally it seems they dont accept that if a service is available that you would choose not to access it.

So you would need to have a case to show that your child would not qualify for this level of care in the area you are planning to settle in my opinion.

Another consideration is that the rules are relaxed for Business Class applicants (Investors, Entreprenuers etc) who demonstrate sufficient "ability and intent" to personally cover the cost of care or additional services needed.

Medical inadmissibility is a complex area though and there seems to be a slight lack of consistency to the way applications are treated so it could go either way.

Re: Autism!
 

Mm. My daughter isn't on any meds and has no medical 'needs', but she still has 'cerebral palsy' stamped all over her files. It's enough to make any immigration officer take to the hills, despite the fact she'd walk in and have a chat with him, and read him a chapter or two of Virginia Woolf if he was bored... (she's 5...) ;)

Like Paul said, it's a very grey area and there are no guarantees, but all you can do is try. And buy lottery tickets.

Re: Autism!
 

Hi

I also posted a couple of weeks ago regarding ADHD and a lot of people have also said that I will need to get as much information to support our case regarding PR.

We are just at the beginning of our journey. So could be a couple of years away until PR becomes an issue.

Good luck:confused:

Re: Autism!
 

The spectrum is called "The Autistic Spectrum". ie...if a person is anywhere along the spectrum, they have autism.

(FWIW, I don't like the term autistic, nor diabetic, nor schizophrenic etc etc....as all of these describe the person AS a condition.....the preference is for "a person WITH autism, or WITH diabetes etc etc") :)

Re: Autism!
 

Nonetheless, in popular parlance "autism" is finger twiddling, car scratching, semi-human, while ADHD, Asperger's and so on are conditions with which people live successfully. To choose a label which carries a stigma is to shoot oneself in the foot when negotiating with a bureaucracy.

I expect you know that autistic people prefer to be called autistic people as they feel that the autism does define them. In much the same way as some deaf people define themselves by deafness. However, don't hestitate to impose your small minded preference on the world. What those of dealing with autism most need is your condescension.