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Post by kathytylersmom on Feb 5, 2010 22:09:10 GMT -5
Does anyone have a child that uses an agumentive communication device, if so what's your experience with it?
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Post by andrewsmom on Feb 6, 2010 16:16:04 GMT -5
Hi there! I have a 5 year old son named Andrew. He started using a communication device at the beginning of last summer. He has a vantage lite. He is doing so well with it. I always have to ask him to help me find something on it. LOL! He has not only learned all his site words for kindergarten on it, he is also starting to write his own simple sentences.
This device has helped Andrew in so many different ways. He was only saying one to two words at a time before getting his device. He can now say 4-5 words and some sentences too. The device has actually made him want to talk more. He first started repeating what it said and now says it FIRST and then presses the button for the device to repeat him. It's kind of a game to him. LOL!
He has also come so far in school. It is really amazing what can happen when our little ones can actually communicate their wants and needs and be totally understood by other people as well.
If you're thinking of getting one, I would highly recommend it! Good luck! -Trisha
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Post by kathytylersmom on Feb 6, 2010 22:01:21 GMT -5
I am working on getting a device, having difficulty with the funding requirements. he is using a gotalk 9 right now, but not really enough options for him. Can't wait to get one.
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Post by Jodi on Feb 6, 2010 22:12:50 GMT -5
Hi Kathy,
I'm not sure where you are located and if there are local rules that apply, but where I am my son has a device and the school can require that it remain on campus because it is their equipment. We have purchased our own device though.
My son (11 now) started about 5 years ago on Springboard by Prentke Romich (www.prentrom.com). He was evaluated and the first few evaluations resulted in devices that were very limited. I finally requested an independant evaluation and that got things going in the right direction. Devices can range in price from $200 to $10,000. Prentke does try to assist in finding funding sources.
My son is doing very well. He prefers to verbalize, and we allow him to do so until we cannot make out what he is saying. We will tell him he needs to either spell it out or get his device. People who are not around him as much have a more difficult time understanding him.
This nice thing about some of the devices is that they also teach techonology. Some devices have blue tooth capabilities, others have internet access and email capabilities. It all starts with the evaluation and the communication goals set for your child at school.
One argument is whether or not the communication is a factor in the child's ability to learn. Some parents think there isn't an argument here, but I think that being able to communicate is the single most important factor in a child's life. Being able to participate in school, being able to interact with peers, being able to advocate for him/herself when there is a problem (bully, pain, fear) - all of these require communication.
If you feel that your child is being limited, request another evaluation. If that evaluation, in your opinion, is not adequate, you may have to pay for your own and then present those results to your team.
Good luck!
Jodi
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Post by Kaylis on Mar 13, 2010 11:49:21 GMT -5
Best of luck with the aquisition process. That was our main problem, but eventually Virginia Medicaid paid for it as "Durable Medical Equipment". He also has a Vantage Lite. The rep from Prentke Romich (prenrom.com) was very helpful, as were all the staff there. Mikah doesn't speak hardly at all (just vowels mainly) and, while he doesn't use the talking box as often as I wish, he does use it to make two and three word phrases when clarification is needed (and the box is convenient). That's my main recommendation... Once you get one, keep it handy as much as possible to get your child used to using it as a regular thing. We didn't do a great job of this initially and have had to work recently to get him used to having it easily available.
Karen
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Post by CC on Mar 19, 2010 22:46:45 GMT -5
My guy is now 17 and has had 3 different Augmentative devices. His first was given to him in preschool. It did come in handy when Chris was just so frustrated but my guy would prefer speech even if you don't understand him as for him he understands what he is saying... Chris has had and continues to have a TOTAL Communication part of his program. He has always had available to him speech, verbal, sign, cueing (sp?) and an augmentative device... I can share with you that our school district paid for all 3 different devices, its the law if your child needs it. For now we returned the device to our district as Chris just has no interest and maybe it can help another child. They continue to change these devices and one day we may go back but for now we gave it a good try and Chris was tested many times and all agree he would be a GREAT candidate but my guy just would rather speak. I just wish we could understand what he really is saying most the time BUT I will say although speech is the area my guy struggles the most even at 17 we see improvement CC~
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Post by momofrussell on Mar 21, 2010 20:46:54 GMT -5
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Post by wrblack on Mar 22, 2010 5:26:17 GMT -5
Ooh, ooh. We're jealous. Russell's getting Tap to Talk. Mentioned that to Charlie's SLP last Thursday. We're still trying to get started with PECS and a board with just 4 pictures, sometimes just 2. Saw on the list a week back that another iPhone app, voice4u, seems to be pretty good and much cheaper than proloquo2go. Voice4u site, voice4uaac.com/ , says it's coming for Android. Probably just as well that Charlie's not ready for this yet. Hard choice whether to give him Robert's DSLite or his mom's Android. Maybe not so hard. Android has a camera. -- Bob
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Post by momofrussell on Mar 22, 2010 14:07:36 GMT -5
Bob, I don't think Charlie is too young to start him out on the Tap To Talk along with the PECS on a board. It's a different reinforcer. I would use both. We will, especially at school. Never can get enough reinforcement in my opinion DSi has a camera And the XL version comes out end of this week, which is what Grandma and Papa are getting Russell. We are buying the Tap To Talk subscription....it was all for his bday. A.
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Post by mydsgirl on Mar 23, 2010 3:39:57 GMT -5
We are using the GoTalk as well and I do find it is limited but I thought it was a good starting point. Our medicaid paid for the one at home and school supplies one there.
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