I'm still here. I had rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder May 9th. I am just now being able to type with both hands. If it wasn't for the Autism Bill, I wouldn't be able to have the surgery. I was able to increase the ABA help to include after school as well as before school. So, this way, Noah had an adult with him while he was awake. We had to be so careful with him and my arm. He still sometimes grabs my right hand to show me what he wants and it hurts!
I am still sleeping in the recliner and Noah is finally used to it. He always climbs into bed with me to snuggle when he first wakes up. For the first couple of weeks he just came into my room and looked lost. I finally had one of the girls climb into my bed with Noah to give him the affection he needed so badly.
Our Occupational Therapist has left. She quit the agency she was with and decided to be an independent provider for First Steps. We will greatly miss her. She was outstanding with the boys and taught the ABA people many helpful tips. We still don't have a new OT. I hope it doesn't take long to fill the position.
I had an interview a few weeks ago with Action For Autism. They are a non-profit agency that provides financial aid to families with kids with autism. I asked for help with the co-pays for ABA ($480/week) and to send Nate to camp ($325). I am hoping to hear from them soon. I told them that even though the co-pays could break us, I can't stop the ABA. The gains the boys have made are too great. Thank God I don't pay co-pays for Speech and OT.
I am still waiting to hear from the Department of Mental Health for funding for Noah. Unfortunately, Tim and I just make "too much money". I still have to apply for Medicaid for Noah, just to be turned down. We've been put on the "waiting list".
I don't understand how parents with 3 kids with autism "make too much money". Does anyone have any idea what we pay out in doctors, medications, and therapies a year? I don't want to know. I think that if I figured it all out, it would make me sick. I know that I put the maximum amount allowed in my Flex Account and it never lasts a calendar year. Poor Tim, he'll never get to quit that second job........
