Well poop...

[momofrussell]

I called that Speech and hearing place and they don't offer Augmentative Device services anymore I told the gal that it still was on their web site and she appologized because they haven't had that service for a year...

BUT.. I was searching online again and found the following service available at the hospital that is the main part of where the STL Children's Hospital is too, where Russell's eye doc is.. So I think I will look into this too! Seems like Russell could definately benefit from it... I will have to see if your ins pays for it or not or what all it intales... I copy and posted what they offer below

A.
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Augmentative Communication is an area of rehabilitation that focuses on the use of alternative forms of communication. Systems are designed to compensate and facilitate communication in those individuals with impairments in gestures, speaking, and/or writing. The program utilizes strategies that range from simple picture boards of gestures to computer software or dedicated speech-generating devices.
The Augmentative Communication Program established by the Rehabilitation Department at Barnes-Jewish Hospital is unique to the St. Louis area due to its focus on the adult population. The team consists of a speech pathologist and occupational and physical therapists who specialize in the area of augmentative communication. The team uses state-of-the-art technology to meet individual communication needs.

Any individual who has significant limitations in their ability to communicate is an appropriate candidate for Augmentative Communication Evaluation. Diagnoses include: Traumatic Brain Injury, Cerebral Vascular Accident, Progressive or Congenital Neurological Disorders, and Head & Neck Cancer to name a few. Once referred, the individual will be evaluated to determine the most appropriate method of augmentative communication based on cognitive, linguistic and motor function.

For an individual to be evaluated, simply fax a physician's order requesting an Augmentative Communication Evaluation to 314-362-9125. A staff member will then call and schedule an evaluation time most convenient for the individual.

Recent changes in Medicare now provide reimbursement for 80 percent of the cost of the speech-generating device. Missouri Medicaid covers 90 percent of the cost of the device; however, the evaluation must be performed at an approved evaluation site.

[donnac]

My son has borrowed several augcom devises for about two weeks each, and now has a DynaMo that our state's telecommunication division has lent him. They also gave him a speakerphone to use with it. However, they no longer lend out the DynaMo devises, and he was the last one to receive one. You may want to check with your state to see if they have a similar program. When we had him tested, they suggested that we purchase a better devise than the DynaMo, but still request one to keep on hand as a backup if the better one broke. In the process of looking into devises we were lent several for him to try. This was about two years ago. Our state has an AT center, and they lent several to us. Tyler's school SLP also borrowed a Chat PC from a distributor to try out. The distributor will not loan their equipment directly to parents, but will loan it out to therapists. We probably tried about four different devises, and eventually decided not to go with any of them on a permanent basis(the SLP still wants him to use one).

I do know that our school district will provide a devise if our insurance would not cover one. But, they do not have to allow your child to take it home to use.

To make this long story shorter, you may be able to contact a few companies to see if they could lend you a devise to use on a trial basis. And, I don't see why your son's SLP would not be willing to request a distributor or two to borrow a devise. Again, maybe there is a program in your state that loans devises to make it easier for your child to use the telephone.

Hope this helps.

Donna

[momofrussell]

Thanks Donna. While I posted and found that stuff out, I also did some more St Louis MO searching from the web. I did find some communication programs that might be able to help us. I really don't know what is best for Russell. I am willing to TRY the PECS a bit more with some different pictures but I really think we need something else. I am going to ask the Ped Neuro when we go too.

I also found that at STL's Children Hosp they offer Communication Therapy. I know Russell get's ST at school but I am thinking I need him to get looked at by someone other than one who is paid for by the school district.

And another piece of info I found QUITE interesting. I was reading on NIDCD's website about communication disorders and children w/Autism tend to NOT do well with signing and anything with pointing to things for communication (possible PECS prob). They did say other forms of communication could be more beneficial but they weren't that specific. They did say picture boards which are PECS type stuff, but if an Autistic child can't point like Russell can't, I can only see it not working ... if that makes sense. You still have to HAND the picture to someone.. or acknowledge the pics on the board. I don't know, I need to look more into it. I DID find it facinating because of my other post on the school and Russell with his Autism. They are treating him like he JUST has DS and Vision probs... and will stop the self stimming, but it seems they are missing the boat with communication if they won't treat him more like someone that is Autistic... who knows.

Also, on the NIDCD web site there were lists of support groups and one is Autism Network for Hearing and Visually Impaired Persons. I thought that was cool. I kind of looked into it and saw that children that are Autistic and either hearing and/or visually impaired tend to have even a harder time at speech and communication....

anyway.. I am rambling again... I obviously have tons of thoughts on this ...

A.

[christie]

A ~ Just to let you know, Christopher has had an augmetative device since he was a tiny guy. His first one, Hmmm I forget the name at the moment but was pretty simple. Now he has the DynaMyte.

Anywho, back when Chris was tiny like 4, I think it was and due to his speech or lack there of, I went to my school district and requested an augmentative communication device for Chris. They at first were like, Nooo way bla bla bla bla. Soooo I just said fine put it in writing and then I requested in writing an evaluation to see if this would be the way to go for Chris. Got my evalutation for Chris and the district paid for it A very well know hospital in our area are very experienced with these so they also after evaluating Chris reccomended which one would be best for him to use. The district then had to purchase the device and provide training for the teacher, aide, speech teacher, myself... Its all in his IEP

As he outgrew his first devise, I went back and requested another evaluation and thats when the DynaMyte was reccomended for Chris. And although back when he got it, it was quite expensive, but the School COULD NOT say NOO due to the cost, its the law

I know some districts do rent them at first to see, but mine just right out purchased it and it goes with Chris and stays with him even in the summer and if there are any repairs necessary the school has to have fixed as they own it.

Just thougth I would share this with you cause the law is that if it is determined that Russell needs an augmentative device to help him function in school its at their expense not yours. If this is necessary this is not a budget item and cannot be denied and thats in ALL states not just Jersey

CC

[christie]

DONNA C. I just read your post to A. and I tell you girl that is sooo not true. The school may tell you that but by law if they agree to an agumentative device and provide one for your child they are very much allowed to take it home. Believe me girl check that out further casue my district tried to pull that on me and alls I had to say to them was just try doing that and put it in writing that you will not let Chris take this off the school property. LOLOL NOOOO way they would put that in writing.

I am not saying this to bash the disctricts BUT I am telling you they count on people trying to pay for these themselves and this is very much something the school has to pick up if deemed necessary. This is ONE thing I know for sure And this is not by State rule its the law for everyone

"Public Schools have the responsibility to provide the assistive technology for eligible students. The funding source may be the school system or other programs. It is up to the parent as to whether they want to contribute through insurance or not. They cannot be forced to do so. For general information about the services in your local school system, contact the Director of Exceptional Children. "

Just wanted to share that



CC

[christie]

A ~
Not sure if this is a site you already have found, but if not check it out

www.eparent.com/education/idea04_02.htm

CC

[momofrussell]

THanks CC.. I already knew that they can't tell you they can't do something because of funds... they can't say that at all... that I DO know...

We have a appt with the Neuro on Thurs. I am going to take some of the stuff I found of the net with me, things offered in my area and also see who/what he reccomends... I do think another speech opinion is needed and if I can do it before school starts, (which is probably pushing it) all the better then. I am still going to give them my PECS I made for Russell, because you never know. I just want to make sure NO STONE is going unturned LOL

Thanks Guys!!!

a.