My son is being evaluated to see which assistive communication device is right for him. They let me know it was for at school only since they are paying for it and apperantly it is expensive. Shouldn't he have access to it at home also. Why would they not let him carry it home? They insist he carry over other things he does at school to home why not this? What would you do?I would force them to allow it since he does homework right? I haven't had personal experince with this, but I know people who have gotten commucniaction devices and are used at BOTH home and school !
As usual when we make a big deal about one thing they make everything hard. We have yet to get a progress report in writing. We have it in his IEP for evey 6 weeks but they said they gave his progress report verbally at the meeting. I heard nothing about how he is comming along with his goals.
Aren't they supposed to give us written progress reports? How are we to know if he is making progress if we have nothing to compare every 6 weeks? My NT daughters have already gotten their report cards.
[QUOTE=zayzer][QUOTE=mamasquash]The funding source is the issue. If the school funds it and the devices can cost between ,000-10,000 so having to replace it would be a significant cost. The devices are not that durable (typically) they are in for service every few months as it is. In our area we don't go through the school district we go through medicaid because then it is considered a medical need and can go into both settings. I am certainly not agreeing with the school saying it can't come home....but what they are saying is quite common. Especially if they are saying in their opinion "he isn't ready". [/QUOTE]
They are not using that excuse anymore because he has shown them he is more than ready. They underestimate him. The school is being really strange about the funding. One time they say they buy them another they say they borrow them from some place. You don't understand my son. If he communicates with a method at school he will expect to do the same at home. They insisted that we be consistant between home and school and we complied and he expects that consistancy. Now what? It's time for his 3 year review and they are being really strange about alot of things lately.
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zayzer....I am not disagreeing about your son....actually I am saying the opposite. I think it is ridiculous when schools pull this kind of nonsense. I was just telling you what my experience has been in my area regarding the STUPID line of excuses programs in my area have used. And saying they can "borrow" one....what a load of you know what!!! It is a personal communication device. It sounds like you need an advocate because they are not being upfront about a few things. Good luck! I would fight them on it!
That is just like saying that he is only autistic at school. You may want toHe does homework but since he is only in Kindergarten it is mostly coloring and stuff like that. They have been trying out different devices on him to see which one works out best. What got me was this weekend he tried to communicate with one of his toys like he was using a communication device. He said mother with it and pointed at my face and he pressed the school button and got his backpack and went the door. I so hate it when he does that on the weekend. Anyway he clearly wants so much to communicate and will be so upset at home if he can't communicate like he can at school. Since they started testing him he has been a little upset with his pecs book. He loves electronic devices.
These are the same people when asked to have him evaluated for this said he is not ready. I don't know what to do. I guess I will start with a written request after he is trained up with whatever device they choose. I swear I have to fight for everything! Can't they just say YES for a change. This is taking a toll on my health.
Maybe I am asking too much? Those things are expensive!
I agree - if this what he needs for functional communication, then he needs it EVERYWHERE! You can't take away a child's voice.It makes sense for him to use it both places...I wishI had some good advice on what to say yo the school to convince them. I hope he likes the device and that it works out. please let me know how it goes! We have thought about these too. Good luck Zayzer!i would push for them to send it home. my son uses communication devices. never was i refused it at home. if you are teaching a child to communicate he needs to communicate everywhere not just at school. don't knwo how they can not send it home. get an advocate on your side. You got it when it comes to money. I think schools need to learn sports should be second to academics. I would like to see a big return to multi sensory class rooms for all ages. I think ins. should cover all health dx that's their job for policy's to be used. We pay for it and there for we should get what we need. Insurance in our case considers this educational but if he had speech and lost it after an accident then they would consider it medical and pay. They don't cover treatment for autism but they will pay for a developmental pediatrician. He only see one because of his autism. They will also pay for medication bucause of his autism. They will pay for 99 hours a year of OT( copay each visit) but not PT. It makes no sense. They claim to have never heard of ABA.i have a question. Will insurance cover it? I know at my high school(worked in the special ed department), the OT, PT,and any other therapies would work to get insurance to pay for the stuff they needed. They would even get them to pay for the small stuff(can crushers..etc..) and big stuff(new wheelchairs,etc..). I know it is different in different states and county, but that is just something to ponder. I speciffically have never had to deal with that kind of stuff yet.[QUOTE=mamasquash]The funding source is the issue. If the school funds it and the devices can cost between ,000-10,000 so having to replace it would be a significant cost. The devices are not that durable (typically) they are in for service every few months as it is. In our area we don't go through the school district we go through medicaid because then it is considered a medical need and can go into both settings. I am certainly not agreeing with the school saying it can't come home....but what they are saying is quite common. Especially if they are saying in their opinion "he isn't ready". [/QUOTE]
They are not using that excuse anymore because he has shown them he is more than ready. They underestimate him. The school is being really strange about the funding. One time they say they buy them another they say they borrow them from some place. You don't understand my son. If he communicates with a method at school he will expect to do the same at home. They insisted that we be consistant between home and school and we complied and he expects that consistancy. Now what? It's time for his 3 year review and they are being really strange about alot of things lately.
Thanks Luke and Alan's dad. They way I read he should have use at home but we could be charged for wear and tare. It least it think that's what it says.Calculator girl insurance won't pay for it. They won't even pay any for speech thearpy and my child is nonverbal. Seem like everyone likes passing the buck when it come to helping kids with autism.
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