Australian beneficiary with children

[Nixando 15]

Hi there 

 

Have any Australians on K1 visa had a child with special needs (mild to medium  autism, no behavioural issues, and in my daughters case, aged 13) and if so what additional information did you have to provide?  My US fiancé is adequately stable financially and I have my own capability to provide for her also.  Thanks in advance. 

[EmilyW 1,496]

We were Diversity Lottery winners so the visa is different but the requirements are the same.

 

My younger son (11 now, was 8 at the time we moved) has mild autism.  Doesn't need special care in school.  Just awkward socially.

 

It was not an issue from an immigration perspective.  The Panel Doctor noted it in his report (and said a few horrible things like he would have trouble finding work when he got older - which is garbage.  A GP has no capability to diagnose something so specific).  When we got to interview, we had all my son's pediatric reports saying he was cognitively normal, was in mainstream school etc.  The CO didn't ask for those and literally sniffed at the notation on my son's medical and turned the page.

 

TLDR: relax, you're fine.  The Americans are pretty good about these things.  So long as you can pay for your health care, they'll assume you can take care of things.  And, just as an aside, American schools are awesome in supporting kids with autism (at least in my experience).  Now, if you were moving to Canada... the land of the north is not as welcoming of those with special needs unfortunately.

 

Edited July 19, 2018 by EmilyW

[Nixando 15]

7 hours ago, EmilyW said:

We were Diversity Lottery winners so the visa is different but the requirements are the same.

 

My younger son (11 now, was 8 at the time we moved) has mild autism.  Doesn't need special care in school.  Just awkward socially.

 

It was not an issue from an immigration perspective.  The Panel Doctor noted it in his report (and said a few horrible things like he would have trouble finding work when he got older - which is garbage.  A GP has no capability to diagnose something so specific).  When we got to interview, we had all my son's pediatric reports saying he was cognitively normal, was in mainstream school etc.  The CO didn't ask for those and literally sniffed at the notation on my son's medical and turned the page.

 

TLDR: relax, you're fine.  The Americans are pretty good about these things.  So long as you can pay for your health care, they'll assume you can take care of things.  And, just as an aside, American schools are awesome in supporting kids with autism (at least in my experience).  Now, if you were moving to Canada... the land of the north is not as welcoming of those with special needs unfortunately.

 

Emily, thanks so much for the feedback and responding!  Very insightful.  Wishing you and your beautiful boy and your family well.