When having children with autism, families are up against not just the child, but the expenses of trying to figure out what the child needs and how to care for them. Since each individual is unique in their needs and abilities, costs vary with each family. While we know we are not able to help everyone, Brayden’s Gift would like to help who we can.

Our organization would like to help families financially by hearing from the family and understanding their needs.

Examples of Resources and Costs

Tuition to attend Amarillo ABA Clinic: $60,000

If your family does not carry the insurance to help cover some or all the costs, the tuition is out of pocket. Kids are being turned away due to lack of funding from the family.

Some children may not be ready to attend a public school. While there are some schools that have staff that are trained in working with special needs as a whole, it may not be enough for what kids with autism need. Amarillo ABA Clinic has specialists who specialize in autism and can give these kids 1 on 1 attention to build their skills can make a big impact on the child’s progress. This clinic hires specialists that understand specific needs and behaviors. The behavior specialists at Amarillo ABA Clinic are Registered Behavior Technicians (RBT) or Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA). To be a BCBA you must have your credentials that include a master’s degree in the field, get supervision, and pass a board exam.

The specialists at Amarillo ABA Clinic work on the child’s fine motor skills where the child learns to use smaller muscles in their hands, fingers, and wrists such as holding a pencil, tracing a line with their finger or buttoning their pants. The specialists will also work on our kids’ gross motor skills that involve the whole body. This could include sitting for a period of time, walking, lifting (a toothbrush for example), and standing. The specialists will advance their plan when the child is ready.

Routines for autistic children play a big part in their progress. The specialists are trained and help us as parents set our child up on a specific routine that can be incorporated at home like what they have our child set up on at the clinic. This routine can include everyday tasks such as using the potty, making the bed, eating with utensils, brushing their teeth, and dressing themselves.

Eating is sometimes a challenge with autistic kids, because textures play a role, sensory issues might occur, and learning to eat foods that serve their body is hard to feed them. The behavior specialists at Amarillo ABA Clinic are trained on how to help our kids eat.

A big help that Amarillo ABA Clinic offers is their assistance outside of their clinic. They will come in home to show parents how to work with our kids and set up a routine so that we can all be on the same page. They have also went to our church to work with the teachers and myself to allow our kids to be in group situations and learn to sit for a period of time.
These are just some of the ways Amarillo ABA Clinic could be a game changer for your child.

IPad Mini: $399.99+Screen Protector (Otter Box, heavy duty): $69.99 + Proloquo2Go (Speech Program): $249.99 = $719.87

Children that are non-verbal will use IPads for speech. Sometimes if children are echoic or if their language is not strong enough will also require an IPad. A speech program called Proloquo2Go is also required and downloaded onto the iPad. This specific speech program is “fully customizable and can be utilized to build language skills and grow with a person’s communication, supporting both beginning and advanced communicators.” (Proloquo2Go app) This program on the iPad has a voice that will speak when the child has something to say. The specialists at Amarillo ABA Clinic have taught our children to put sentences together to request what they want or need, such as needing to use the bathroom or wanting a drink of water. This program allows the child to express emotions like being happy or sad. The program will help teach them manners like using please and thank you. The alphabet, numbers and weather are on the program when the child is ready to incorporate as part of their learning. Backup iPads are necessary in the event 1 is damaged, lost or stops working.

Travel

The means necessary to get your child to and from the clinic.

Child Care

Finding people that are qualified to look after our children with autism is not easy.

Supplies

There are certain supplies our kids with autism require to function outside of school, or the clinic.

• Diapers/Pull-ups: While we are in the process of completing potty training for Brayden, he wears pull ups through the night. If a child is not potty trained at all, they would require diapers and wipes to get through the day.
• Tasks: If we go to public setting, our kids can take tasks needed in case they need to be redirected in some way. Since it is considered a new environment when we go outside the home, coping is a skill that is lacked. With the right tools, we can calm our kids down when tantrums arise, or the child is in a high stressed environment, aka public places.
• Weighted Blankets: these special blankets are helpful for our kids while they sleep
• Weighted Vests or Compression Clothing: Soothes kids with sensory issues
• Headphones: Soothes kids with sensory issues

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