Of course, I have to ask why the school isn't providing the iPad plus supports, since he clearly needs the device to benefit from education.........
"I've been trying to find a way to get him an iPad," she said to me, her voice cracking.
"I just know if we could afford to get him an iPad, you know, with one of those language programs, that they would have to teach him to use it to communicate in school." "I could fight for that until they do." "He's fifteen now." "All this time they could have done more."
I kept my voice calm and even on the phone. "All this is true and that is a fine idea, but right now we have to focus on how we can make sure he has his seizure meds for the next two weeks."
"You can't keep using his emergency meds." " Let's solve that problem together first."
I talked to her about the Partnership for Prescription Assistance program. When her autistic son was out of the ER and back home stable and resting, I quietly asked what else they needed. "Have you been keeping up with your husband's medications and your own as well?" "Are you behind on your power and heating bills?" "When was the last time you and your husband ate?"
"But what do you think about my iPad idea?" She began again. "I just know if I keep him on a GFCF diet and get him an iPad, he'll be more able to ask for help when he needs it." "His service provider says he's too disabled for an iPad but I just know..."
I told her I would send her contact information for MDTAP, The Maryland Assistive Technology Cooperative, and to reach out to them for possible assistive tech evaluations and to have him try some AAC devices on loan. She was ashamed of her state of hunger, ashamed the DDA would discover what they'ed been doing to afford the special diet and out of pocket things for their son. She was terrified they'ed be seen as unfit parents and their son would be taken from them.
"Promise to keep going to these food pantries?" I asked. " I promise," she answered. I told her there was no shame in needing food, that their present impoverished position had little to do with any failing on their part, and their son needed them to be fit and well nourished to help him. This was more important than anything else, that they all be healthy and safe.