Anyone in Iowa? | Autism PDD
[QUOTE=SarahC]
Hope to hear from you all soon
SARAH,
I AM FROM KEWANEE, IL, SO I AM NEAR YA, COOL... HOPE WE CAN CHAT SOMETIME ON THE BOARDS!!!
There are income guildlines for both programs, we did not qualify for Christopher until he was about ten, I has to quit my job to stay home because we just did not have anyone who could provide services for him. I really did not know what was out there until our income dropped. All of sudden I learned about SCL and respite hours we use all we can now.
As far as the picture schedule it is really helpfu at home so that he know what is coming up and what is expected of him. We also found a timer really helpful so that he knows how long he has to do something or how long until a perferred activity.
Christopher just celebrated his thirteen birthday today it was the first time he has ever really cared, he wanted a cake and to blow out candles. A big step for us. He has already chosen his Halloween costume and is wearing it counting the days until trick or treating.
let me know what other questions you may have
Kathy
Hi Sarah! Hi Kathy! We live in Iowa also, though not close to your areas. We live in ----. It's about 50 miles southeast of -------. My son Brock will be 2 in a few weeks. We started questioning autism when he was 15 mos. old. Since then we have had him at the Child Health Specialty Clinic for an innitial evaluation. I understand it is affilliated with the ---- Hosp. At that time the evaluator did not think autism was an issue-he was far too sociable-and to come back at his 2nd bday. That appt is expected to happen very soon.I expect a different outcome this time as he has not made much progress in his lang. delays and he has been exhibiting many autistic characteristics. Kathy, was your son seen at the Center for Disabilites and Development at the ----? I've been told we may be sent there for the official diagnosis. What happens there? How long does the evaluation process take? If the diagnosis is autism where do they send you from there? I have so many questions and I'm not satisfied with the vague answers I have received so far from our ped and our AEA team. Thanks so much!
Sarah,
sorry it has taken me so long to reply. When we were first starting out we took our son to University of Iowa for complete testing. We also applied for SSI and got a county case manager because his IQ was low enough to qualify for the Mental Retardation Waivier, it has to be below 75 which is easy because most of our children can not communicate for the test. once we got the waiver then things got into place with title 19 insurance and a case manage which has been a life savier for us. We do you live in Iowa we are in Mason City
Kathy
Kathy- Thanks for the info! (Sometimes I think I am putting myself at risk of "information overload". I probably need to slow down with the "what happens when?" questions.)
How exciting you are being able to celebrate these fun milestones with your son!
I think most parents of NT kids take for granted that those celebrations are just "a given" and all kids are excited for the holidays and their birthdays and the traditions that come along with them. Makes them much more special and appreciated for those of us who don't usually get to see that anticipation in the eyes of our children. 
Stacy, we have taken Chris to the Center for Disabliites and Development many times, he has even stayed in thier unit for behavior therapy. When we first got chris a diagnosis it was at Child Psychology, I find the Center to be a better friendlier enivorment. The testing will take most of the day, they will get together with you and go over what the find briefly but you have to wail a couple of weeks for the full report. but they will give you any ideas that they have at the moment. Chris was two and half when he got his and the aea would come a few days a week until he was old enough to attend school at 3. Between the school and aea they help set my house up with pictures and everthing to make chris's like simple. Do you use any type of picture scheduling. I also applied for the mental retardation waiver which gave a case manager she is wonderful. the waiver also gave him title 19 which covers all his medical care. I had to quit work when he was about 9 because we could not find someone good enough to take care of him that is when we appied for SSI and family suport subdidy. we just finally get the family support subdidy in november so ask about that with you case manager and get on the waiting list. I really think you will like the Center for Disabilites I think they are great people.
Sorry this rambles abit.
Kathy
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Hope to hear from you all soon.,
Sarah,
I live is north east iowa, we have a twelve year old son with mild to moderate autism. I have found a great many services here let me know if you need help getting started.
Kathy
I would love the help. Any is greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Sarah
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