The money. OUCH, this is a sore subject!
First of all, I know this is a sore, sore subject. The MONEY is always the BIG issue in a home program. You know I understand how hard this is. We have gone through the financial bleeding for over eight years. Some in the know might say, yes, but insurance paid for yours. But insurance only paid half. Our program costs us about 100 thousand dollars a year. We have to come up with 50 thou at least (and right now as of writing, we have to come up with all of it because we are in our third battle with insurance). I`m having to work a TON in our efforts to keep our nose above water. I only write this because I want you to know. I UNDERSTAND. We rent our home because of all this. I UNDERSTAND, dear friend.
Here is what I want to say to you on this now. Don`t lie to yourself. Far too often I watch parents go with this or that consultant because "insurance" will pay or "the school" will pay. This is fabulous. BUT it does not mean you have the best consultant for your child. It means you have what can be paid for. The best BCBA`s I know are very concerned about quality control in their own field. They know they have uncertified people who are outstanding (they`d like to get them certified). And they know they have certified people who are not outstanding to say the least. They agonize over this.
So, dear parent, you HAVE to be involved. If you cannot afford a home program (and be sure that is true. I`m talking about sacrificially provide. What are your willing to give up? ), only your involvement in your child`s program will insure he his treatment has a chance to be more than adequate.
You have many hard decisions to make. Make sure you are being honest with yourself. If you are married, you both have to shoot straight. What can you afford? Really? Are you getting upset about this? I don`t blame you, it`s a very very tough subject, only suitable for parent to parent. I want the best for your child. My best to you as you make difficult decisions.
My heart is with you,
Katherine Lee