thestorybookchanges.com /Blog

First Post

September 30th, 2009

Today I am starting a blog for the parents and caregivers of children with language delays, to provide material ideas, strategies and tips for helping your child to improve their communication abilities.

Due to recent changes in insurance coverage, an increasing number of parents must pay out of pocket for therapy for their little ones. I feel for them, deeply, because I realize that many families make choices, and sometimes sacrifices, to do this. It is personal, because I truly love these kids. I know the differences made in their lives, and their family’s lives, because of  the child’s enhanced ability to communicate learned in therapy sessions.

When did we decide, as a society, that therapy for children with autism, Down syndrome, and pervasive developmental delay is not medically necessary? Very recently, many insurance policies, at least in Texas, have made policy changes that only allow coverage for speech and language therapy to be “rehabilitative” in nature. In other words, child must have a documented injury and then they are covered for treatment. This leaves out the majority of kids who need treatment! Autism is more common than childhood cancer, cystic fibrosis, and multiple sclerosis combined.  The problem is five times as common as Down syndrome and three times as common as juvenile diabetes. Today one out of every 150 children is diagnosed with autism.  Even the Centers for Disease Control (2006) state: “With intensive, structured, early intervention stressing language and interaction, many children with autism are able to successfully enter into regular classrooms, often as early as kindergarten or first grade. Of those who are not mainstreamed by first grade, many can be mainstreamed later and can go on to lead self-supporting, highly productive lives.  In all cases, however, early focused intervention is the one sure key to improving the prospects for these children.”

Research shows, and I have seen firsthand in my therapy sessions, that children with language delays can, and do acquire language skills, if behavior allows them to participate, with regular therapy sessions. My clients paying out of pocket are paying an average of $800.00 per month, or  over $9,000.00 per year to receive treatment. For many people, this is out of reach financially. I am hoping to help families with this blog and with the upcoming publication of my series “The StoryBook Changes!”. WWW.TheStoryBookChanges.com

I welcome comments or suggestions for the blog.

Entry Filed under: General