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Our Situation

May 28th, 2014 at 10:39 pm

This post is not meant as an opportunity to whine, although it may come appear as such. I just want to document my thoughts at this point in time, and archive them.

Raising kids with special needs is tough. I blogged a little while back about how we had started both boys at an autism clinic. The staff at the clinic use a therapy method called Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). ABA is considered the gold standard in autism therapy.

DS1 has been diagnosed with Classic Autism, and DS2 has been diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified, which is also on the Autism Spectrum, but not as severe as Classic Autism. When you look at DS1, and interact with him just a little bit, anyone would know something is off about him. DS2, on the other hand looks like a typical four year old. It takes a bit more interaction with him to realize he is not a typical four year old. Regardless, they both qualified for treatment at the clinic.

Of course, the primary reason for sending them to the clinic is for them to receive the therapy, so they can develop into the best DS1 and DS2 that they can be. A secondary, and very important reason that they attend the clinic is so that my DW can get some much needed respite. They are transported directly from the clinic to their school, about two miles away. They are gone away from my DW from 8:30 AM until about 4:30 PM four days a week.

One of us (usually DW) drives them to the clinic. The clinic is about 23 miles from our house. They started at the clinic in mid-March. The four day a week, 23 mile trip is driving us broke. There are a thousand reasons to send them to the clinic, and only one reason not to - it is expensive.

We (mostly DW) are currently exploring services that can help us defray the costs. DW did learn of a service that will transport children to clinics such as these. That service is only available in the tri-county metro Detroit area.

I'm sure we will find something that will require another social worker, more paper work, and more record keeping and more vouchers, etc.

Again, I don't want to come across as whiny, although I probably am whining. It's just that this stuff is hard, and it didn't come as part of the Foster Parent Training Manual.

End Whine!

9 Responses to “Our Situation”

  1. laura Says:
    1401313635


    Do the costs outweigh the benefit? If no, then continue. If yes, then re-evaluate. Just not clear in the original brain dump: does your wife pick them up from school? If so, is it the same amount of driving? If a bus brings them home, could they attend the clinic two days a week as a opposed to four - less cost, still some respite? Can you check with the clinic for potential outreach that might help you?

    Hand in there, Bob. You're still fantastic for what you are doing. Whining is a privilege that goes with certain territory.

  2. Bob B. Says:
    1401314812

    Prior to March, the school picked them up at about 11:20, and dropped them off at 4:30. Now school only drops them off at 4:30.

  3. TashaC. Says:
    1401319111

    I didn't realize clinics like these existed. I have a few friends with autistic children and I will keep this in mind when I talk to them. Maybe there is something like this in their area.

  4. ThriftoRama Says:
    1401321320

    That doesn't sound like complaining. Is the drive a hardship because of the price of gas, or is there some other factor I'm missing?

  5. creditcardfree Says:
    1401322715

    Glad to hear your wife is getting some respite, but it sure shouldn't come at a cost that burdens your family. I hope a benefit is available and the additional paperwork makes it worth it. As said above, hang in there, you are doing great things for those boys!

  6. Kiki Says:
    1401338848

    Is carpool available?

    Is this a long term rest of life program? Didn't you once mention some additional assistance you could get financially?

    Can your wife not come home from the drive? Is there errands she can run? Get respite by hitting the library, park, see a movie, grocery shop then head home?

    What you and your family are doing for those children is priceless, even with the financial hardships. And this is a safe place to talk, vent, scream, yell, get it out, what ever you need to do!

  7. snafu Says:
    1401384013

    Does the Clinic work with other services to provide transportation? Are you involved with the Autism Society, Michigan? http://www.autism-mi.org/ Can that organization put you on track to find transportation assistance? Do you have a 'handi bus' organization functioning in your community? Would you be willing to contact Service Clubs in your community like Lions, Rotary, Elks, Knights of Columbus or your church's assistance?

    Our community's Cancer Clinic has a volunteer service to take patients to treatment as it takes stress off patients from driving, paying for parking and cost of gas so I'm thinking something similar could be organized by church parishioners for example.

  8. LivingAlmostLarge Says:
    1402962804

    Something positive, I have a friend whose son at age 2 was diagnosed with autism. After intensive ABA treatment a year later at age 3, the psychiatrist said the official diagnosis would be removed at age 5. He had 30 hours a week of therapy @ home, including a therapist going with him to a special preschool and working with him. His mom admitted she wondered if she had done something wrong. And all the effort has been worth it. Just a positive thought for you and support.

    Second where I live they transport them. Have you contacted the public school system?

    If not hire someone. Honestly a stay at home mom might jump at the chance to make a few bucks driving them. Know anyone who could help or a friend of a friend? Church reference or coworker referral?

  9. Kiki Says:
    1402967811

    Also, do you track of mileage you drive for therapy and med appointments? Isnt that a write off if you itemize? Would that help some of the financial crunch, albeit in 2015 when tax refunds are given out. Something to investigate.

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