Dad's Point of View

I just wanted to let anyone and everyone know that my husband decided to start a blog about raising special needs kids from a Dad's point of view.

I hope he can connect with other dad's, so he will feel like someone out there understands. But it's good for anyone to read. It's always nice to be reminded what a Dad's point of view is. Pass this along to any special needs families' you know... or just anyone who might be interested!

www.scmc0310.blogspot.com

Enjoy!!

Dynavox anyone?

So we went to an evaluation thinking we were going to come out being told to either buy an ipad or an itouch. They spent the entire time mildly outraged that anyone would suggest such a thing. They had a salesman there to give me the shpeal on Dynavox Maestro.

I have to admit, the first time he took the thing and bashed it on the table they kinda had me.

Pros about the Maestro compared to ipad:

Dedicated to speech, made by speech pathologists so it is easy to use

The therapist said it is 10x easier to program and to use than the ipad

Has camera, internet, and many of the great things the ipad has

Our current insurance will pay for all of it

Very durable

Has 1 year warranty

Can pay for warranty after that (although it is $300-$500 a year)

From 8-5 I will have tech support

They come to your home and school to teach everyone how to use it.

It uses PECS pictures (unless I choose to change them)

Cons about Maestro compared to ipad:

Someday we will have different insurance and even if it pays 80%, the Maestro is $7,000...that's still a lot

The ipad has about 1 million apps that at some point Josh will want to use (unrelated to speech) and although the Maestro is essentially a computer (PC) and you can do just about anything on it you can on a computer...it isn't an ipad

It is 3.5 lbs (and when you are only 36 lbs, that is a big deal)

It is thicker than an ipad

We will still have to pay for the warranty which is like buying an ipad once a year

His teachers are used to using ipads, not Dynavox. (Although the guy will teach them)

That is all I can think of right now. I went ahead and signed up for the Maestro with the understanding that I can call it off in the next few months without losing anything.

Do any of you have any experience with any of this? What do you guys think?

Love That Max: A simple way to help another family this holiday s...

Love That Max: A simple way to help another family this holiday s...: A reader, Lynne, shared the below letter with me, which she'd sent to her local radio station, The Point 97.1 in Las Vegas, for their "Holi...

Please Come!

If you have any questions please email me :)

Jesscaandrews@aol.com

http://www.fourinthefam.blogspot.com/



Theology of Disability

Hello all, I received an email from Tera at the 'Kidz' blog.  There is a student from Hampshire College in Amherst, MA who is doing her thesis on the LDS theology of disability.  She is looking for parents of special needs kids to interview.  While she is primarily focusing on the LDS view, she is also looking for parents of other faiths.  She is not LDS herself.  It is a very intriguing project.  You can read more about it on her blog here. Even if you don't want to participate, it may be interesting to follow her blog to see what she finds out.  She explains it much better than I do.  If you are interested, the best way to reach her is at kohleranne@gmail.com

Hey everyone. I am looking to take Mason in to get a thorough vision screening done, but I don't feel like I can take him to just any optometrist. It needs to be someone patient, good with children, and able to help a child who may not respond well to the "normal" routine of an eye exam. Have you taken your kids anywhere? Who do you recommend? I am looking preferably in Weber/Davis county, but I can travel a little if necessary.

Thanks!

Special Needs Dance Class

Just wanted to let you all know that the FREE special needs dance class is starting up again in Hooper.  There is a one time $10 registration fee.  They meet at 5:15 on Wednesday nights at the Dance Image Studios 5495 S. 5900 W. ( right across the street from Hooper Elementary. ) MK was in the class last year and REALLY loved it.  Any age, and any ability is welcome.  Spread the word.