Insurance and Medical Care

The family receives SSI (Social Security Income) for Tony. The EI team led the family through the eligibility and application process to secure the SSI income funds. Tony also receives Medicaid from the District of Columbia, which is contracted to an MCO (Managed Care Organization). Benefits for “durable medical equipment” (DME) are limited.

The MCO which provides coverage for persons in Tony’s neighborhood seemed to have little understanding of the needs of children with CP. He has a regular pediatrician and a physiatrist at the Children’s Hospital, both of whom communicated regularly with the therapists involved in Tony’s care. The doctors most recently have recommended botox injections to address the tightness in his calves and adductors.

Intervention Treatment:
Early Intervention – Prior to coming to Public School

In addition to the classroom activities, he had received 2x/ week PT, OT and SLP twice a week. He was also seen by the school psychologist. He did have a cognitive evaluation (conducted as a non-motor-dependent test) when he was 2.5 years old, which showed he was at low end of normal for a child his age. Some of the team members felt these results were an underestimate of his cognitive abilities because of his limited motor skills.