Supplies

Let's talk supplies.  I use Unique Learning Systems or ULS for Logan's school work.  When I purchased it, they didn't have access to what they call idoc (interactive document; where you can interact by drag/drop or typing in answers) so I had to print out all the work.  I couldn't afford to go the extra mile and purchase a new laptop so I could then purchase the other software that they used to make it interactive for their smartboard or laptops.  I purchased a black and white (HP LaserJet P1102) printer from Amazon after I spent a small fortune for ink cartridges for my color/black white HP printer.  You can get their toner cartridges cheap on Amazon and I bought them in the four pack so it would last me a couple of months.

Paper is purchased wherever I can find it the cheapest (or wherever is closest when I realize I forgot to get it when I opened the last pack and I'm suddenly out of it!)  Some supplies I get from Amazon and some from Sam's.  We worked out a budget to figure out how much we needed to spend per month and then went looking for what we needed at the lowest price.  Since we invested in Amazon Prime the free shipping works to our advantage.  I already had a laminator from a few years back so I didn't have to get a new one for the school work.  I like to laminate certain work that is used over and over throughout the month so it doesn't get destroyed.  I believe we got the laminator at Sam's and that's where we get the card stock and laminate film.  Now, do you need to go to this extreme?  No, you don't.  Get a feel for the curriculum you use and see how things work out.  I volunteered in my son's class for a couple of years and saw how they did things so I kept with their way.  It was just easier, then this new school year they came up with the wonderful idoc and now I don't have to print near as much.  Yeah me!

If you're lucky enough to get one of the Personal Learning Scholarships and you have some savings, you can purchase whatever you need (according to their reimbursement guidelines, of course)  and get reimbursed as soon as they start that this year.  At this point the scholarship is new so it's a reimbursement only type.  I'm hoping that they'll reimburse my curriculum purchase from this past February since I did it for two years.  Yikes!  Let's face it, most of us live paycheck to paycheck and we don't have a lot of money leftover during the month to spend on this stuff.  If you're like me, you have to plan out your income tax refund each year on what is needed the most and just get as much as you can.  It would be wonderful if they could do these scholarships with a debit card that will only allow approved purchases from approved vendors.  Yeah, I know, wishful thinking!

I'm going to finish this post with something that has nothing to do with supplies but it's important and I just thought I'd mention it before I forget it.   If your child has been diagnosed with ASD, check into the Agency for Persons with Disabilities Wait List which is now referred to as Waivers.  My son was on the wait list for almost nine years.  We've had some assistance in the interim but only this year are we getting lots of help with ABA therapy and respite care.  My point is get on there now so when you REALLY need the help, you'll have it.

Each link I've put on my posts refers to my state.  They will give you a general idea of what the topic is about.  It's up to you to do the research for you own state.