There is a reason why everyone's talking about iPads... they can be used as assistive devices for individuals with disabilities. From GPS apps that assist with Orientation & Mobility to high-tech communicating programs that take the place of much more expensive gear, the iPad has become the go-to apparatus for kids with special needs.
Plus the iPad's entry features are remarkable! Yes, iPads are readily available to users who are deaf or visually impaired (Read this article to learn more about iPad access ).
However, if the iPad is much less expensive then some other conventional assistive devices, that does not mean they're always affordable!
iPad for autistic child
1. TALK TO YOUR Insurance Supplier
Start by calling your insurance carrier. Learn what you are permitted under Durable Medical Equipment and talk to a case manager about using an iPad coated through your DME (make sure you request a case manager to be delegated to you since they have more picking energy than client support ).
If you are going the insurance policy course you're likely to want to get a very clear reason you want the iPad. You can't simply say, "I hear they're fantastic for special needs children!" Do your research and know that programs, specifically, you want to utilize and which needs they'll be addressing.
By way of example, I believe it makes great sense to ask your insurer to pay an iPad if you are planning on using it as a communication device. It's possible to argue that a program like Proloquo2go would be helpful for your autistic child and could cost much less than standalone communication equipment (for instance, a Dynavox). Make sure you request your insurance also covers the communication app, however, because those could also cost hundreds of bucks.
On the reverse side, if you merely wish to play the iPad and use it to help teach your autistic child about cause-and-effect or how to take turns (which is mainly the way we utilize our iPad utilizing Ivan), I am sure the insurance company would guide you down. Your kid's demand for your iPad should be quite clear.
Observing the communication instance, you'd wish to possess letters of medical necessity written by your autistic child's speech therapist, pediatrician, neurologist, behaviorist, or any other applicable professional. Include your child's most up-to-date language evaluation and maybe even videos of your child using an iPad in therapy. You might even send along any post you've discovered associated with utilizing an iPad for a communication device (the more academic the material the better it is going to be received).
If you're denied by insurance, then don't give up hope! First of all, you might always ask reconsideration (we've had to reapply for the protection of a product prior to and had it accepted on another petition ). If all else fails with insurance, keep that denial letter and examine other places where you might find it helpful. Bear in mind that lots of charities or programs are going to want to realize that you requested your insurance and have been turned down, so make sure that you discover that refusal in writing and hold on to that letter!
2. ASK YOUR SCHOOL
One other place to visit for an iPad is your kid's school district. If you think your autistic child will greatly benefit from the use of an iPad in school, then these are the people who should be funding the purchase. Obviously, that the iPad would then be college property so that you'll want to ensure that they will enable your autistic child to utilize the iPad out of the classroom, but that can typically be organized (many schools send classroom laptops home with students and this could be a comparable arrangement).
To receive a school to purchase an iPad (especially one that is intended for one pupil's use rather than the entire classroom), you'll need to adhere to the very same actions which you use to obtain lodging or treatment written into your autistic child's IEP.
Begin by asking an evaluation by a professional familiar with your child's handicap and working using an iPad. They may examine your autistic child's answer to some different assistive devices and report back on that which ones worked best.
Subsequently, call a meeting to amend your autistic child's IEP and add the demand for the iPad in addition to training with the device and the specific programs your child will be using (all to be provided in the school ). This is also a wonderful time to go over when/how your kid will utilize the iPad (can it come home during the summer and winter breaks, for example ) and have that written in the IEP as well. As I am confident you know, if it is written down at the IEP it is much simpler to apply!
3. CONTACT LOCAL CHARITIES
Local charities are frequently quite happy to help kids in their region. Contacting nearby charities might be difficult (initially you've got to figure out which institutions are on your region and then work out how to get them), however frequently they're more responsive than the big national organizations.
Most communities have a Lion's Club and because they concentrate on helping individuals who are blind, they may be the ideal place to get started. We've had fantastic success with our Lion's Club. However, we've also discovered when searching for assistance with big-ticket things, Lion's Club can assist but often can not pay for the full cost so we have needed to look elsewhere as well. Here is an inspirational story about a family in Pennsylvania who managed to get an iPad funded by their Lion's Club and yet another local charity working collectively. That is the capacity to get it done!
4. TRY SOME FUNDRAISING
Another decision is to just attempt to improve the money yourself https://grantsupporter.com/autism-grants-for-ipad/. Frankly, an iPad is not so expensive, right? If you figure that you'll need at least $500 to your iPad and maybe another $250 to get a protective cover and programs (depending on which you will use the iPad for), that's still well under $1000. How many gifts would you have to attain your objective?
You can begin simply by asking family members to give birthday and holiday gifts in the form of iTunes and Apple gift cards (recall, the Apple card may purchase the iPad along with the iTunes card may buy applications, but they do not move --in other words, you can not buy an iPad having an iTunes gift card).
You might also get a bit fancy and open an account with an internet fundraising website and ask family members and friends to contribute there. This is an enjoyable way to raise money since everybody can see your target and how close you are to achieving it (which can encourage some people to contribute just a bit longer ). A variety of those websites integrate well with Facebook, Twitter, and popular blogging systems, meaning that you might discuss your design simpler.
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