Leaderboard

Louisa Moats is a world-renown dyslexia expert. Oddly, I found this on a Pennsylvania-specific Facebook group. https://www.sde.idaho.gov/academic/ela-literacy/files/lrc/dyslexia/general/Idaho-Dyslexia-Handbook.pdf

Let me address your medical healthcare question. 1st, welcome to Pennsylvania. In PA, every child with a medical diagnosis is entitled to have Medicaid insurance - sometimes called MA or Medical Assistance. This would be secondary to your employer insurance. I've assisted other families who are new to the US & PA with getting this. Your child will need a social security number to apply as well as a written diagnosis that's less than a year old and a PA address. 3 things (and I think you said you have 2 of these), that's it. You can get to the application here: https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Assistance/Pages/Apply-for-Benefits.aspx Be sure to check the YES box for the question 'do you have a household member with a disability?' You will need to provide them with proof of income but qualifying is based on disability under PH-95 (most others qualifying for MA have low income). Depending on where you live, you might be told you need to apply for SSI - social security income. As part of PH-95, it is supposed to be done for everyone but a lot of counties aren't asking parents to go though this extra step. If they do ask you to apply, apply for SSI & wait to be turned down and then contact the County Assistance Office & let them know you applied. Feel free to post back with questions but I will anticipate a few questions: With Medicaid, there is no limit to the number of therapies a person can have. Employer insurance will often have a cap of 26/year. Also, there is no copay to go to a doctor/therapy. The plans are HMOs so you do need to stay in network to have coverage. Also, some insurances will not cover therapy where it is due to a developmental delay. I ran into that when my son needed speech therapy but MA covered it. A psychologist can diagnose ADHD as well as a dev ped, neurologist, pediatrician, psychiatrist... Psychologist would be the easiest way to get the diagnosis on paper (you need a report & the IEP might provide the documentation you need - a letter w/ a diagnosis is not enough) because they tend to have the shortest wait list.