To Whom This May Concern:
I am the mother of Jason Watts. Jason is a level two on the Autism Spectrum. He also has been also diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia of Speech. He has been receiving Early Intervention services through the state of Illinois and was recommended to have an AAC evaluation to help Jason better communicate. He was evaluated and recommended for an AAC Device (Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is a specific type of assistive technology that can benefit people with autism of all ages by promoting independence, expanding communication, and increasing social interactions.) Basically a tablet device that will speak for Jason, communicating his needs, wants, and desires, while establishing the same motor pathway of speech resulting in a higher rate of becoming verbal. The paper work was submitted before the coronavirus impacted the United States.
Today, I was notified that my son’s AAC Device cannot be guaranteed as a covered assistive technology tool by the Illinois Early Intervention Program due to the impact of the coronavirus. I was only notified of this, when I personally took the time to contact my son’s service coordinator. The pandemic of the corona virus has impacted us all globally. We are “social distancing” as advised by our President and “sheltering in place” as ordered by our Governor. However, the weight of this pandemic should not be rested on the shoulders of the special needs children of America. Assistive technology tools better help the quality and trajectory of a qualifying individual’s life. We have been told that Jason meets the criteria for his assistive technology to be a covered service through Illinois Early Intervention Program.
The reasoning that they gave us for it not being a guaranteed coverage is, “It has to be delivered face to face so we can teach you guys how to work it.” If I can become a homeschooling teacher and online student overnight, why can we not find some sort of alternate means to help these special needs children? There should be an extension on the time line of assistive technology coverage due to those impacted by the coronavirus or some sort of tele-therapy/ device delivery offered during these unparalleled times.
My husband is a 90% disabled veteran who fought for our country in Afghanistan and now is working as an essential employee welding and repairing Ethanol factories used to produce fuel to help keep America going through these hard times. We are doing are part to keep America safe and going. The state of Illinois and The United States of America should be doing its part for the special needs children impacted by the unprecedented impacts of covid-19.
I will be sending this letter to Governor Pritzker, Senator Dick Durbin, Senator Tammy Duckworth, and President Trump.

Thank You,
Rebecca Watts