iPads and other technology “touch devices” are a wonderful new tool and may benefit children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) greatly. The iPad can speak for the nonverbal, aid functional speech, soothe, educate, teach skills to and entertain all. It’s really amazing what this little machine can do! Unfortunately, they range from $500 to $1000 with all the “bells and whistles” and warranties and that doesn’t include apps. For parents of ASD kids who are already financially strapped due to the enormous out-of-pocket expenses autism treatments incur, that’s more than many families can come up with.Fortunately, there are a number of ways to get an iPad funded.Assistive Technology & Augmentative Communication Devices (AT/AC) - For an in-depth explanation of AT/AC devices, please go to http://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/helping-nonverbal-kids-to-communicate/ AT/AC Device FundingAugmentative Communication (AC)/Assistive Technology (AT) device funding options include public school, private insurance, Medicaid, grants and private pay. Public SchoolThis is who SHOULD be providing your child’s iPad – or any other Augmentative Communication device.As with any AT/AC device, the process is the same:
I have seen hundreds of people be successful obtaining much need communication tools, such as iPads, from the schools but only a handful through private insurance. The insurance companies are still playing the “it’s too new” game and are not covering it for the most part, but it’s worth a try if you are unable to get one from public school.InsuranceContact your insurance company to find out about applying for one as part of their DME – Durable Medical Equipment. There will be special forms and processes unique to your Insurance plan. The insurance company can direct you to get the forms, what coverage you may have for DME and how to apply.HSAIf you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) check to see if it will cover an AT device, as I know several people who have gotten it paid by their HSA. More on HSAs here http://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/health-savings-accounts/Letters of NecessityMy Insurance and Medicaid filing required 3 letters of recommendation, one each from his primary care pediatrician, the speech pathologist that performed the Assistive Technology evaluation and provides ongoing therapy and State Medicaid asked for a letter from his behavioralist. I sent all three along with a cover letter in my request. Medicaid If you have both private insurance and Medicaid, you MUST apply to your private insurance and be denied before you can apply to Medicaid because Medicaid is always payer of last resort.If you only have Medicaid, you will likely only be required to provide letters of necessity from your Medicaid-provider speech and primary care physicians. Your Medicaid caseworker can walk you through the process of applying for a AT/AC device under Durable Medical Equipment (DME). Sample Letters of NecessityBelow are sample letters you can model when applying for Private insurance or Medicaid to cover an AT/AC device. Letter sample from Speech Therapist: December 24, 2011 To Whom It May Concern:I am writing on behalf of Johnny Jones. Johnny is a 15 year old male, with diagnoses of autism and apraxia that has been involved in speech therapy at our facility since 2004. Focus of therapy includes increasing functional communication through verbal and cognitive tasks. Johnny is a delightful young man and participates well in therapy. His verbal expression is characterized by 1-2 word responses to questions with very limited initiation. He is able to speak in complete sentences, however typically needs prompting or a verbal model to do so. Given this communication level and Johnny’s interest and motivation with electronic devices, it was decided Johnny would benefit from an augmentative and alternative communication assessment. Over the course of treatment sessions, I have evaluated Johnny with several different forms of augmentative communication. The PECs system (low-tech), a Dynavox high-tech device and most recently Apple’s iPad (high tech) with Tap to Talk communication application. Given Johnny’s functional gross motor and fine motor coordination, Johnny was able to manually access the electronic devices without difficulty. He manipulated a 6-cell screen independently and was able to communicate wants/needs instantly with both devices. For example, when given ‘Wh’ questions (i.e. What would you like for lunch today? He accessed the food page and made his selection among a field of 6 with 100% accuracy). Johnny was able to utilize the touch screen keypad on both the Dynavox and the iPad to spell 5-10 letter words independently and to produce structured sentences with cues. After typing the words or sentences he is able to independently press the prompt cue to have the words spoken on the devices. Johnny benefitted from both of the high tech devices over the low tech PECs system because of the ability of the high tech devices to produce verbal output based on Johnny’s selection. Johnny verbally repeated the devices output messages which is exciting to watch this type of cueing unfold. I was impressed with Johnny’s ease and ability to manipulate the Apple iPad with very little instruction. His inquisitive mind and familiarity with electronic devices assisted in his ability to work the device without difficulty.I am recommending the Apple iPad with TapToTalk and Prologuo2 augmentative communication application for Johnny. This device will benefit Johnny’s communication as detailed above as well as academically through the many education applications available for download to the device. The iPad is superior to Dynavox and the PECs system for Johnny’s needs, in the diversity of the device, the growth potential through a variety of applications available as Johnny’s abilities and interest change. The iPad 64GB 3G (so that Johnny can utilize when he travels as well) runs approximately $899 versus the Dynavox devices that run between $6000-$8000. I strongly believe that the iPad will enhance Johnny’s expressive and receptive language skills and home programs and significantly improve Johnny’s quality of life through a valuable communication approach and educational opportunities. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 717-555-1212 or via e-mail atspeechtherapy@center.com Sincerely, Mary Clark, SLP MA-CC Licensed Speech-language Pathologist Sample letter from behavioralist: To Whom It May Concern:This letter is in reference to Johnny Jones. Johnny is currently involved with Youth Behavioral Services, Inc. and works in five general goal areas. Johnny is supported with his Environmental Comprehension, Social/Communication skills, Self-help/Awareness skills, Safety, and Behavioral Management skills. Two of the most prominent barriers we are facing are constant self-talk and limited communication skills (both receptively and expressively). Through utilization of an iPad, Johnny can enhance in all goal areas and overcome the barriers that impeded his progress.The user-friendly applications and the immediate response time the iPad provides are big motivating factors that increase the success of the iPad in comparison to other devices. With the ability to download almost unlimited programs, we are not committed to the use of one single program which may or may not meet all of Johnny’s needs. The recommendation is for the use of an iPad 3G, so it can be used out in the community, that has 64gb to support the applications needed for his goals. With this device, we can address all goal areas and gain generalization and cohesion with our goals.Through the use of the iPad, Johnny will have the ability to appropriately communicate with those around him, both expressively and receptively. He will enhance his quality of life and he will be able to participate in his community as a functional member. If you have any questions or would like more information please feel free to contact me at 717-555-1212 or via e-mail at therapist@YBS.org Sincerely, Jill Scott, MS Behavioral Specialist Sample letter from Pediatrician (who is also a Medicaid Provider if you are going to apply for an iPad through Medicaid if insurance denies): December 24, 2011 Re: Johnny Jones DOB: 8/24/95Cigna Insurance ID#U444111999 I am writing to request authorization for payment for an augmentative/alternative electronic communication system (AAC) for Johnny. Johnny has Autism and Apraxia, which has caused a severe disability affecting his speech and language. I recently had the pleasure of seeing Johnny following an extensive Augmentative Communication Evaluation at Speech Therapy Center Inc. This evaluation was conducted to examine some of Johnny’s communication impairments related to Autism and Apraxia. A copy of the AAC evaluation recommendation is included with this letter.Johnny has never used an AAC device in the past. Several different AAC devices were tried with Johnny as part of the evaluation and one device was found to be the most appropriate for him in order to improve his communication ability. The recommended device is the Apple iPad, a speech output communication system. Johnny has sufficient receptive language skills and the use of this device will help him further his expressive language abilities. This AAC device is medically necessary in order for Johnny to be able to indicate his physical and health status (such as giving details about how he is feeling when he is ill or in pain), letting others know of his personal needs and wants, and to request help (especially in emergency situations when Johnny is in the community or with caregivers who may not be familiar with Johnny’s poor and limited speech). The Apple iPad device is durable medical equipment. This and similar devices have been classified as such by many insurance carriers in most states, such as Blue Cross-Blue Shield, Aetna, and Medicaid. It is a Speech Generating Device in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services classification system. Cigna’s HCPC Code for this device is E2500-2511. Specifically, the iPad is medical equipment because: it is directly related to Johnny’s medical diagnosis; replaces the abnormal functioning of a body function (verbal speech); is expected to be used for a long-term; and, it is appropriate to improve Johnny’s current and future language to assist him in his activities of daily living both at home and at school (or other programs). (See report from the Augmentative Communication Evaluation). Thank you for your assistance in making this equipment available to Johnny and his family and helping to improve his health care and functional abilities and independence. Please call me at (717) 555-1212 if I can provide any additional information or contact me by email or regular mail. Sincerely, Carol Kennedy, M.D. Small Town Pediatrics FAX: 717-555-1213 Phone: 717-555-1212 Grants to get an iPad from National Organizations This list will change on a regular basis. This information is updated as of December 2011. *Please note the application deadlines for each grant as they all seem to be different. Funding availability can also change. Act Today! http://act-today.org/act-today-grant-program.php Apps for Children with Special Needs http://a4cwsn.com/ipad2-4u/ AutismCares – Autism Speaks iPad 2 Technology Grant http://www.autismcares.org/site/c.mqLOIYOBKlF/b.4844551/k.9606/Technology_Grant.htm Conover Company http://www.conovercompany.com/grants/ HollyRod Foundation http://www.hollyrod.org/ The iTaalk Autism Foundation http://www.itaalk.org Let’s Chat Autism http://www.letschatautism.com/ipads-for-autism-application/ Loud Mommy http://loudmommy.com/apply/ Small Steps in Speech http://www.smallstepsinspeech.org/application Zane’s Foundation http://www.zanesfoundation.org/?action=about-us *If you know of other national granting programs, please email us at http://www.tacanow.org/contact/ More Helpful websites: Apple iPad, iPod Touch might help people with autism take steps toward independence iPad is Magic, Revolutionary for Disabled Boyhttp://www.tomsguide.com/us/disabilities-handicap-tablet-slate-ipod,news-8572.html iPad and Autism ResearchSouth Florida Researchers Study iPad Therapy for Autism Effectiveness of the iPad in Enhancing the Mand Repertoire for Children with Autism Teaching children with autism spectrum disorders to check the spelling of words iPads and “touch technology” are fairly new to the autism and typical communities. TACA is working hard with research teams to provide the research behind innovative tools to provide alternative communication technology to help individuals with autism. |
 |
|||||||
 
CategoriesEffective TherapiesReserach Social Skills Updates |
|
 |
|||||
    |
|||||||
