Pediatrics

Community Resources

and Services for Children

with Autism

Dinah Godwin, LCSW

Texas Children’s Health Plan Grand Rounds

May 30, 2019

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1) Identify key community resources and services for

children with autism spectrum disorder

2) Describe school-based services for students with autism

spectrum disorder

3) Learn to apply knowledge of autism-related resources

and supports during patient encounters

Objectives

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How to Use

Poll

Everywhere

DINAHGODWIN254

37607

To participate in Poll Everywhere by

Text Message:

1. Open a new text message.

2. Type the phone number 37607

3. Type the message

“DINAHGODWIN254”

4. Hit “send”

5. You’ll receive a message

stating that you joined my

session

To participate in Poll Everywhere by

Internet:

1. Open the internet browser on your

phone.

2. Enter the web site:

www.PollEv.com/DinahGodwin254

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The Road to Services in Texas

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Sometimes You Need a Checklist

Pediatrics

A Crash Course in

Special Education

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Alphabet Soup of Special Education

IDEA

FIE

ARD

IEP

PPCD

FAPE

BIP

LRE

ECI

FERPA…

What does it all MEAN?!

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Core Concepts

•Schools have the obligation to find and evaluate children

suspected of having a disability that affects their learning.

•All children have the right to a Free and Appropriate Public

Education (FAPE).

•Special education is not a place but a package of services and

should be offered in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).

•Special education services should be individualized and based

on the child’s needs.

•Parents are an integral part of the decision-making team.

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Overview of Special Education Services

•Early Childhood Intervention/Part C of IDEA (ages 0-3)‐ https://hhs.texas.gov/services/disability/early-childhood-intervention-services

•Educational Services and Supports (ages 3-21)‐Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities (PPCD)

‐Self-contained classrooms such as Life Skills or autism-focused programs

‐Resource classes and/or support (ex: tutoring, pull-outs, etc.)

‐Regular education with in-class supports (ex: co-teaching, 1:1 aide)

•Related Services‐Speech, occupational, and/or physical therapy

‐Behavioral supports and parent training

‐Auditory/Visual Impairment services

‐Autism Supplement

•Transition Services

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•Parent should submit a written request to the child’s zoned

school.

‐Letter should be addressed to the school’s Principal and/or Special

Education Coordinator.

‐Sample letters are available through The Arc of Greater Houston or

Disability Rights Texas.

•Record the date the letter was received by the school.

PARENTS SHOULD KEEP A DATED COPY OF THE REQUEST

FOR THEIR RECORDS!

Requesting a Full and Individual Evaluation

(FIE) for Special Education Eligibility

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Evaluation Request Timeline

Initial Evaluation Request

• 15 school days

Consent and Prior Written Notice Given

to Parents

• 45 schooldays

Full and Individual Evaluation Completed

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Full and Individual

Evaluation (FIE) Completed

• Within 30 Calendar Days

Notice of Admission, Review and

Dismissal (ARD) Meeting

Provided to parent at least 5 days prior to

ARD meeting

ARD Meeting

to develop

Individual

Educational

Plan

Pediatrics

Behavioral

Interventions

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Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

•Type of therapy/intervention often recommended for

children with autism, with good research support.

•Services may be offered in a variety of formats.

•ABA uses what we know about how children learn to

bring about positive change in behavior.

‐ Increases behaviors want to see more of and reduces behavior

that may cause harm or interfere with learning.

‐Based on idea that people are more likely to repeat behaviors

that are rewarded (positive reinforcement) than ones that are

ignored.

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What Can ABA Help Address?

•Communication

•Self-care and independence

•Play skills

•Social relationships

•Behavior

•Learning

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•Some private insurance plans cover ABA.‐Families can review their policy and contact their

insurance company to inquire about coverage.

‐If ABA is not covered, parents can advocate with their

HR department to have ABA included as a covered

benefit.

•Unfortunately, ABA is not yet a covered

benefit under Texas Medicaid or CHIP.

How to Access ABA

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•The Texas Department of Health and Human Services

funds some ABA programs for Texas children ages 3-15

who have a documented diagnosis of ASD and are either

covered by Medicaid or have been denied coverage for

ABA by a private insurer.

•These programs offer “focused” or “targeted” skills

training/behavior supports.

•HHSC-funded programs in Houston and other regions of

Texas can be found at:

https://hhs.texas.gov/services/disability/autism

Grant-Funded ABA Therapy

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•Small grants may help families with the cost of ABA

–below are a few options:

‐Hope for Three http://www.hopeforthree.org

‐ACT Today http://www.act-today.org/our-funds/act-

today/

‐Care Family Grant Program

http://careautismfoundation.com/family-funds/

‐First Hand Foundation

https://www.firsthandfoundation.org/request-funding/

Grants for ABA

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•Families can also participate in ABA-based

trainings through community agencies and/or

telehealth programs.

‐FEAT-Houston (www.feathouston.org)

‐University-based programs

•autism.tamu.edu

•https://csd.utexas.edu/centers/speech-hearing/therapy-

groups

‐Private ABA providers may offer trainings as well.

ABA Parent/Caregiver Training

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•Small group and 1-1 activities help children with social and

communication difficulties learn to interact more

appropriately with others.

•Social skills groups may be offered by community therapists

and are sometimes offered in schools.

•Social Motion Skills (www.socialmotionskills.org) in Houston

offers groups for all ages as well as a Virtual Motion

program.

Social Skills Training

Pediatrics

Funding and

Benefits

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Medicaid Waiver Programs

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•These programs help with long-term needs for people

with disabilities.

•May provide Medicaid (regardless of family income)

and extra services (for example, respite care,

therapies, day programs, home modifications).

•All programs have long waiting lists. (~12-14 years!)

•Please refer all families of children with autism or other

developmental disabilities!

Medicaid Waivers

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•Offered through the Texas Department of Health and

Human Services (HHS).

•Must have a disability that begins before age 22 &

affects a person’s ability to function in daily life.

•To apply:

•Call 1-877-438-5658.

•Families need to provide the child’s diagnoses,

demographics, and Medicaid or Social Security number.

CLASS Waiver

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HCS and Texas Home Living Waivers

•Offered through county agencies for people with

intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

•In Harris County, the IDD authority is:

‐Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD – 713-970-7070

•Families in other counties should contact their local

IDD agency to apply:

(https://apps.hhs.texas.gov/contact/search.cfm/)

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•Children with autism may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

‐ Must meet Social Security disability criteria for children.

‐ Must also meet family income and assets limits.

•In Texas, children receiving SSI benefits automatically qualify for STAR Kids Medicaid.

•To apply, call 1-800-772-1213 or visit www.ssa.gov.

SSI Benefits

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•Allows some families over income for regular Medicaid or SSI

to “buy in” to Medicaid for their child with a disability.

‐ Family income must be under 300% of federal poverty level.

‐ Families pay monthly premium based on income.

‐ May be eligible for help with paying private insurance premiums.

•To apply:

‐ Call 2-1-1 or 1-877-541-7905.

‐ Apply online:

https://yourtexasbenefits.hhsc.texas.gov/programs/health/child/buy-in

Medicaid Buy-In Program for Children

Pediatrics

Other Resources

and Supports for

Families

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•Support Groups and Organizations

‐Facebook or Meetup.com

‐Texas Parent to Parent (www.txp2p.org)

‐Grupo de Apoyo (Spanish-speaking parent group at Legacy

Community Health)

‐Katy Autism Support

•Community

‐Therapy waiting rooms

‐Schools

Where Can Caregivers Find Support?

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•Families interested in autism-related research

through Texas Children’s and Baylor College of

Medicine can access a current list of research

opportunities using the following link:

‐https://www.bcm.edu/research/clinical-trials/h-42938

Research Opportunities

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•Introduction to Autism Resources and Services

•The Basics of ADHD

•Introduction to Transition

•Caregiver Education Series (variety of topics)

•Electronic Newsletter (http://bit.ly/ACMCenews)

Educational Offerings for Families at

the Autism Center/Meyer Center

Pediatrics

Resources and

Supports for Your

Practice

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•Workshops for families at community sites (e.g.

other TCH settings, TCP practices)

•Professional education (live and/or webinars)

•Community resource pages on the Meyer

Center/Autism Center websites

‐https://www.texaschildrens.org/departments/developmental-

pediatrics

‐https://www.texaschildrens.org/departments/autism

Community Outreach and Education

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•New diagnosis packets

•Community resource materials

•AC/MC Newsletter:

‐Subscribe to our newsletter: http://bit.ly/ACMCenews

•Teleconsultation with social workers

Other Ways to Support Pediatricians

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Contact InformationAutism Center and Meyer Center for Developmental Pediatrics

8080 N. Stadium Dr., Suite 100

Houston, TX 77054

Meyer Center Phone: 832-822-3400

Autism Center Phone: 832-822-3704

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Questions????