Spec Ed Director and supervisor trying to undermine my AAC knowledge - tell me I’m not crazy!
I’m a school-based SLP, and I have been trialing LAMP WFL on an iPad this year with a preschooler who has done amazing with it given the vocab builder. I didn’t really trial other vocabularies per se but sort of ruled out TD Snap Core and Proloquo2Go in my head based on other students who have these programs - I liked LAMP better for this student, and he took to it so quickly. I like the consistency and motor planning aspect of LAMP. I had PRC come out to trial some DME devices with my student (and again he did amazingly), but unfortunately parents‘ insurance is not covering 100%. I provided parents with all the info re: DME versus purchasing the app on an iPad and am waiting to hear back. Well in relaying all of this to the director and my preschool supervisor at our meeting, the supervisor is talking over me saying how expensive and ridiculous it is that this company is charging so much when they can just get the app, blah blah blah. She’s looking up random SGD costs on the spot and saying it could be as much as 15k. I later was able to get my word in about it being more like 6,000 but with a 10% coinsurance. I’m trying to explain the benefits of DME versus an iPad but I feel like they thought I was insane. I know the iPad with app can be a great option, and I presented both options to the parents without saying my personal preference since it’s their decision on cost, but am I crazy in my opinion that DME would just be better if it‘s possible? I mean wouldn’t we always prefer that even just to distinguish it as the dedicated speech device? I just feel really undermined, especially when I‘ve been working really hard with this student and this process, I have done so much freaking research, and it is my first time attempting to fund through insurance in the schools. Previously the district bought the app on a district iPad and the student couldn’t take it home. Also then Spec Ed director is like well on an iPad they have other communication apps too… and I’m like well that’s why we have trialed LAMP for months in therapy and in the classroom! I am 100% sure this will benefit him and already has! Ugh just frustrated. Thanks for reading my rant haha.