iPad Funding Help

iPad funding resources for families with kids who have special needs

 

"5 Steps to Getting An iPad Covered by Insurance; A mom's story of success"
Step-by-step guide for approaching your insurance company for an iPad as AAC.

 

iTaalk.org's funding page 

Grant sources, raffles, giveaways, and scrappy suggestions for self-funding are available at this comprehensive page of iPad funding resources.

 

iHelp for Special Needs

Founded by parents, iHelps raises funds for children with special needs to receive iPads and apps for communication, life skills, and social skills.

 

Danny's Wish 

is accepting applications for iPads for children with autism and autism spectrum disorders. Their goal is to raise $50,000 for 100 iPads for children most in need.

 

ACT Today! 

Autism Care and Treatment provides grants between $100 and $5,000 to families with children on the autism spectrum (and they have funded many iPads). Families with more than one child on the autism spectrum are considered first. Grants are made quarterly.

 

Alternative Financing Programs for Assistive Technology
Every state has one. Financial loans are available to individuals and families needing or wanting assistive technology devices and/or services, including iPads (and apps and training). Many families and individuals with disabilities on limited incomes access loans for devices through these programs, and do so with better rates and terms than traditional bank loans. Find your state's Alternative Financing Program (AFP) for assistive technology at this RESNA Catalyst Project Web page.

Comments

[Iman]

Hi Chris. I'm a speech polhatogist, and I've worked quite a bit with the proloquo2go app with a couple of students with severe speech disorders. It is wonderful for them, though it should be stressed that it isn't a magic bullet that enables instant, fluent communication. It is akin to learning a new language, with a lot of time and practice required before it comes quickly and naturally. I can tell you that proloquo2go runs on the ipod touch, the iphone, and the ipad. It is easiest on the ipad because there is plenty of room on the screen to see more word choices (you touch images and it speaks the word). However, some students prefer the ipod touch or iphone because they are easier to carry around. I wish it would run on the android platform so that something like the new kindle fire from amazon (much cheaper!) might be able to run it.As for your situation, I would consider asking his speech therapist (if he has one, probably through his IEP at school) which app they would recommend, and which device you should get to run that app. Proloquo2go costs nearly $200 just for the app. For the person who is unable to express themselves through speech, it can be worth every penny and then some, unlocking so many doors and allowing them to communicate. I recommend it. For someone with more mild speech problems, it may be overkill and not helpful. There are many many other communication apps, but I haven't tried them. I've heard good things specifically about tap to talk. I hope you come up with a good fit for your grandson!