- Inclusion and Belonging
- Augmentative Communication Training Series
- Diapers
Image courtesy Eric Carter
The I-Team Early Intervention team spent last week at the International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute in Chapel Hill. I was able to meet the father of routines-based intervention himself: Robin McWilliam. (I refrained from asking for an autograph!)
We received many resources to support our work in Vermont (see some below). We talked a lot about inclusion and belonging and how they are different. Inclusion is something done to a child and a sense of belonging is how that child feels. I love this distinction. Fostering a sense of belonging in our kids may be the most important part of our work.
What can you do today to support one child to feel this sense of belonging?
International Early Childhood
Inclusion Institute Resources
1) Listening to Robin McWilliam speak about developing strategies with caregivers to promote collaborative inclusion reminds me of his excellent guideto routines-based intervention.
2) Thinking about how to foster belonging in all of our children leads me to Erik Carter’s work.
3) The Inclusion Lab is a handy app that supports ongoing decision-making to select, implement, and evaluate highly individualized practices that are matched to a child’s individual learning characteristics and effective in supporting their learning.
4) STEMIE has developed a model for high-quality inclusion of young children with disabilities in STEM and other learning. This website is full of resources for considering inclusion in many settings.
5) The Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center offers many resources for improving systems, practices and outcomes. The Indicators of High-Quality Inclusion are especially helpful.
We will share more as we sift through all the great resources that were shared at this institute.
Medicaid Subsidized Prescription Diapers
There is some confusion in the community about who is eligible for Medicaid subsidized prescription diapers. Here is updated eligiblity info:
Who is eligible?: For any person to be eligible for prescription incontinence products, they need to “have a diagnosis of an underlying medical condition that involves loss of bladder or bowel control.” The Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA) keeps a list of eligible diagnoses. As of 5/15/24, that list included diagnoses of cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, and a wide variety of congenital gastrointestinal, urologic, and metabolic conditions.
How Many Do They Get? Since continence is not typically expected for most children in the birth to three population, the subsidy has certain conditions in this age group. DVHA guidelines say, “the family is responsible for providing a child with the first 150 disposable incontinence products per month. The DVHA may pay up to 150 units per month when clinically indicated and medically necessary”. So this means that if a family reports that they are using 300 or more diapers per month, they can get up to 150 diapers covered.
What Can Families Get? The products offered are diapers, briefs (pull-ups/pull-ons), disposable under pads (Chuxs), and liners. Chux may be a helpful addition for some families whose child has severe night wetting or g-tube leaking.
How Do They Get The Diapers? Diaper prescriptions used to be filled by local pharmacies. VT Medicaid now contracts with ActivStyle to fill all incontinence supply prescriptions. Families can enroll with ActivStyle themselves, and work with VT Medicaid and the child’s PCP to fill the prescription. They will also send sample products. Caregivers should also speak to a representative from their child’s primary care office to make sure they share the same understanding of the child’s eligibility and diagnoses. Families should know that the products will not be their preferred brands. Some families have appealed to get a different brand if they could demonstrate that the child was having an adverse reaction (rashes, etc.) to a provided product.
DVHA does update their guidelines periodically. Prior to sharing information with a family, always check the DHVA Incontinence Supplies information page, and follow their link to the DVHA Durable Medical Equipment webpage for the most up to date Incontinence Supplies bulletin.
