Autism Conference

[Guest guest]

I went to the Autism Conference in Gwinnett Co. through GA Autism Conferences this last week.  The sessions were great, the speakers fabulous, and here are some things I was able to gather from some of the presenters and the exhibitors.  I hope I can express everything accurately.

1.  If your child has a speech issue or no speech, (think more about our severe and/or moderate population), you can get a speech device from Dynavox and/or other speech devices PAID FOR by Medicaid if your child has Medicaid.  You might have to have a recommendation from a speech therapist (private), but that should not OVERLY be an issue, as many of them take Medicaid.  

I will say, that schools are often supposed to provide these things for the students, but as a former special education teacher, I have seen many " trials " done on devices, and if the child cannot quickly master the device (as in 15 mins. or so), the school system will say, " This is not effective for the student. " - therefore, the school won't pay.  YOU can step around the school and get your own if you have Medicaid or Beckett Medicaid, etc.  

2.  If enough students need devices, Dynavox will come out and do a demonstration for you.3.  Tools for Life, www.gatfl.org is a statewide agency that grants access to assistive technology.  There are facilities in each region of Georgia where parents, adults, etc. with disabilities can " try out " a loaner ipad with apps (that you request), Personal Devices that have schedules in them and/or step by step instructions to make working a job easier for someone on the spectrum, Dynavox's, etc. so that you can find out if your child will benefit from the purchase of a device.  These people also have access to grants, etc. that they can give you as resources for funding of an ipad or other device if your child does not have Medicaid (Medicaid does NOT pay for ipads) and you financially fit their requirements.  There are also sources of financing for such things that Tools for Life can direct you to.  They work with people outside the autism spectrum as well.  I like the " try it before you buy it " idea.  It would be a bummer to invest $$$, if the thing you bought did nothing for your loved one.  This agency will interview you, ask what area of life you want improvement in, let you know what is available, etc.  

4.  Mo Buti of Chicago, IL showed a video of a movie of 2 men who are probably at the moderate level of autism who decided to go around the world to tell people about autism and disability.  The movie they made is called " Wretches and Jabberers " and the trailer for it on youtube is best.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FlIyJJRc0E  I think you will be very moved by this trailer, and I want to get the movie for my private collection.  

I will have more to discuss as I process it all, but I thought this was very interesting.  I hope you will find this information helpful!Thanks, Pearce