Re: any recommendations for a good, home-use FM system?

October 25, 2004

,

Given your son's young age, I would argue with the school that home use was

needed. Language is aquired all day, all the time. And he is just a little

sponge for information. Parents here have lobbied and won home use. So, anyone

out there willing to share some letters or techniques?

Our son has FMs at school, but we've never seen a need for using it at home.

Ian lost his hearing post-linguially so he did not need it here. Plus he

doesn't play any team sports. So, I've never requested home use ... but it can

be done. Don't be shy about asking for it.

That said, I have never heard about an FM that is cheap and functions like

the " good " ones used in school. Ian has Phonak boots that clip to his aids. He

has Phonak aids, so compatability was never an issue. They have been little

workhorses for him, sturdy and reliable. Occassionally the boots have the

little plastic grip replaced and the microphone's antenae gets kinked and needs

replacing 2, maximum 3 times a year. But that's it.

Best -- Jill

October 25, 2004

Re: getting the FM at home: I tied it into goals already written into my

son's IEP. For example, he was working towards mainstreaming, they told me

he needed to improve his vocabulary for that, I stated that the FM would

allow us to work on vocabulary in the car, grocery store, post office, etc.

I also agreed to sign a waiver saying I would be responsible for the FM when

it was in my possession. It helped that we got a new SPED director that

year, and that she wasn't enmeshed in " how we always do things " and was

willing to have a reasonable discussion. Up to that point, even the

secretary had said " we never let the FM go home; you might as well stop

fighting it " .

I kept trying to get it into the IEP, but once I tied it into goals ALREADY

in the IEP, I had a much stronger case. I wish you luck...

Stefanie

mom to Ben, 6, severe to profound HOH, and Isabella, 9, mild loss, unaided

October 28, 2004

There has been a lot of talk lately about getting an FM for home, and those who

school districts will not allow them to take one home.

I have to confess some forgotten knowledge but know someone on this list will be

able to fill in the details. We have had the use of the logicom at home since

the girls got it, almost four years ago. My school audiologist is the one who

told me we had the right to request it. Here is where I am cloudy now..but

somewhere in the 504 it states something about..if the FM would allow the child

more access to learning outside of school, participating in the community etc,

the school must provide that access. I know that is not exactly how it is

written, but again someone on the list will know exactly where and what.

The girls system is set on the same number, and I have the mic..so we have used

it when they played softball this summer, and now during cheer-leading. I sign

a 12 month waiver, so I have it all year and sign another waiver when school

starts the following year.

I wish you all the best...hope this helps just a little..and will be filled in

with the proper terms.

Clarion 8/99

Holly Clarion 12/99

October 28, 2004