On a side note we would like to thank everyone for the outpour of generosity on Mason's behalf. We are so grateful for the support and love shared by so many. The correspondence has brought up a lot of questions that we will do our best to answer.
Q: Why couldn't we stay in Las Vegas and allow Mason to receive services there?
A: In Nevada, when a child with special needs turns 3, they enter the school district. Certain schools offer the autism preschool which is a full day program with teachers who are not necessarily qualified. To make matters worse, recently two teachers were arrested for mistreating children with autism, one teacher being at the school Mason would have attended. Besides the school district, even with unlimited financial resources the private therapy is nowhere to be found in Las Vegas.
Q: Why can't we get our insurance to cover the therapy?
A: No insurance company will cover a mental illness, especially autism.
Q: What does the school district offer in Oregon?
A: The school district in Oregon is ranked high in education, especially the special needs program. Mason will attend a preschool offered by the school district beginning this fall. The teacher in the classroom is very qualified and has years of experience with children with special needs. The preschool is two days a week for two hours a day, with both sensory and speech therapy within the two hours. Once the school district feels Mason is ready to attend a community preschool, they will attend with him until he is able to be independent. This is a free service.
Q: Why do we have Mason in other programs besides what the school district offers?
A: Although the preschool offered by the school district is wonderful, he needs one on one therapy. The preschool will be great for Mason to learn how to interact with other children and prepare for a typical elementary school. But the private services Mason is receiving are tailored to Mason's needs on an individual basis. Although its expensive, the hours Mason is receiving are critical to his progress.
Q: How do we know the money being spent is worth it?
A: We wish you could see Mason. We can't believe all he has accomplished in the past 5 months. Words can't describe what the private therapy is doing for Mason. Knowing this, we can't pull him out of it!! The more therapy he gets now the less he will need later. If we can get him ready to mainstream into kindergarten, we will be able to decrease if not eliminate therapy!
Everything Mason does is a celebration, even down to the simplest things!
4 comments:
You guys are wonderful parents!!!!!
Hi guys, its the Mcferrins! We are so happy to see you doing good, and it is so awesome that Mason is doing good in his private therapy up there! You guys are always in our thoughts and prayers. Please send me your email, we are wanting to help out in any way. Jon wants to do a run for Mason so we just want to get some info from you. ajmcferrin@hotmail.com talk to you soon!
Hi. I just read your beautiful blog about Mason. It was written with so much love, I could feel it. Love, Jody Liberatore Pearch in New Phila Ohio, Uncle Eugene's (Libby) daughter.
I am so happy Mason is doing so well! He is such a smart little boy! You are exactly where you are supposed to be to give Mason what he needs. Mason is lucky to have such amazing parents!!
We love you!
Krista
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