ADHD’s symptoms can make it incredibly difficult for people to function well at school, work, or home. The deficits in attention and focus, combined with the constant yearning for dopamine, may be so severe that someone diagnosed with ADHD is considered to have a disability, depending on the context.
A common question NeuroNav receives is, “Can my child with ADHD qualify for regional center services or the Self-Determination Program?”
Unfortunately, there’s not a straightforward answer. We’ll explain why that is, what makes someone eligible for the SDP, and how to support someone with ADHD if they find it challenging to function in their daily life.
In most cases, an ADHD diagnosis alone is not enough to qualify a California resident for regional center services. No matter what condition your child has, though, a regional center will not approve them for services simply because they have a diagnosis.
The Lanterman Act lays out the requirements individuals must meet to qualify for regional center services.
Eligible individuals must have:
You’ll notice that ADHD is not one of the developmental disabilities listed in the first bullet directly above. In fact, ADHD is not considered an intellectual disability. Therefore, to qualify for regional center services, someone with ADHD must show that the condition “closely resembles” an intellectual disability.
Unfortunately, the California Self-Determination Program does not serve individuals who do not qualify for regional center services. In other words, the SDP won’t work as a backup or fallback option if your local regional center has denied your loved one.
Consult one of our earlier blogs to learn how the SDP DOES differ from the traditional regional center model.
Just because ADHD alone does not typically qualify individuals for the SDP does not mean someone with ADHD is ineligible. Children with autism are far more likely to have ADHD (43.8% do) than the general population (11.4% of children).
Furthermore, it’s estimated that 14.4% of children with ADHD have autism, compared to 3.2% of all U.S. children.
If the SDP is not an option for your loved one, they do have a number of resources they can turn to for help with their ADHD.
The best resource for your child is a good pediatrician with specialized knowledge in treating ADHD. They can make an initial assessment, order screenings, and refer your child to specialists, such as a neurodevelopmental psychologist.
Other ways to help kids with ADHD include:
We also recommend checking out NeuroNav’s Life With AuDHD blog for ways to manage co-occurring ADHD and autism if your child has both conditions.
The SDP, as helpful as it is for participants, is not the simplest program out there for Californians with ADHD. Determining your child’s eligibility is just one of a few hurdles you must cross before they can start receiving services.
If you’re not sure whether your child qualifies for the SDP, or if you have questions about our independent facilitation services and how they could help, feel free to contact the NeuroNav team for a consultation. We’d be happy to guide you through the SDP process or point you to the right resources.