Kim's Interview

Interviewee: Joyce Kling (my mom and she works in Tewksbury Public School System)

Is this a problem you think is important?  Why/ Why not?

“Yes, because medication alone is very expensive.”

 Do you think others in our community this is an important problem? why/ why not?

“Yes, a lot have medication and medical needs for their children.”

 What policy, if any, does government now have to deal with this problem?

“I think that they should have a child put into a hospital to be re-evaluated to see if they have more behavioral or mental problems.”

 What are advantages of this policy?

“Parents who are struggling will get help financially and support medical needs.”

 What are disadvantages of this policy?

“Refusing the policies for your child in need.”

 How might the policy be improved?

“Being able to get help brought into the home for the child that has the insurance will cover it”

 Does the policy need to be replaced?  why?

“Yes, I think insurance companies need to give a little more. Family’s need help!”

 What disagreements, if any, about the policy exist in this community?

“Yes, there is more to help needing which includes, physical, speech, and occupational therapy that these children need.”

 Do you feel children are being diagnosed with autism too easily?

“I feel they are considering ADHD has come close to the systems as low spectrum high functional Asperger’s.”

 How do you feel a school system should approach children with autism?

“I feel they should have an aide with them to help explain so anxiety for them does not set in with some modifications. Try to keep them busy with a lot of socialization.”

 If the new definition of autism restructures that some children fall out of the spectrum, how do you think the school should handle this situation?

“These children still have these weaknesses and I think their services that they get for their IEP should continue, so they don’t struggle through school.”

After interviewing my mom and discussing these questions it brought up a huge situation that we are facing right now. My nephew is eight years old and the school system is saying that he has ADHD and autism. As the school recommended, my brother brought my nephew to his primary care doctor and she could see where they got the ADHD from but couldn’t see the autism. His primary care doctor recommended bringing my nephew to Boston to get some testing done. Ryan did not want to cooperate and rushed through the test so he could just come home, as for now the doctors from Boston wants to see him back in six months to see where he stands. My mother’s nephew, which is my cousin, was diagnosed with Asperger’s.  His mom is struggling so badly with him and doesn’t want anyone to help. When I was interviewing my mom she brought up a good point about home care. Insurance companies should do a home visit to check in with these children and parents. This would be a great support system for parents and the child.