Language update
Well Damien has been diagnosed with a “Language Disorder”, rather than a “Language Delay”. A language delay will go away with time, however, a language disorder is there forever. On the plus side we know what we are dealing with and while language will always be difficult for Damien, he would still be able to graduate from college, some aspects will just be more difficult for him.
If you think about language as a brick wall, most people use various bricks to build the wall they need at the moment. Damien is having a hard time seeing the bricks in the wall, he just sees walls, so he tends to build prefabricated walls.
The way to help Damien is Speech Therapy, which will help give him a wider range of prefabricated walls to use, as well as special tools for Damien to begin building his own walls.
Originally our insurance was not going to cover the the Speech Therapy, because even though Damien was diagnosed with a Language Disorder, the insurance company classified it as a Language Delay, which they don’t cover.
Well Olya kept after the Insurance company, and no we have the go ahead for 40 sessions next year. Our doctor is suspicious though, so she has scheduled only three of them so far, and they take place every other week, just in case the insurance company changes their mind on covering it, at least we won’t be out too much money.
I am just happy that Damien is getting closer to getting more assistance that aid him in communicating with his peers and brothers.
Shannon said,
December 24th, 2009 at 7:32 am
I really hope this helps him!
Orliyah said,
December 24th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Good thing Olya stayed strong and demanded services to be covered by the insurance. As for Damien, I know he’ll succeed. He has already started communicating so much more than before.
Bill- I love the use of the “fabricated walls” metaphor. Can I steal that when counseling clients?? It helps make sense of it all.
Can’t wait to see you all tomorrow.
Bill the Anoying said,
December 24th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Use away.
Gramps said,
December 24th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
I assume the Doctor is suspicious of the insurance coverage and not the
therapy. When I was in Grad school I had an opportunity meet a few speech therapists
and they seemed very well trained and were experts at picking up subtle clues that led their
choices of treatment and remedies. Since Damien is young he has excellent chances of great improvements. I know you guys will keep him headed in the right directions and I hope all goes well.
I see the Senate passed their part of the Health Bill and I hope this means better coverage
of existing conditions in the future for Damien and all Americans
Karen said,
January 20th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
I was happy to have several conversations with Damien while I was there this time, so there is progress.