Selling communication device (Springboard)

[Jodi]

My son used Springboard from Prentke Romich up until a couple of years ago. We upgraded to the Vantage device, and loaned out his Springboard to another family that was dealing with an older son that has Ds and autism who had no means of communication. Evenutally their son was officialy screened for a device, and they chose one that is different from the Springboard.

We've decided to go ahead and sell the Springboard. It has some of the add-on software components beyond the standard issue. If you, or if you know someone who might be interested, PM me and we can chat.

Jodi

[CC]

Jodi how very sweet of you to offer.

Just wondering why did you buy your own? Christopher has had 3 different types of communication devices and our school district paid for all of them. It traveled with him from school to home and he had it home all summer also.

If its in your IEP that your child needs this type of device the district needs to provide it.

Just wanted to share

CC ~

[Jodi]

CC - you are absolutely right, if it is in the IEP, then the district will provide a device. However, they are not required to let you take it home. It is to be used on campus only. There are many parents that I know who have purchased a separate device for home because their district will not allow for the school's device to go home with the child. They cite liability over what happens to the device when not on campus being an issue. You are lucky that your district was not so strict with Christopher's devices!! (...I misspoke here and thank you CC for clarifying this below... you CAN take a device home - but you have to have permission, the liability needs to be squared away, and there MAY be limitations on when and for how long it can be home... sorry for overgeneralizing this point!)

I purchased my separate device (twice) because I wanted my son to be able to communicate in all environments, not just school. Wouldn't it be nice if all districts weren't so strict?

Jodi

[CC]

Jodi they really are required to let the child take it home

"Can our child take home equipment that the school district buys?
Yes. If your child needs the equipment at home to benefit from its use, and your child's IEP calls for home use, then he may take it home. 18 IDELR 627, 1992. Hearing officers consistently rule that, while the school district owns the device, it cannot limit its use to school grounds if a student needs the device at home or in a community setting in order to receive a free, appropriate public education (FAPE). That means, if your child needs the device to complete his homework or to practice skills outside of school, he can take it home. The IEP team should discuss how and when your child could take the equipment home."

They can tell you they don't have to but its BS on their part.

Been there done that and honestly my district tried all the nonsense but I knew better with help from my advocate

Just sharing.

Oh and the district since they own it should take out insurance on it. Christopher's broke a couple of times and the district just sent it back for repair. And the coverage is not just for school use, so don't let them tell you that

CC ~

[Jodi]

My problem was with the "how and when you child could take the equipment home" part - I want it 24/7! I really work with a wonderful team, but I chose to not hassle this specific issue - again it was MY choice to not fight every aspect of the device... was just easier for me to buy my own. Please know that the district has a device too! It is redundant, I know, but what is really cool is that the modeling works fantastic in this situation. Ryan uses his device, and his aide models on the district's device how to access certain areas or perform certain tasks. And Ryan is extremely possessive with his device too, so trying to show him something on it is a problem because he things you are taking his "voice" away - doesn't like that at all!

The district is not obligated to let the child have the device 24/7, and since they could argue that he didn't need it ALL the time, that was just not acceptable to me when he is not understood by most people. You are right, others can and have gone the battle route - and sadly they should not have to. My route was more expensive in the end, but I am thrilled at the results and the fact that it is always with us. I just wanted my guy to have his own device, and did not want the district having his means of communication hanging over my head. Hope that makes sense. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[momofrussell]

"The district is not obligated to let the child have the device 24/7"

Not to argue on your selling of device thread LOL...but this really isn't correct. I just think your district is savvy enough to get away with it

[momofrussell]

Oh...and Jodi I do agree with you that it may not be something I'd argue about either....

A.

[Emilysmom]

I've been out of town since last Wednesday, but wanted to bump this up. I hope there is someone who can benefit from this device. I'm so glad Jodi offered it here first!!

[momofrussell]

Good idea!! And Jodi....do you have a picture to what it looks like or a link?? I don't know if I even know what it looks like, I'd love to see it! Maybe someone else might too!

Thanks!!!

A.

[Kaylis]

My son has a Vantage Lite from the same company and we LOVE it. Our only issue is getting him to use it rather than the mix of sign, sounds and gestures he uses all the time. When he has it near by and can't communicate what he wants then he will use it.

The web site is prenrom.com. They've been a very supportive company too and are employee owned besides so I'm extra happy supporting them.

Karen

[momofrussell]

bumping this up in case anyone is still interested

[Jodi]

Thanks A!

I've had no takers. I let Susan know we were going to loan it out locally to some parents here so they can it out and see if they think it is something their kids might benefit from it. It is now the "old" model, but man it is just so powerful. Once Ryan went to beverages and selected "water" and then went to seasons and picked "fall" because he wanted to say "waterfall" - how cool, huh?

Thanks for trying.

Jodi

[CC]

Just a thought, but any chance your district may purchase it at a good price so that they could lend it out to a child that may need it

Or maybe the company will buy it back, like I said just thoughts

CC~