[excited2adoptsoon]

You guys were all SO helpful in my medi-cal post, thank you!!

I'm trying to determine what is considered "special needs". Originally I was told my newborn was special needs because she was born testing positive to meth. Baby had zero withdrawls, zero issues. She's in perfect health and on target or above target in all areas. I hear we should still be concerned about the future as meth issues usually show up later. So should I be fighting to have my baby considered special needs when the adoption is being finalized? Or should I let it go since she's in perfect health now?

[dachshunds4you]

As far as I understand it in CA, all kids are considered special needs.
Our daughter was pos for meth, she has no issues of any kind, and she receives her subsidy and medi-cal. And she was just over 1 when we signed our papers.

Unless things have changed in the last year or so, I really thought all kids who were foster children (in CA, I know a lot of states are dift) and are being adopted are considered special needs.

[excited2adoptsoon]

dach, that is great to hear! I hope it works the same for us.

How old is your daughter now? Have you ever had to have some type of testing to insure your daughter isn't having after effects of the meth? I picked my baby up from the hospital and she's had a few well checks...but nothing special for her testing positive for meth. I need to do more research and see if there's anything special I need to know. But I'd love to know if you've had to take any special percautions, etc.

[dachshunds4you]

She is now 2 1/2 almost 3. She was placed with us at 6 wks old from another foster home. They wanted her moved to an adoptive home, which is how we got her. I'm so glad we said yes when they called! Since she was the one we were able to adopt.

We haven't had any testing on her done...she was tested by regional services when she was about 10-11 months and she passed with flying colors.
She is really smart and learns really quickly. I notice no delays or behavior issues at this time. I have heard others mention that some of their kids, as they get school age, have ADHD, so we'll watch out for that as she gets a little older.

I've done a little research, but I think it depends on how much they were exposed to while in bmom's womb (which we'll never really know) and what else were they exposed to (which we wont know either). I figure we'll just take whatever challenge we may encounter as she gets older.

But I'm really confident for you to qualify for the special needs. From what I understand, there are so many children in foster care in CA, especially LA County, that all kids qualify for it, whether newborn or not, whether or certain race or not. I would ask your worker if they qualify...I'm sure they would tell you.

I can't remember if you're direct through the state or through an agency?

[mommytoEli]

we adopted 2 meth babies from CA. they both get aap bc almost all kids in CA are "special needs" bc they consider "adverse parental background" to be a special need of the child. but my first son was also experiencing delays and other medical issues, so he receives an increased special needs stipend. our second one is super healthy despite the meth exposure. he has a touch of reflux...not even bad enough to be medicated. so he only gets the regular rate. it is a slight difference.

most likely your child is already considered special needs enough for the regular aap stipend (check with your worker), but don't be afraid to ask about additional stipend for future needs. i bet they'll say if the child's needs change, contact them at that time for a re-evaluation and in the meantime give you the standard aap rate...but it doesn't hurt to ask.

[Yash]

Excited,

My SW told me 99.9% of the kids in LA foster care get the AAP.

[takingtheplunge]

Originally Posted by excited2adoptsoon

I'm trying to determine what is considered "special needs". Originally I was told my newborn was special needs because she was born testing positive to meth. So should I be fighting to have my baby considered special needs when the adoption is being finalized?

I know people have responded, but I am not sure the really have addresed your question 100%.

There are two classifications for special needs. One is for truly special needs, i.e. down syndrone, blind, etc. What you are referring to, I believe, is the "special needs" classification for AAP (after adoption assistance) and for the tax credit.

Not all children are considered special needs for aap and tax credit who are in foster care. They need to either have a condition at birth (example, heart trouble, drug exposure, etc) and/or have adverse parental background with history of mental issues and/or abuse, and/or be placed as part of a sibling set. Who might not get it? Someone who took in their sister's kid might not get it if their sister's kid was healthy and sister not mentally challenged (as a brief example).

Your question: should we fight for it?
We didn't have to. They just sent us the forms to sign at the end. We could opt to "defer" which means not take it unless we needed it later, or we could just take it right away. Our SW did not in any way try to talk us out of getting it now. The for AAP was history of bi-polar in the family. They did not mention exposure. I questioned this. They said explosure was on another form (which it was) but they did not need that to qualify her because of the other reason. So, even though she is as happy as a clam and thiving like a weed, we were given the "special needs" label for AAP and the tax credit without any need to "fight" for it. Further, should issues come up down the road (AHAD, Bi-Polar), we can request more assistance.

Now, keep in mind AAP is funded differently than your foster stipend, although the amount will probably be the same. In past years, AAP amounts have fluxuated w/ budgets. As such, when we recently finalized, the SW reminded us (just like they did in training) that AAP is not guaranteed until 18. Further, due to current budget crisis, they expect AAP will be targeted. What does this mean? They could look at case by case if you really really need it (i.e. income level and health of child).

Lastly, from what I researched, a lot of the exposure problems to meth are manifested at birth: low birth weight, heart trouble, preterm birth, addiction. Your child may have had all, one or none of these. What can't be known or seen is the tendency toward ADD and/or ADHD when the child is older.

This is a side note. I have a kid in class who diplays ADHD behaviors ten-fold. He is being raised my grandparents. When I inquired about possible ADHD, they said, "yah, he probably has this; he is a crack baby." I was horrified that they were so callous in their response. They refered to him again as a crack baby in another conversation when I mention how his spelling suggests their could be a concern (tranferring problems, reversing letters, etc).
People can be sooo insensitive. Though this kid might have ADHD and some processing issues, he reads well, tests advanced on the state tests and is verbally bright and analytical.

So, don't let labels stop your baby from growing up respectfully.

[DannieAS]

the information I received is the same as PP. And due to the budget cuts and I think I heard this afternoon that our gov. has to make more cuts, it could be that the aap may be affected.
My cw stated that really the only children that haven't received the aap has been some relinquished babies to the county where there was nothing wrong with them and upon assessment was not a family that would be considered "at risk" had they kept the baby. Since this happens sometimes, something to think about.