Free trial software for communication device

[Jodi]

Hey Uno Masers! I've been on reading just not posting... busy busy busy!

So anyway, we recently purchased a new device for Ryan. It is more advanced than the last. Actually, the school district had him evaluated by two different people because it was pretty expensive (about 10K .... I will give you time to digest that....). To make a long story short, the district bought one, and we got one from insurance.

While waiting for approval, I realized they had a trial version of both the Springboard and the Vantage on the company website. The company is called Prentke Romich and the website is www.prentrom.com/. This is really a cool system. Ryan used the Springboard for about 18 months and did some pretty fantastic stuff with it. He simply outgrew the device's capability a lot sooner than expected.

Anyway, when you go to the website, you go to downloads, and you can select either model. There is a 90 day trial period for the voice synthesis only. The actual software can be used indefinitely. I actually do a lot of the programming on the pc and then transfer using a thumb drive.

Ryan is very non-verbal and this has been an excellent tool. If you have any questions, please feel free to pm me!! I've been meaning to share about this, especially because it is actually FREE to check out.

Jodi

[Chester]

WOW! $10K!!

I am going to check out the link. Thanks!
Dawn

[momofrussell]

stickied this for a few incase anyone is interested. Great idea Jodi

A.

[momofrussell]

Oh.. and I also wanted to say I am glad your insurance paid for one. Our's will not

A.

[Jodi]

A -

Initially ours was rejected, but then approved under durable medical equipment (covered 50%). I got some great advice from the company about wording for the claim, and I also submitted the evaluations and had the doctor submit a prescription. I also was looking into that one group that grants "wishes" to help with funding but got lucky and had a private source.

Basically I argued that my child can not communicate with the outside world without it. No different that a wheelchair for someone who can not walk.

Jodi

[momofrussell]

Our ins does pay for DME.. .but will not pay for ANY speech devices no matter what the "code" is... we tried. We got the stroller paid for but not that. I am looking into other agencies too.

A.

[mydsgirl]

Should I assume that medicaid or the school won't pay for these? grrr

[momofrussell]

No... don't assume that. Medicaid might pay for them and technically you can get ANY support or device needed for your child, written in the IEP. You should also be able to take it home, even if it's the schools and written in the IEP. BUT... some parents, myself included, would just like to have their own at home

A.

[CC]

Our school district has paid for 3 different ones to this date for Chris as he has out grown them over the years. He keeps it at home all the time even over the summer and it travels back and forth to school during the school year. For us as long as the district pays I say YEA cause once Chris is out of school we will need to pick up the tab but least by then if he still needs it will be at an age that it should last for his needs, KWIM

CC ~

[holly]

Another free 30 day trial folks might be interested in:

The Boardmaker family of products for computers using Windows.
Check out:

www.mayer-johnson.com

Holly