Pediatrics
Community Resources
and Services for Children
with Autism
Dinah Godwin, LCSW
Texas Children’s Health Plan Grand Rounds
May 30, 2019
Page 1
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:39 AMPediatrics Pediatrics
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
Page 3
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:40 AMPediatrics
Page 4
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:40 AMPediatrics
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
Page 5
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:40 AMPediatrics Pediatrics
The Road to Services in Texas
Page 6
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:40 AMPediatrics Pediatrics
Sometimes You Need a Checklist
Pediatrics
A Crash Course in
Special Education
Page 8
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:40 AMPediatrics Pediatrics
Alphabet Soup of Special Education
IDEA
FIE
ARD
IEP
PPCD
FAPE
BIP
LRE
ECI
FERPA…
What does it all MEAN?!
Page 9
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:41 AMPediatrics Pediatrics
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.
Page 10
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:41 AMPediatrics Pediatrics
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
Page 11
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:41 AMPediatrics Pediatrics
•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
Page 12
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:41 AMPediatrics Pediatrics
Evaluation Request Timeline
Initial Evaluation Request
• 15 school days
Consent and Prior Written Notice Given
to Parents
• 45 schooldays
Full and Individual Evaluation Completed
Page 13
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:41 AMPediatrics Pediatrics
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
Page 15
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:41 AMPediatrics Pediatrics
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.
Page 16
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:41 AMPediatrics Pediatrics
What Can ABA Help Address?
•Communication
•Self-care and independence
•Play skills
•Social relationships
•Behavior
•Learning
Page 17
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:42 AMPediatrics Pediatrics
•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
Page 18
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:42 AMPediatrics Pediatrics
•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
Page 19
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:42 AMPediatrics Pediatrics
•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
Page 20
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:42 AMPediatrics Pediatrics
•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
Page 21
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:42 AMPediatrics Pediatrics
•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
Page 23
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:42 AMPediatrics Pediatrics
Medicaid Waiver Programs
Page 24
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:42 AMPediatrics Pediatrics
•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
Page 25
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:42 AMPediatrics Pediatrics
•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
Page 26
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:42 AMPediatrics Pediatrics
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/)
Page 27
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:43 AMPediatrics Pediatrics
•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
Page 28
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:43 AMPediatrics Pediatrics
•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
Page 30
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:43 AMPediatrics Pediatrics
•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?
Page 31
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:43 AMPediatrics Pediatrics
•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
Page 32
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:44 AMPediatrics Pediatrics
•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
Page 34
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:44 AMPediatrics Pediatrics
•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
Page 35
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:44 AMPediatrics Pediatrics
•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
Page 37
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:44 AMPediatrics
Page 38
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:44 AMPediatrics Pediatrics
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
Page 39
xxx00.#####.ppt 5/30/2019 9:40:44 AMPediatrics Pediatrics
Questions????
Top Related