Down Syndrome Must Prove Mental Retardation

[TLSnell1981]

My mother just called "with good news". My down syndrome brother may not be mentally retarded.

She just received a letter from the state asking for proof my brother is mentally disabled. He's 39 and his disability is well documented. The caseworker said she must send "proof". I mean, he hasn't had a "miraculous recovery".

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

As a special educator, I work with children who have Down Syndrome and average range IQ's and adaptive living skills, and thus are not "mentally retarded".

Children with DS can respond dramatically to intervention. With appropriate education and support they can achieve a wide range of functioning.

So, in my mind asking for proof that someone with DS is disabled enough to qualify for services makes perfect sense.

At the same time I totally understand how frustrating it is to have to document the same things over and over again.

 

[McCall]

As a special educator, I work with children who have Down Syndrome and average range IQ's and adaptive living skills, and thus are not "mentally retarded".

Children with DS can respond dramatically to intervention. With appropriate education and support they can achieve a wide range of functioning.

So, in my mind asking for proof that someone with DS is disabled enough to qualify for services makes perfect sense.

At the same time I totally understand how frustrating it is to have to document the same things over and over again.

What you say may well be so, but it appears from the post that this individual's condition is already well established and it seems they are probably already receiving assistance of some kind, so this sort of ok prove it, sounds like an overzealous, perhaps new case person. I would contact an advocate to deal with them.

 

[mechurchlady]

They sometimes ask for proof as people cheat the system. I have seen enough videos of guys who are disabled but after check comes they are out doing the heavy lifting. It is a standard government thing where they want to make sure that everything is done right.

It is silly that a person with downs syndrome would need such proof but that is the government and you know how silly government can be.