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I had a similar experience here in NJ with the same piece of equipment; however I was called by the family after they had seen the My Tobii with the vendor but before it was purchased. Although they said also that they were going to get it no matter what. I was asked just come to see the client and write the justification. I explained to them that if I came to do an eval then we would look at all the options available and we would then determine the best AAC system. They were not really aware of other options I found out as I talked to them. The vendor was also informed of this. I also tried to explain the funding process and why I could not just write up something. I think in this case you are right that the family probably got caught up with the immediacy of the need. I can see the vendor wanting to “sell” the system but I know that most of our vendors are aware of the procedures of funding and I would be surprised that the family would not have been told. However, sometimes families get caught up and indicate that they will buy it no matter what and then the vendor just goes ahead and executes the order on that assumption. After the family has time to think most do feel that they want to try to get reimbursed. I agree with you that the rental option is quite positive, and of course your loan equipment service is excellent. M aye we need a 3 day waiting/rescinding period before ordering like for car, mortgages etc. Perhaps vendors should be required to provide something in writing to the family on the funding process before any final order is executed especially if they say they are going to pay for it out of pocket. I know as part of my assessment funding is discussed at length. It often takes up a large portion of my after eval work. I have often had families change there minds on how to fund items. I think one of our problems here is that when people contact the company after seeing the system on the internet or in a magazine they are given the vendor name since I don’t know too many of us that have a My Tobii. So they get referred to the vendor rather than for an assessment. My issue is that with the vendor they only see one type or even make of an item. Sometimes families think that’s all that’s out there and they don’t have someone to think them through issues of portability, care, technical service, reliability. The client that I saw actually ended up with a different solution. I personally have let vendors know that I will work with them but only as part of an assessment looking at all options.
Travis M. Tallman CCC-SLP:ATP Director of Augmentative and Computer Services Lakeview/Cerebral Palsy Association of Middlesex County 732-549-5580 x170 732-494-6235 Fax From:
xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Alisa Brownlee
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