Eye gaze communication aids

[onanightlikethis]

anyone got one? If so which one and how was it funded?

Is your child statemented?
If so, the LEA will be legally obliged to as communication an educational need (depite appearing illegally on most statements under 'non educational needs'.

I know a fair bit about this and can try and help.

No moondog I'm a SALT ;) the child I'm thinking of probably won't be statemented as will be going to mainstream.
It's a close call between dynavox and liberator....

I am staggered that a child with this level of need wouldn't have a statement.
They should have.

In my LEA all pupils who require a communication aid are statemented as having a communication difficulty as LEA will not fund one without statement (legally binding!). The child must also be accessed at an independent AAC Centre (like ACE Centre) and the recommendations go in writing to the LEA.
The LEA's will only fund eye-gaze if child cannot scan using a switch/switches (cost!). I know of just one child who has had eye-gaze funded by LEA for mainstream - good luck!!

Mini-moan

Well. It's unlikely that she will get one. This authority only statement for special provision. Eg special school, unit. I have other children with equally staggering needs in mainstream- most well supported by their chosen school. The proposed school here will apply for funding to support this child. . Staements no longer come with guaranteed funding here.

Mini moan- there are others in area who have eye gaze funded by LEA jointly with health. Theses kids did have. statement as they were in special ed provision when they got the aid. They are now in mainstream. Policies have changed now. I'm gearing up for a massive fight! There is no way this child could use a switch. On trial of device, child could accurately scan 45 square location grid to build simple sentences. child in question is not yet 4. I have it all on video!

I'm an s/lt too with an intimate knowledge of the legalities of statements and what you state re your LEA is outrageous. Needing eye gaze technology counts as special provision.
I don't want too say too much as it is not appropriate to discuss individual cases here but this has not been an issue at all with our LEA who are fantastic and who are aware of thier legal responsibilities.

An appropriate communication aid will pay for itself many times over as has been the case for the children I support. For a start they get on with thier lives with minimal inteference from a stream of well meaning but ineffectual and ultimately ineffective professionals.
I work closely with Liberator also who offer exemplary service.