Variety KC serves every type of physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities. We work with all area hospitals and rehabilitation facilities. Through these partners, we’ve met so many amazing therapists and appreciate their efforts to advocate and request equipment for the kids they treat need. Here’s an example of a caring therapist who has identified a device to truly impact the life of her patient and their family.
“Ivery is a non–verbal 2–year old boy with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 3 and Global Developmental Delay. He was also diagnosed with an expressive/receptive language delay with sensory processing concerns. He receives intervention from Missouri First Steps for the following: ABA 2 times per week for 90 minutes and OT 2 times per month for 60 minutes.
Ivery often seeks input for sensory regulation and struggles to engage. He has made great improvement in this. Past behaviors included limited sleep, banging his head, rocking, self-injurious tantrums, and lack of engagement/eye contact. He will now come to his family, to therapists, show interest in new activities and toys, use minimal communication, sit to “work in therapy and with his mom, and more. He loves movies and will imitate these. He has many of the prerequisite skills necessary communication for a communication device. Ivery can easily navigate to what he wants on a phone or other devices, swipe to change screens, and can find apps or other items he wants even when they have been moved. This is one reason that an iPad, paired with communication software, will likely be easier and more motivating for Ivery to leam more effective communication. Giving him a voice and his family a way to communicate effectively and meet his wants and needs appropriately would be a huge gift. Ivery also has a diagnosis of Global Developmental Delay with language impairment. All of these diagnoses create barriers for communication, which is the most challenging and difficult piece for his family. The lack of language creates frustration for Ivery, which results in behaviors that can also be difficult for Ivery and his family. The possibility of Ivery receiving an iPad with TouchChat Word Power software could potentially have a huge overall impact for his ability to communicate. The ability to communicate would, obviously, have an enormous and lifelong impact on Ivery, his family and Ivery’s future.”
Please help Variety KC’s efforts to support area healthcare professionals – they do such amazing things for kids with special needs. Donate today at
