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QUESTIONS FOR IN-HOME AUTISM TREATMENT PROVIDERS
Responses are in italics. Spelling and typographical errors are the sole fault of the webmaster. Where indicated [sic], it was not clear what the word was. Word is in parentheses with a question mark when handwritten word was not clear.
Professional Family Resources, Inc.
L. William Topel, Psy.D.
361 VanDyke St.
Oconto, WI 54153
Phone: 920-834-7456, Fax: 920-834-2285
A. Therapy:
1. How would you characterize your therapeutic approach? Our therapeutic approach consists of applied behavioral analysis, observation, assessment, psycho-educational and psychotherapy. Programming is developed based upon the individual and family's identified needs, and delivered on a 1:1 basis with the child and to include family involvement. Observation is done daily to identify patterns in child's fixations, environmentsl changes, sensory deficits, aggressive behaviors, family stressors, progress in verbal skills, etc. Our observations are bias to include all aspects/systems of the child's life. The data collected from the programming is analyzed and put into charts to demonstrate progress, or lack thereof, and correlated with observational data. This is done not only to provide information, but also as a means to measure the quality of our services, along with identifying areas that seem mysterious, so a meaning to the behavior can be found. The family is taught coping skills, behavioral techniques, and is provided information to help understand their child's behaviors. Our staff extremely values the knowledge and expertise of family members as we incorporate that information into our work with their child. Finally, our certified senior therapist work with the family on how to manage the stresses involved with having a child with a disability.
2. How do you work with children who are nonverbal? We utilize the PECS or already implemented communication device or systems.
3. How do you accommodate the child's sensory defensiveness? Sensory integration issues are a significant component of our program; sensory diets are incorporated in the program, ongoing assessments, and possible referrals to identify child's strengths and weaknesses. Data is collected to help illustrate behavioral problems resulting or correlated with sensory integration issues. This data is used to help inform and educate other providers so there is continutiy of care.
4. How do you deal with a child's aggressive behavior? A child's aggressive behaviors have a purpose. Our role is to help determine that purpose. Our program has a component to teach the child to identify needs, express needs, and/or self soothe to decrease and at times eliminate aggressive behaviors.
5. What services are offered in addition to the in-home therapy (i.e., social skills groups, speech therapy, etc.)? Are these services also covered by Medicaid? We will be offering the following psychotherapy groups: siblings, couples, and family. Medical assistance and/or other third party incurance cover these groups.
B. Entering and Exiting the program:
1. Do you accept all children under the current Medicaid age limit who apply? If not, what are your entrance requirements, such as age or IQ? Yes.
2. What testing do you require initially? Child needs to have an existing diagnosis. No other testing is required.
3. Under what circumstances will you accept testing by other agencies, such as schools or private therapists? Testing results from outside agencies are accepted if the parent/legal guardian authorizes the release of these records.
4. What are the current out-of pocket expenses that a parent must pay for the entrance testing? None.
5. Can parents arrange to have these expenses spread out over a longer time period? N/A.
6. How is the number of therapy hours determined? The number of hours is determined by the identified needs of the child, family, and by the recommendations of the therapist..
7. Do you require that the child may not be in any other educational program when he begins therapy? If so, for how long? No.
8. How is a child's progress evaluated, and how often is this done? Progress is evaluated through the analysis of program data. Programs are implemented based upon identified problems. Analysis first takes place after three months of service, then monthly thereafter.
9. What are your criteria for a child exiting the program? Child has achieved identified goals and is able to function with the family, school, and community with minimal to no assistance, or in the event the family requests to discontinue treatment.
10. Under what circumstances can a child be dismissed from your program? A child can be dismissed from our program if we do not have the skills and/or knowledge to meet a child's needs. In this event appropriate referrals are arranged so the child receives the treatment that is most beneficial to them.
Therapists:
1. What are the minimum educational requirements for line therapists? Line staff must be in the second year of college going towards a Bachelor's degree in human services and has 160 hours training in ABA or Equivalent Behavioral Modification working in a setting with children with Autism, or must be 18 years old with a high school degree and 2000 hours training in ABA or Equivalent Behavioral Modification.
2. What kind of training are the line therapists given? Who provides the training and what are their qualifications? In addition to MA requirements our staff is under direct supervision of a licensed Psychologists and a Masters level therapist. We are trained in Sensory Integration and continue to advance by attending conferences through the United States.
3. What should parents do if they have a complaint about a line or senior therapist? If parents have any complaints about line or senior therapist, they are encouraged and welcomed to complete a formal grievance that has been established by the state. Professonal Family Resources, Inc. is a Wisconsin Certified Mental Health Clinic that follows specific procedures designed to assist any client or family our agency serves.
Parents:
1. What kind of training is given to parents and other family members? How much training is provided? Professional Family Resources, Inc. takes the approach of continually educating and providing training to all parents and family members for as long as they are involved with our agency. Training, educating, and being a resource for families is important in creating and maintaining a healthy effective program for the children and families we serve.
2. Must one parent be in the home during therapy sessions? What alternate arrangements are acceptable? Although we encourage families to participate in their child's treatment, they are not required to be present. We do require the parent to leave a number they could be reached at in case of an emergency.
3. What, if any, support services, such as respite or counseling, are offered to families by your organization? How are these services paid for? Our agency can provide In-Home Family Therapy funded by Medical Assistance as well as outpatient counseling services. We also offer Psychotherapy groups; siblings, couples, and family. Medical Assistance and/or other third party insurance cover these groups.
4. Do you provide prospective families a list of families who have used your services and have agreed to be contacted? We do not provide a list of families names to potential clients, although we do refer new families to case managers and social workers we have worked with in the past. Our agency works closely with other providers the child has. We feel they would give a fair assessment of what our program has to offer.
Other Agencies 1. How do you coordinate with area school districts that the children you are supporting attend? Our agency is very involved with the area school districts our children attend. Depending on each child's needs, we will attend IEP meetings, and will have day to day contact with teachers and other staff at the school if necessary. We try to keep open communication with the school systems. This help[s] to ensure that the children we serve are getting a well-rounded consistent service provided to them.
2. How do you coordinate with private therapists that the family employs who are not a part of your organization? Our role is to provide a well-rounded service and to be involved with the continuity of care for all the children we work with. We send monthly progress reports to physicians and to any other agency that would help to ensure complete care for the child. We are very open and willing to work with other agencies that the family may choose to be a part of their child's treatment.