Do you have an autistic child in your home? Improving the communication and intellectual development of your child should top the list of your priorities. Thankfully, many ways can help you get started. One of the best methods of achieving the above-mentioned objective is to get an iPad for your autistic child. Although an iPad can play a critical role in enhancing the growth and development of your autistic child, one needs to set a budget for it as some of them cost an arm and a leg. If you are a parent from a low-income family, you might not be able to afford one upfront. The good news is that there are some agencies and organizations that offer iPad grants for autism. Therefore, your autistic child might be able to get a free iPad seamlessly. In this article, we shall take a closer look at how iPad works for autistic children, how to get iPad grants for autism, and so on.
How iPad Works For Autistic Children
Unlike other kids, autistic children normally experience problems with verbal and non-verbal communication. Besides this, they always have issues whenever they want to move or express their feelings. If your kid is a victim of such circumstances, be certain that his growth and development might take longer than usual.
To avert this problem, most parents normally get much-needed help from caregivers and therapists. In most cases, these professionals usually offer hand-laminated picture cards to help the affected kids communicate and respond to certain feelings. With advancement of technology, devices such as iPads for kids have proved to be a lifesaver for autistic children.
Unlike other devices, the iPad for kids can help autistic kids to solve their communication problems. Here, it can create a voice for the voiceless autistic kids. Autistic kids that use the iPads are able to complete certain words and symbols so as to create a sentence.
Consequently, these kids are not only able to form words but also sentences that can be used to pass certain messages. If this continues for a while, the autistic kids will be more conversant in making different sentences and using them to communicate with those around them. Finally, this device comes with easy-to-use apps that your autistic kid can use and enjoy.
Importance Of iPads For Autistic Individuals
From verbal communication barriers to problems with social skills, there are tons of issues that autistic children face daily. However, with the advent of modern-day iPads, they can now be able to express their thoughts and feelings. Here are the various benefits that iPads can offer to autistic individuals:
1. Helps to improve their communication skills
It is no secret that Autistic children can encounter a myriad of problems when it comes to communication. Here, they are bound to encounter non-verbal and verbal communication problems. Such problems can make such children to live in a world of their own. This means that you might not see them expressing themselves in words.
However, with an iPad can be able to mitigate this problem as it can speak with a sound that will be able to trigger the attention of such kids. As a result, the will be able to improve their communication skills in the long run.
2. It is easy to customize
Just like a smartphone, the iPad can easily be customized the way one wants. Since this device can easily be customized to suit the needs of autistic children, be certain that it will be able to meet their health and physical demands.
3. Presence of learning and growing apps
The iPad is packed with a plethora of apps that are specifically meant for autistic children. Some of the apps that can help improve your autistic child’s learning and development include:
- Endless Reader
- Proloquo2Go
- Language Therapy for kids
- ABC Autism
- CommBoards
- Otsimo
4. It can work as an instructor
There are instances when the instructors and parents might not be with the autistic children. In this case, the iPad can double up as an instructor and a parent. To put this into perspective, the iPad can help such children to pass the time and also show them much-needed directions whenever they want something done.
Ways On How To Search For iPad Grants For Autism
If you are a parent who comes from a low-income household, you might not be able to afford to purchase the iPad right away. In this case, you might have to search for iPad grants for autism for your kid. Here are ways that can help you obtain an iPad grant for your autistic child:
- Search for free iPads for autism near you on search engines such as Google. Once you search for a free iPad, be certain that you will get an array of results on your screen. If you come across organizations that offer free iPads within your locality, you can visit their sites and learn more about how you can apply for an iPad grant for autism.
- If you have a relative or a friend who has an autistic child, consider seeking some recommendations from him or her. Here, the relative or friend might suggest some of the organizations or programs that offer iPad grants for autistic children.
- Besides the methods mentioned above, you can visit your local charity organization and ask them to provide you with a free iPad for your autistic child. Luckily, most of these organizations are always willing to help as long as you can prove that your kid is autistic.
- Visit a school that offers an iPad program for autistic children. Since the school’s authority knows that an iPad is vital for your autistic child, they will be willing to offer it to you so that your child can learn even from the comfort of his or her home.
Eligibility Requirements To Get iPad Grants For Autism
For you to be eligible to get an iPad grant, there are certain requirements that you must meet. Some of these requirements include:
- You must be a citizen of the U.S
- Your kid is disabled. In this case, autistic children are eligible to get an iPad grant.
- You must have a low income. Here, your income should not exceed the threshold that is set by your state’s Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Documents Needed To Apply For iPad Grants For Autism
The documents required to apply for iPad grants for children with autism will vary depending on the grant or funding opportunity. However, some common documents that may be required when applying for grants or funding include the following:
- Proof of diagnosis: Many grants or funding opportunities may require proof of a diagnosis of autism, such as a letter or report from a healthcare provider.
- Proof of income: Some grants or funding opportunities may have income requirements and will require proof of income, such as tax returns or pay stubs.
- Proof of residency: Some grants or funding opportunities may only be available to residents of certain states and may require proof of residency.
- Other documents: Other documents that may be required when applying for iPad grants or funding opportunities include a personal statement or essay explaining the need for an iPad, letters of recommendation, and any other supporting documentation that may be requested by the grant or funding organization.
It’s important to carefully review the application requirements for any grant or funding opportunity you are considering to ensure that you have all of the necessary documents. It may also be helpful to contact the organization offering the grant or funding opportunity to ask questions or clarify any details.
How To Get iPad Grants For Autism
There are certain organizations that offer iPad grants for autism within the United States. Some of these organizations include:
1. ASDF
To start with, the above-mentioned national organization stands for Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation. It is one of the reputable organizations that not only understands the needs of autistic children but also offers much-needed programs to support their growth and development.
If you have an autistic child, chances are that this organization will help you purchase an iPad for your kid. To learn more about iPad grants from this organization, visit its website, and you will be good to go.
2. Friends of Man
This is a non-profit organization that is based in Colorado and offers assistance to kids and adults suffering from autism. Here, you might be able to get an iPad grant for your autistic child. All you need to do is to visit this organization’s website and learn more. Since they offer their services to other states other than Colorado, be certain that they might be available in your location as well.
3. Danny’s Wish Foundation
The above-mentioned foundation is one of the eminent organizations that offer free iPads to low-income families that have autistic kids. Therefore, you do not have to strain your budget if you cannot afford to purchase an iPad for your autistic child.
You just need to visit this foundation’s official website and make your application right away. More importantly, ensure that you apply for an iPad grant between September to December so that you can maximize your chances of getting getting one for your kid.
4. Different Needz Foundation
Besides the originations mentioned above, you can now get a free iPad from the Different Needz Foundation. This can go a long way in enhancing the growth and development of your autistic child. To get started, visit this foundation’s official website and check out their current program.
5. Autism Care and Treatment
This is another reputable organization that offers an avalanche of resources that can help mitigate the effects of autism. For instance, this organization offers iPad grants for autism to low-income families that live in the United States.
As far as the iPad grants are concerned, be certain that you can get amounts ranging from $100 to $5000.To be on the safe side, consider checking this organization’s ongoing programs by checking its official website from time to time.
6. Babies with iPad
If you have a specially-abled child at home that needs an iPad for growth and development, consider applying for a grant from Babies with iPad. Unlike other organizations, this one offers free iPads to kids between 6 months to 8 years. Therefore, if you have a kid with autism, he or she stands a chance to benefit from the iPad grant from this organization.
7. Small steps in speech
This is another organization that offers iPad grants for autism to the affected kids living in the United States. Therefore, if you are grappling with purchasing an iPad for your autistic child, worry not as you can get a free model from this organization.
8. June Jesse Foundation
Apart from the organizations we have discussed above, you can also get an iPad grant for autism from June Jesse Foundation. Once you apply for an iPad grant from this organization, be certain that you will get up to $3000.However, you can only get this grant in St. Louise Children’s Hospital Network. To learn more about this foundation, visit its website now and get started.
9. First Hand Foundation
When it comes to supporting autistic children, First Hand Foundation does not disappoint. This can be attributed to the fact that of offers grants to parents who want an iPad for their autistic children. Once you apply for a grant from this organization, trust that you will get up to $2000.With this grant, you will not miss an iPad that suits your autistic child at home.
Other Legitimate Ways To Get Ipad Grants For Autism
Besides the organizations that we have mentioned above, there are other legitimate ways on how to get an iPad grant for Autism. Some of these ways include:
1. Contact your insurance company
As we speak, we have several insurance companies that offer coverage for durable medical equipment. When it comes to durable medical equipment aid, be sure that it can cover your child’s iPad. However, you need to ask if your insurance company is able to offer this coverage or not.
As long as you are willing to prove that your child is autistic and your insurance company offers durable medical equipment aid, be certain that you will be able to get a grant to purchase an iPad for your autistic kid at home.
2. Seek help from school
Some schools offer iPad programs for children who suffer from autism. Therefore, you can make inquiries about whether your school offers free iPads to such kids or not. In case your school of choice offers a free iPad for physically challenged children, you can let the authorities of the school know that you have an autistic child and home and that you need an iPad as part of his or her learning tool. The school might be willing to arrange how you will get an iPad for your autistic child.
3. Seek help from local charity organizations
Currently, there are local charity organizations that offer assistance programs to low-income families. From food assistance to housing assistance, there are many programs that these local charities offer to the needy. If you have an autistic child at home, you can reach out to such an organization within your region and ask them to help you purchase an iPad for your child. As long as you can prove that your kid is autistic, you will be able to get the much-needed financial assistance to purchase an iPad for your kid at home.