Frequently Asked Questions
Autism & Services related questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Finding the right resources about raising a child with autism can be tough. Who can you trust for advice and support? As a leading national autism treatment provider, we are here to help. Below you can sort through a list of the most frequently-asked questions we hear from families and parents affected by autism. From treatment, therapy, services, and more.
What if we need speech therapy?
We can collaborate with speech-language pathologists to ensure your child receives a streamlined autism treatment plan. Speech therapy can help your child with language disorders, social and cognitive communication, and physical hindrances to speech (like swallowing). This type of autism therapy is conducted by speech-language pathologists.
What is Behavioral Therapy for Autism?
ABA is regarded as the most effective form of autism therapy. This model uses evidence-based methods to improve socially significant behaviors in children with autism. This type of therapy helps children with autism overcome challenging behavior while developing new skills to help them become more independent. Our BCBAs will meet with you and your family to create an individualized treatment plan that addresses your child’s greatest needs and targets specific skills that will help them the most.
Is ABA Therapy covered by insurance?
ABA services are the only autism therapy covered by insurance. Our team of experienced intake specialists serve as your advocate to maximize your coverage. They’ll connect with your insurance company to determine your eligibility for ABA therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and other autism services. Check out a location near you to see which insurance carriers offer coverage in your area.
What are the Treatment Options for Autism?
Effective autism therapy takes a village of highly trained professionals and caring family members. And, just as every child is unique, no treatment plan looks exactly the same. When creating an autism treatment plan, our BCBAs work to identify which treatment types would help your child the most, including ABA therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, functional communication training, and more. These plans are most effective when children start therapy at a young age, so don’t hesitate to contact us to begin a treatment plan for your child.
How many people, worldwide, have ASD?
A recent study analyzed the DNA of more than 35,584 people worldwide, including 11,986 autistic individuals. The scientists identified variants in 102 genes linked with an increased probability of developing ASD
How does Functional Communication Training (FCT) help?
FCT teaches your child to engage in a replacement behavior instead of exhibiting problem behavior. For example, if your child with autism screams in order to gain attention, FCT would help him learn more appropriate ways to ask for attention. Note, FCT doesn’t require your child to verbally speak. Depending on your child’s needs and skill levels, they may learn an intervention behavior that includes pointing, modeling, signing, or a variety of other forms. Research has shown that this kind of autism therapy is a great way to reduce challenging behaviors.
How Do I get Certified in ABA Therapy?
There are several levels of ABA certifications, which vary depending on your level of education. Some certifications, like BCBA, require a master’s degree, while others, like the RBT certification, require only a high school degree.
But, you don’t have to be a professional to help your child! When your family is affected by autism, it’s natural to want to learn as much about it as possible. We offer a variety of autism and autism therapy education programs for parents, caregivers, and teachers. Plus, our online resources connect you with high-quality information and additional opportunities to meet other families and professionals through ASD networking events.
Can we get ABA Therapy at home?
Autism doesn’t affect just one area of your child’s life, so ABA shouldn’t be confined to only one location. By utilizing multiple ABA therapy locations, the treatment team at our national ABA provider can help you and your child address concerns in different areas.
Home-based therapy allows our therapists to provide treatment in everyday situations in your home, whereas center-based therapy allows them to perform ABA in a structured environment in our centers. Each location offers unique benefits.
- Home-based ABA provides a great way to teach skills that your child uses at home. For example, it is beneficial for teaching bedtime routines and toilet training.
- Center-based ABA provides your child with a structured environment in which he or she learns a variety of important skills. If your child will soon enter school, this approach can help him or her adjust to the routine of going to a set location to learn.
Although the locations are different, you can count on two constants. Your child will receive highly effective, evidence-based ABA therapy from our experienced team. You will also be involved in the process, as ABA is most effective when the child’s family plays an active role in the treatment process.
When should ABA Therapy start?
Evidence has shown that early intervention is key in helping improve challenging behavior, we focus on very young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Our early intervention program helps families, schools, organizations and professionals that are impacted by autism. Our team of autism behavioral therapists provides compassionate, expert care to children with autism and other developmental disabilities with a particular focus on early intervention for children between infancy and age five. We also offer support for children who need help transitioning to school-based learning. In addition, we have Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)–based autism therapy services for older children and adolescents.
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Questions about insurance ?
We support our clients with a dedicated insurance team member within our company — that has years of experience in managed care contracting, coding, authorizations and billing issues. We are your advocate and partner in maximizing the potential benefits of your insurance coverage.