Friday, May 10, 2013

HUGE updates and news!

I know, I've almost let this blog die! But that's because things have been so busy in the past 6-8 months. But why am I back here now? Because I have some HUGE news!

Shortly after we started Michael in the special ed preschool here, his teacher told me I should apply for this Autism Waiver through Medicaid. Approx 250 kids from Utah would be selected at random to get free therapies. This is just a trial program for now to see how it works out and they may end up opening it up to the state after that. Well, I was shocked to find out about a month ago that Michael was selected!!

What does this mean for us? Well, I just had the Medicaid person come to my house yesterday for a full orientation on the benefits. Basically what it will provide, in addition to regular Medicaid services, is ABA therapy and respite care - AT NO COST!! That's approx $30,000/yr worth of therapy that we are being granted through this program. I couldn't feel more blessed to be selected.

So as soon as I fill out some more paperwork (it is the gov't after all!) then they will set me up with a therapist to come out to our house for 15 hours a week (3 hours a day M-F) and hopefully help us out with some of his problem areas. His biggest issues are rituals and the man that came said that is really the best thing ABA helps treat. So I'm stoked! For those that don't know what ABA is, here's a link to help explain. CLICK

Another amazing part of this benefit is I will get respite care! We can use one of the providers they have on a list or we can choose our own person. Up to 3 hours a week we can have a respite provider watch our kids, or we can bank them up as long as we don't use more than 6 hours in a day. I almost cried hearing this. I've been pretty much stuck with the kids since moving here and the idea of getting away for 3 hours at a time really sounds like heaven. :)

Hopefully I will be better about updating this blog in the future and on his progress!!