If my child was diagnosed with Autism and Global Developmental Delays in 2016, does that count as disabled or no? little confused..

[SeanE1 · Accepted solution]

Thank you for your question and the answer is yes.  If your daughter was diagnosed by a licensed physician as being disabled, then you may claim your daughter for as long as you support her and meet the other criteria that I have included below for a Qualifying Child.  Please remember, for disabled children, there is no age limitation, so your daughter can be any age and still be your dependent just as long as the other criteria below are met.

A parent may claim their child if they meet either the qualifying child test as outlined below:

Qualifying Child

These 5 tests (all of them), will qualify a child as a dependent:

• Relationship: They must be your child, adopted child, foster-child, brother or sister, or a descendant of one of these (grand or nephew).
• Residence: They had to live with you in the same residence for more than half the year.
• Age: Must be under age 19 or under 24 and a full-time student for at least 5 months of the year. They can be any age if they are totally and permanently disabled.
• Support: child did not provide more than half of their own support during the year.
• Joint Support: The child cannot file a joint return for the year.