IM is covered by insurance if your child qualifies for occupational or speech therapy. The Capper Foundation here in Topeka, Kansas, has occupational therapists that are IM certified. Please check them out if you have a child with a significant diagnosis.
I am an educator with a special education/early childhood background. The child I typically see is the child that falls through the cracks. The medical field knows IM works for learning struggles as is evidenced by its growing popularity for the special needs child as well as stroke and traumatic brain injury patients. In 2003, Kansas had 3 IM providers; today, 2008, nearly 40. Most of them serve the insurance covered population. The sad fact is that a huge number of our children could benefit from IM, but don't qualify for insurance coverage. I am here for that parent and child.
The average parent would be challenged to afford the cost of IM through an OT with out insurance. That challenge is significantly reduced by offering IM in groups, while still individualizing tasks for students. Most children over 8 yrs old and in a regular classroom setting can do IM in groups. The students often enjoy the camaraderie of others working along side them. I also offer parent/child teams for the child with more severe needs or the younger child. My goal is to make IM affordable to the masses of those who don't qualify for insurance. Through group mode training, costs can be cut in half or more. Some flexible spending plans are now beginning to cover IM too. Most parents find IM very affordable with three small monthly payments.
