Government Grants for People With Klinefelter's

Klinefelter syndrome is a genetic disorder of the chromosomes affecting males. There is no cure for this condition and it requires lifelong management. At publication, there are no government grants available specifically to pay for the cost of managing the symptoms and effects of Klinefelter syndrome. However, parents of children with this condition and adult sufferers can find grants geared to manage the symptoms, including learning disabilities, in a general sense.

The effects of Klinefelter syndrome vary by age, testosterone levels and how many XXY chromosomes males suffering with the disease have. According to MedicineNet.com, males with Klinefelter syndrome display weaker bone structures, bodies with less muscle tissue and lower energy levels than healthy males. At publication, 25 percent to 85 percent of sufferers also show some cognitive impairment, including language acquisition problems, difficulty speaking, inability to process linear thoughts and slow development of reading skills. Klinefelter also carries social implications for developing males as these children are quieter and more reserved than others, which may present hurdles to building friendships.

As children with Klinefelter syndrome grow, learning disabilities and cognitive impairments may stifle intellectual development and increase the social burdens of sufferers. Grants to pay for treatment of learning disabilities are available through a wide variety of organizations across the country, including the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation. This nonprofit organization creates grants to help children and families manage the effects of learning disabilities so children as young as 4 years old can begin the learning process and head off to school.

Medical bills for men suffering with Klinefelter syndrome can pile up quickly as many require testosterone replacement therapy to fight the progressive effects of the condition. Sufferers are also at an increased risk to break bones and develop osteoporosis. States across the country, including Maryland, have assistance programs to help low income residents pay for medical debts. For example, the Maryland Medical Assistance Program can provide temporary financial aid to the low-income parents of children with Klinefelter syndrome until the children reach age 21.

Mental health treatment and physical therapy are important components in the management of Klinefelter syndrome symptoms. The cost of having these treatment outlets can quickly outpace family incomes and force parents to pick and choose the best course of action. According to New Jersey online magazine The Trentonian, the UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation has provided more than 2,200 families across the country with grants to pay for medical bills tied to physical therapy, counseling services, surgeries and prescription drugs since 2007. The foundation has also provided 800 grants to families with children suffering from learning disabilities since that time.