Tag: AAC
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Speech Device Update: Denial Received & Initial Response
Today, Andy and I took turns waiting at home to sign for a letter from the department of the Arizona Division of Developmental Disabilities that handles applications for speech devices regarding their ultimate decision on the recommendations of the AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) evaluator. For those of you new to this blog, I will…
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Additional Information: New Speech (AAC) Device Policy by AZ DDD Disputed
My sweet husband Andy reads each of my weekly posts. After reading last month’s post “So Many Questions,” which was written about the challenges our family had been experiencing trying to obtain an updated and medically appropriate speech device for our son (whose current device has been malfunctioning for nearly a year now), he noted…
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January Gratitude & Some Reading
To J.T. Nearly 7 years ago our family stood before a judge, holding a beautiful nine month old baby boy who had been our foster son, humble and joyful as a judge declared we were now legally his parents in every way. Reams of records can attest: nobody involved with his case then could have…
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So Many Questions…
This is a post that is- and yet isn’t- about me. As I contemplated how I wanted to approach writing a bit more about our holidays this year, I knew that what would feel most joyful for some to read would be focused on the superficial aspects. A diorama of Christmas trappings and traditions as…
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A Year of Gifts
So much of the gift giving in our communities is concentrated and condensed into days of prescribed celebration. But some of the best presents have trickled in bit by bit this past year, oft ill-wrapped by other circumstances and generally unannounced by fanfare, tags, or cards. Perhaps they are small compared to what some would…
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Your Kid Finger Paints? Mine Too!
This is a post I wish to write with as much sensitivity as possible. In choosing to touch upon this topic in any manner, I have been basing my decisions on what I can glean from Tony’s public actions and decided that currently he wouldn’t be concerned about us having this conversation. What he would…
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“You Would Cry Too”
For years, I have lived in a state of hypervigilance. So many seemingly simple moments for other families are packed with opportunities for my son to be seriously harmed. Some things Tony does because he either lacks a more complete understanding or currently can’t hold onto what will happen to him if he succeeds in…