How can we afford this? How can we not?

Post Reply New Topic

$450 for one week of preschool for children with autism

Add to that speech therapy and sensory therapy, all of the supplements, doctor's appointments, the special diet (GF/CF) foods, etc.

HOW?!? I'm a freaking wreck right now.

Katejake, I completely understand!! We live in a country with supposedly the best health care in the world, but you have to be a millionaire to actually afford it. Otherwise, you're just another casualty.

I don't know where you live or what your situation is, but we are fortunate to live in Tupelo, Mississippi, where we receive free speech and occupational therapy through a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids and adults (The Regional Rehabilitation Center). Our public school system also offers special classes for kids with developmental delays starting at 3 years old, where they get personalized speech and OT, plus tons of other help to get them on the right track before kindergarten.

We spent a year battling our health insurance provider to cover an out-of-state specialist who treats our son with anti-fungals and anti-virals. It was a pain but worth it in the end. Plus, we scored free airline tickets to see him through American Airlines Miles for Kids in Need program.

All of this is to say: Free help is out there if you make the right connections. It also helps to live in a community with some good programs.

Would you share more of your situation so we could do some online research and see if there's some alternatives in your area?

Deep breath. Step back.

How impaired is your child? How strongly do YOU feel your child needs this special school, the special diet, the whole nine yards? Or has someone scared you into thinking your child needs all this? You posted before that your son tested negative on a gluton allergy; does it really help him to be so expensively careful with it?

It really depends on a combination of how impaired your child is AND how tied up your time is elsewhere. My personal opinion, totally unscientific, is that most spectrum kids learn extremely well at the very young ages at home. Less sensory issues, less stranger stress, and so on. It certainly was true with my son, even though because of work and other obligations I stubbornly denied it and kept him a preschool. All these therapies have been developed from things intuitive moms tried at home with their own kids.

It sounds like your son has done well in mainstream preschool. Is that true? So the more specific question is exactly what do you hope he'll gain from the special one? What are the goals the school will set, and do you agree with them? After all, it is not and should not be a big deal if our kids don't do everything other little ones do; a lot of it is society's expectations, but not absolutely necessary to living a happy and productive life. So my son didn't learn to tie his shoes until he was 9. It doesn't make much difference; he still refuses to buy shoes that require lacing, and alternatives ARE available. So it is worth considering what is lost v. what is gained.

And what is lost, when you engage in a program you don't feel you can afford? A lot of it is family happiness. You feel more stressed, and that interferes with your relationship with your son, when what he really needs most is a positive relationship in the home. You may need to work more, taking away precious hours with him.

I'm not saying the preschool is a bad idea; I honestly don't know. But I DO feel there has been WAY too much empahsis on outside, costly interventions that don't necessarilly make any real difference, and much of the benefit of which could have been obtained another way.

So step back. Check in on your mommy instinct. Think about really is right for this one unique child, and what ALL the alternatives are.

The standard path isn't always going to be the best one.

Move out of the country!! ! I hate to say it, but we lived in Puerto Rico and we could afford all our health expenses, even without insurance...the cost was about 1/4 of what they are in the US, if not less...our salary on the other hand was comparable, and actually, the economy was better and we made much more money there than here...After spending 80% of my 401K over one year that I have been in the US just to pay medical, etc...we are just waiting to leave because we are broke...

Uh, yeah. There is a camp close by here for kids with special needs. It would be awesome for my son, BUT-- it's 2,000 dollars for 3 weeks. Not going to happen. It pisses me off that everything the "experts" recommend is so freaking expensive that no one can afford them.

See what you can get out of your local Puplic schools first before you go runnig off to a 450 buck a week rip-off. If your child is under 3 in most states do therepy in your home were you can learn what helps first hand and don't have to sit at home and wonder if it's working. I know that diet is important to some kids but don't asssume your kid needs that with out testing. If you feel that he truely does there are some great places to learn how to cook gultten free food for a heck of alot less then it costs to by it in the store. Goodeats did a chocolate chip cookie and gave the basic run down on how to do to the substitutions. Alot of states also offer more programs and aid for kids that need help you child might beable to get low or no cost health insurace. best of luck

thank you all for your words. It's unbelievable how medical insurance does not cover the cost of ABA therapy.

This is the thing. My son is 3. All they can give him at school is one day a week of ABA and it won't start until the fall. I also work 45 minutes from home and his school would want to have him there every morning by 8. Can't exactly put food on the table if I'm not employed due to missing so much work! Now, I don't know what ABA therapy will do for my son (i.e. hinder/help/no difference) but I cannot, as a parent look back when this child is 5 or 6 and see the 'window' close and say to myself, "Well, I did everything."

My son will be attending The Riley Center for as long as we can financially support it. He'll be going Monday - Friday for 4 hours a day and then off to daycare. 20 hours of one on one ABA therapy a week = $470. Then, since I'll still be at work when he's done, he'll still have to attend daycare (they've lowered the rate to $75 since he's only going to be there half days...thank goodness!)

I cashed in my 401K. It's not much AT ALL but will get him a couple of months worth of the particular therapy. If at the end of this time when the funds are exhausted I do not see a change, I will THEN have a better understanding of what does/doesn't work for him.

This is not an easy path for any of us to be on. Each path is different and obstacles are put in our way at every turn and crossroad. I will let ya'll know how it goes and I truly appreciate everyone's feedback. Thank you.

I feel your pain.

I was born in the US but I live in Australia. (Thank God)

In Australia the government picks up the tab for everything.

My niece was autistic and had to go to a special school. No cost.

A few months ago I had a heart attack. I needed an operation plus a couple of weeks in hospital plus follow up care. It cost me .... nothing!

Now I need to take six different sorts of pills and it costs me very little.

No kidding it is expensive. I was lucky enough that my grandparents owned a private school, although not one for kids with autism but they were able to work with me and my parents had really good insurance that paid for all my therapies at 80%. I realize many parents are not so lucky. Before you freak out though:
try grants
try fundraising, there are tons of ways to do this,
check out what your public school has to offer
don't forget to look into scholarships as well.

Thanks, ya'll. I went though Early Intervention before he was 3 and found that there's $500 available to him (that should pay for one week and I'LL TAKE IT! )

I found another scholarship that I'm filling out the paperwork for now. Some we're not eligible for as we JUST over the max annual income to apply....but still trying to make ends meet. Trust me, I'm a very frugal person. I'm a coupon queen and am known for finding the best deals.

Bottom line....I'm going to make it work. I'll report back