Taylor’s and My FIRST conversation!
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Taylor's school allowed her to come home with her assisted technology device, a PRC Springboard. I am so excited over this: She walked in with it, we sat on the couch, and we "talked together" for over an hour...I asked questions, and she answered in FULL sentences by using her device! We talked about school, what time she wanted her shower, what she wanted for dinner, where she was going for respite--this is the first, REAL conversation I have had with my daughter, in 10 whole YEARS! I don't know if all school systems can get these devices in for communication between nonverbal children and others but, I am in tears as I talk about how wonderful it was to sit with my child, and actually talk to her with hearing what was on HER mind, instead of me guessing or wondering if she was hearing everything I said to her...SHE IS! AND, she talks BACK! This is what her device looks like. I am so very happy to finally communicate fully with my daughter for the first time!
Hi kelly Way to go taylor UV Kelly that is amazing!!!! I am so excited for you and for her. She must be so excited to be able to communicate with you. Way to go Taylor!!!That is just wonderful Kelly - and I'm so happy for you both!Oh, Kelly, I'm so excited for you and Taylor. I can understand your tears. What joy it must have been and I bet you didn't want to stop to go to bed either did you? I hope she gets to bring it home again. Is there anyway you can get help to get one of her own? I'd check it out.Kelly that is awesome. I'm so happy for all of you. We haven't had much luck with AT but some insurances will cover assisted tech so You might be able to get one for home too. Congrats and good luck! Kelly - that is so wonderful! Please keep in mind, that the school should ALWAYS allow her to bring that home. That is her VOICE and you cannot take a child's voice away!That is incredible! I'm so happy for you!!! If anyone else needs help getting hold of assistive communication devices, you can find out your state's contact person through this topic on our forum: http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13966&am p;KW=lending+
Thanks for posting that link, NM! I am new to these devices and the only ones I had ever seen are the ones that attach to wheelchairs and have headgear. Medicaid won't pay for one until they are adult age. I would guess, most insurances are the same since, as they grow you have to get more advanced machines (they are programming a more advanced one, now for Taylor which is grammatically correct and uses more words). She will go to school with it every morning and come home with it every night! I don't think she was as thrilled as I was, since she uses it all day at school and kept shutting it off on me..lol..either that or she needed her moment of silence! lol
Hi Kelly, What wonderful news! Im so happy for you! Way to go Taylor!
Sharmyn Oh Kelly, I have tears coming down my face too ... having two almost completely non-verbal boys here, I can so relate to that joy you must have felt at being able FINALLY to know what is in her head ... I am thrilled for both of you. Way to go Taylor ... I bet you can hear our clapping all the way over where you live, sweetie! Thanks for sharing your good news with us, Kelly. Hugs and prayers, Claire in very snowy Canada xx Kelly, that is so phenomenal! I can't begin to tell you how happy I am for the two of you  I love your pics, too.I am so happy for the two of you, Kelly! You made my day!HOW EXCITING! (LOVE the pics too!!!). Jsut wait -- you will get her onto a conventional keyboard and she will NEVER shut up! Wonderful! Congratulations Kelly and Taylor.
What wonderful news! My ds is nonverbal, but learning to use pecs. Your
post gives me hope. Way to go Taylor! HarrietCongrats!!!!!
WOW!!! That is incredible to hear. I'm still smiling that Taylor kept shuting the machine off, as she was done talking. Zach has a very basic assistive technology device, having graduated from PECS 6 months ago. In fact I just asked for an IEP to address communication. They told me he was doing so well that they added goals over the summer. Since then I've heard nothing. Thanks for posting, it really gives hope to those of us that have non-verbal kids. Amazing Kelly!!! I am so unbelievably happy for you!! Hi Kelly !
Just echoing the congrats !! I, too have never had a conversation with my daughter and I quite frankly can't even imagine doing so...... I completely understand your excitement !! Now if I can just get Erin to stop throwing everyhting, maybe we could get her to use one of these, too ! How exciting for both of you! Congrats!Wow, Kelly. That is amazing! I am just SO happy for you and Taylor! I can only imagine how incredible that must feelWhat an amazing feeling that must have been! I can't even imagine how thrilled you must be right now:) And...I LOVE the pics! I have a thing for redheads, so cute! awww Kelly you must be in tears.My son also uses PECS. Could you give us more info about these machines? If I wanted to buy one, where would I look? this is the company that makes them. I would check, first with state and local funding since, this is NOT covered under medicaid until age 18, for some reason. The school is using private funding from assistive technology grant and our big-time tax dollars for privatized schooling, here. These are very pricey--this is the cheapest I have found and, without the added extras and warranty, it runs for over 2500.00. http://store.prentrom.com/cgi-bin/store/SB2-AEN.html I'm so excited for you. That's wonderful!!![QUOTE=NerdyMom]awww Kelly you must be in tears. Before you commit to buying one out of pocket, you might want to contact your state's assistive technology contact person (presuming you're in the US). More info here: http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13966&am p;am p;KW=lending+
WOW Linda Am doing the happy dance!Knowing how much this means to you, I have happy tears flowing right now! ( and am laughing about Taylor turning it off, too cute ) luv n hugs!! I have to wait, now until she regroups after school. I think it is because, she uses it all day and associates it with school right now--yesterday, she kept typing--I have to go now, see ya! and would shut it off..lol Respite is now taking it with her as well so, Taylor is talking to everyone now--like it or not! lol Yeah Kelly, this is great news for both of you. Thanks for sharing. ttfn Her 'saying' have to go now and shutting it off is just too funny! What a character. She reminds me of my girl I am SO happy that you are able to communicate now. And to know that she knows every single thing you say to her. What relief! I LOVE her hair! I have one child wiht that color--my son! Wow Kelly! How wonderful for you both. My eyes are filled with tears just thinking about your conversation. Warmest Congratulations! and best wishes for many, many more conversations. Congratulations!!!! That must feel so amazing. Thanks for sharing this withthe rest of us. I love to hear stories like these!  congrats!!! that is amazing! the age of tecnology is great Wonderful News!
Like I always say to my wife when ever technology or medical advances help somebody. "Thank God for the smart kids who grew up to figure this problem out and help our kid"Kelly, that is so wonderful! I can't imagine how excited Taylor must be too! You can find devices cheeper than $2500.....did some research and bought my son a device through Digital Voice Technologies...I paid $600 and it has all of the features as the more expensive ones, and it's completely portable and you can customize it yourself. a girl i go to camp with has one of these .but she pretty low f so her convertion arent really convetion she ask you the same qustion over an over ,an press her answer before you can respond sometimes .it was funny her conlur put some funny saying in like smell my feet an stuff lolOh, I forgot, for anyone who is interested, the website is www.digitalvoicetech.com. if she is using that device so nicely she would probably do well with a dynovax. I have a child I work with that the school district paid for it and basically they own it but you use it and stuff, where do you live which state?I live in PA and my son has a dynavox. It is big and heavy, so when we go somewhere, it's not so practical to take. That's why we were looking for something compatable, yet portable. The more we use this, the more we love it. We purchased the palm recommended and then purchased the software online. We were using it in about 30 minutes after we customized it with the pictures that he uses. I'm really suprised with the software considering how inexpensive it is.Sorry, I meant comparable, not compatable. Congrats Taylor! Kelly I can only imagine how good you must feel to finally have that conversations! Heres to many many more! |
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