Emigrating with autism

[Guest sweety]

Hi all

Just an update to our adopted daughters visa. We applied a while back for a visa for our daughter and was told she had failed her medical on the grounds that she was autistic.We got in touch with an migration agent in Sydney Australia to see if he could help with getting our daughters visa.I am Australian we have 5 children who have Australian passports and a husband with PR so we thought we wouldnt have any problem we were wrong.Our migratin agent put us in touch with a speech therapist that he deals with also in Australia she asked us to send all of our daughters documents from the last 2 years since she was diognosed with having autism so we did she got back to us and said she felt that Alisha our daughter was not autistic and that she needed another assesment to see if they still thought she was. Alisha had that assesment doneon the 21st december we had a phone call today to say our daughter Alisha is not autistic we are all over the moon with the out came now we have to wait to see were we go from here fingers crossed we hope her visa is grant

 

 

 

That is fantastic news!!!! wishing you all the best and got my fingers crossed for you :smile:

[RonnieRocket0]

Dear Fellow Visa seekers,

 

I am also in the process of applying for PR to Australia and am going through the mill at the moment. We're pretty much there, but as expected my eldest son's meds were referred for further assessment. We were given 28 days to provide HOC a current report from a clinical pyschologist on my sons condition.

He is 8 years old with mild autism and receives 18 hours per week 1to1 support in main stream schooling. We are amazed with the progress he has made since he was originally diagnosed (3.5 years) and on a recent visit to schools in Perth the teaching staff suggest that he would not get additional support as he 'seems' to be able to cope and the emphasis in the schools was to ensure that the kids developed their social skills and then worry about being brain surgeons later in their education.

We had a great deal of trouble seeking an appointment with a Clinical Pyschologist for the additional assessment. His NHS doctor did not do private consultations, and it was nigh on impossible to get a private appointment within the 28 days HOC indicated. The various clinics we contacted also informed us that their fees for the assessment would be on average £350 per hour with a visit for a minimum of 2 hours. There would also be time for the reports to be written etc.. So you could be looking at roughly £1500 with the possibility of rejection.

I then had a thought to contact the local university and made contact with a research tutor within their Pyschology Dept. He was a Chartered Clinical Psychologist and for a total of 4.5 hours work he has charged £315. He was very thorough in his assessment. there were two hours of tests, split into two 1 hour sessions. 1 hour at the university and 1 hour at my son's school. My wife and I are due to visit him this Tuesday to discuss the outcome of his assessment before he forwards the details to the panel doctor.

I will keep you posted as to how we get on, and hopefully the HOC will approve his meds. From this thread I see that there maybe others who have to complete the additional actions we have had to take on board and felt duty bound to share my experiences with you. Our panel doctor had had no previous experience of dealing with an application such as ours and he was happy for me to seek our own Psychologist. If you find yourself in a similar circumstance to mine, then please do look into seeking help from your local university.

Good luck and kind regards

 

Ronnie Rocket

 

Just a further update to this post, which I should have done pre-christmas. The doctors report indicates that my son does have some learning difficulties albeit mildly. Now the crunch of the matter is how will the MOC interpret this report?? And then it is down to the decision maker at DIAC. I am wondering if there has ever been an instance where MOC has passed an applicant only for the CO to reject the applicant?

Anyway, fingers crossed that we hear some news in the next few weeks:jiggy:

Kind regards

 

Ron Rocket

[Guest Gollywobbler]

Just a further update to this post, which I should have done pre-christmas. The doctors report indicates that my son does have some learning difficulties albeit mildly. Now the crunch of the matter is how will the MOC interpret this report?? And then it is down to the decision maker at DIAC. I am wondering if there has ever been an instance where MOC has passed an applicant only for the CO to reject the applicant?

Anyway, fingers crossed that we hear some news in the next few weeks:jiggy:

Kind regards

 

Ron Rocket

 

Hi Ronnie and all the others on here

 

I am really sorry that I do not have time to keep up with everything that is happening about visas all the time. However I don't get paid for my time on piO either so there is no way round this one.

 

Ronnie, as I told you on the "medical thread", the CO has no discretion with PIC 4005 when a skilled visa is involved. The Minister (and therefore the CO) are obliged to accept whatever the doctor at the HOC in Sydney has said.

 

This meds for migration area is one where DIAC operate with the utmost secrecy. DIAC claim otherwise but their claim is rubbish. Nowhere on their website do they admit to the $21,000 and 60 pages of self-serving rubbish in DIAC's submission to the current Senate Inquiry does not admit to it either:

 

http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/migration-issues/67292-have-your-say-health-requirement.html

 

http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/mig/disability/subs.htm

 

I didn't believe how "hard & fast" this $21,000 is - because it is not supposed to ne hard & fast - until I saw the Minister and his senior DIAC acoloytes describing it, as discussed in my own submission to the Inquiry:

 

http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/mig/disability/subs/sub019.pdf

 

I got the information from Hansard, which anyone can read and I explained how to read it to the Committee.

 

Personally I think that the the strongest submission is from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians because they are the people who know the most about what doctors have to do in order to get the best outccomes for people with disabilities. They say that leaving the whole thing to a solo GP who does not necessarily have any relevant training is not on, either. I completely agree with the RACP.

 

I believe that DIAC will have to alter the law but that this might not happen quickly, unfortunately. I agree with the various people who say that the whole Meds thing is a throwback to the White Australia policy more than to anything else.

 

However I do not know when the Inquiry will report to the Minister or what the Minister will then do.

 

Cheers

 

Gill

[carlos66]

Dear Fellow Visa seekers,

 

I am also in the process of applying for PR to Australia and am going through the mill at the moment. We're pretty much there, but as expected my eldest son's meds were referred for further assessment. We were given 28 days to provide HOC a current report from a clinical pyschologist on my sons condition.

He is 8 years old with mild autism and receives 18 hours per week 1to1 support in main stream schooling. We are amazed with the progress he has made since he was originally diagnosed (3.5 years) and on a recent visit to schools in Perth the teaching staff suggest that he would not get additional support as he 'seems' to be able to cope and the emphasis in the schools was to ensure that the kids developed their social skills and then worry about being brain surgeons later in their education.

We had a great deal of trouble seeking an appointment with a Clinical Pyschologist for the additional assessment. His NHS doctor did not do private consultations, and it was nigh on impossible to get a private appointment within the 28 days HOC indicated. The various clinics we contacted also informed us that their fees for the assessment would be on average £350 per hour with a visit for a minimum of 2 hours. There would also be time for the reports to be written etc.. So you could be looking at roughly £1500 with the possibility of rejection.

I then had a thought to contact the local university and made contact with a research tutor within their Pyschology Dept. He was a Chartered Clinical Psychologist and for a total of 4.5 hours work he has charged £315. He was very thorough in his assessment. there were two hours of tests, split into two 1 hour sessions. 1 hour at the university and 1 hour at my son's school. My wife and I are due to visit him this Tuesday to discuss the outcome of his assessment before he forwards the details to the panel doctor.

I will keep you posted as to how we get on, and hopefully the HOC will approve his meds. From this thread I see that there maybe others who have to complete the additional actions we have had to take on board and felt duty bound to share my experiences with you. Our panel doctor had had no previous experience of dealing with an application such as ours and he was happy for me to seek our own Psychologist. If you find yourself in a similar circumstance to mine, then please do look into seeking help from your local university.

Good luck and kind regards

 

Ronnie Rocket

Hey found this, this answers my previous post about what to do when asked for extra meds for autistic son. What a brill post has saved me lots of weeping and wailing and knashing of teeth!

 

Carl

[gareth and lisa]

Well we got our visa after been told we would probally never get one (by whome will remain name less!!) Ethans Autism didnt turn out to be a probem, we didnt get a specialist report done, did get referred as we knew he would but only for a week. So all that worrying we had was for nothing.

Good luck if anybody is still waiting.

Lisa

[jsnowling]

We also got our visa 175 - our son has mild autism - got referred for 3 weeks - but not a problem - I worried for months and months - but obviously this all gives loads of hope for people still waiting - good luck to anyone else, Julie

[Hallfamily]

Hi chrisbj

 

I have a son with autism and have sought advice and assessment from George Lombard as mentioned earlier. My son is 13 and has moderate learning difficulties as well. I am also a nurse looking to move to Queensland but have not looked into jobs yet until I have some idea as to whether he may be refused a visa.

 

Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

Chrissie

:confused:Hi Chrissie, my son who is 8yrs has High Functional Autism and is in mainstream school full time. Can I ask what advice George Lombard gave you so we know what we are up against.

[Guest javid]

Hi I have been asked to get 2 specialists Report

which I already have done.

 

 

I emailed case officer last week and that's what I've got:

 

The medical report has been received by the Health Operations Centre in NSW.

 

You will be contacted when the report has been assessed by a Medical Officer and an assessment provided to this office.

 

 

Now It's been 9 days since Further medical results received, still have NOT heard anything yet. I'm kind of worried

 

how long do you think I should wait?

[mumoffour]

My son has Asperger syndrome but is very capable and appears totally 'normal' when watched for short periods of time. I was hoping to not admit to anything out of the ordinary range of 6 yr old behaviour during the medical. He does not has a statement of special educational needs, has a photographic memory and is very advanced in maths. He doesn't receive any extra help in school. His gestures can appear odd and he has trouble making eye contact - could be explained away as nervous in strange Doctors surgery? In a family of 6 - any concerns about his slight oddness will be swamped by his sisters non-stop talking and winding each other up. He won't be a drain on the tax payer - just a bit more work for us at home. He will be perfectly able to live alone, get a job, get married etc etc when grown up.

Could his condition scupper all our plans?

[Quoll]

My son has Asperger syndrome but is very capable and appears totally 'normal' when watched for short periods of time. I was hoping to not admit to anything out of the ordinary range of 6 yr old behaviour during the medical. He does not has a statement of special educational needs, has a photographic memory and is very advanced in maths. He doesn't receive any extra help in school. His gestures can appear odd and he has trouble making eye contact - could be explained away as nervous in strange Doctors surgery? In a family of 6 - any concerns about his slight oddness will be swamped by his sisters non-stop talking and winding each other up. He won't be a drain on the tax payer - just a bit more work for us at home. He will be perfectly able to live alone, get a job, get married etc etc when grown up.

Could his condition scupper all our plans?

 

Possibly, but not likely . However you should not hide a diagnosis if he formally has one and you are asked to disclose - his medical record will state it anyway and you do not want to be caught lying to any official during the immigration process. The fact that he is not in receipt of any special ed support and isnt eligible for a statement indicates that he wouldnt be eligible for any in school support in Australia (eligibility is tougher) and thus hopefully wouldnt cost the tax payer much by way of education support. Do you have an agent who specializes in medical issues - there are a couple who do specialize and give good advice (Peter Bollard and George Lombard are the two usually mentioned)

[mumoffour]

We're doing it all ourselves and it truelly never occured to me that his condition would cause a problem until I read this thread! He has a formal diagnosis which will, as you say, be on his medical records but hopefully his specialist report saying he has no problems in school will persuade Oz officials to let us in - OMG I hope so!!!

[Vinnie Ang]

Hi,

 

It seems that the latest post was two years ago on migration with autism child's issue. I have a son who was diagnosed with mild to moderate autism. My family got our temporary resident 3 years back. End of last year, we submitted our application for conversion to permanent resident. Our medical officer asked to get detail report from psychologists on my son. We submitted the report beginning of Jan 2013. My son's psychologists' report was assessed for about 2 month with the first case officer and lately our new case officer which was assigned last month said they need to reassess the report again. I have no idea how long they will take and if my family can get the PR visa approved pertaining to my son's issue? Please advise if have any idea.

 

Vinnie

[foy465]

Hi,

 

It seems that the latest post was two years ago on migration with autism child's issue. I have a son who was diagnosed with mild to moderate autism. My family got our temporary resident 3 years back. End of last year, we submitted our application for conversion to permanent resident. Our medical officer asked to get detail report from psychologists on my son. We submitted the report beginning of Jan 2013. My son's psychologists' report was assessed for about 2 month with the first case officer and lately our new case officer which was assigned last month said they need to reassess the report again. I have no idea how long they will take and if my family can get the PR visa approved pertaining to my son's issue? Please advise if have any idea.

 

Vinnie

 

I have messaged you Vinnie Ang :wink:

[Ind9081]

Hi

 

i am in the same situation like Vinnie Ang. We are on e457 since 2 years and now we got the eligibility for Employer sponsored stream 186. But, after coming here, our son is suspected to have autism and his assessments are ongoing now.

 

We are in a dilemma of whether to proceed with PR ! Our son is 5 now and will be going to kinder this year. Moreover , we are thinking how would be the support for our kid even if we get pr further.

 

i couldn't get any link what foy465 has replied to Vinnie.

 

kindly help us on this.

[Guest The Pom Queen]

Hi

 

i am in the same situation like Vinnie Ang. We are on e457 since 2 years and now we got the eligibility for Employer sponsored stream 186. But, after coming here, our son is suspected to have autism and his assessments are ongoing now.

 

We are in a dilemma of whether to proceed with PR ! Our son is 5 now and will be going to kinder this year. Moreover , we are thinking how would be the support for our kid even if we get pr further.

 

i couldn't get any link what foy465 has replied to Vinnie.

 

kindly help us on this.

The thread is an old one Hun and sometimes we find members move on. I hope they pop back to help but if not it may be worth starting your own. If you want to know what life is like here for a child with autism look for a member on here called Johndoe, his son has autism and wow he has grown in to such a wonderful young man any mum and dad would be proud of.

[Quoll]

Hi

 

i am in the same situation like Vinnie Ang. We are on e457 since 2 years and now we got the eligibility for Employer sponsored stream 186. But, after coming here, our son is suspected to have autism and his assessments are ongoing now.

 

We are in a dilemma of whether to proceed with PR ! Our son is 5 now and will be going to kinder this year. Moreover , we are thinking how would be the support for our kid even if we get pr further.

 

i couldn't get any link what foy465 has replied to Vinnie.

 

kindly help us on this.

It differs from state to state and the best advice you are going to get will be from the professionals who are doing the assessments - they will be able yo tell you exactly what might be on offer. Bear in mind, too, that in some states if you are on a temporary visa you could be up for thousands of dollars if the assessments indicate that he needs high levels of support. Same goes for the bridging visa until a decision is made about PR.