Caregiver Frequent Asked Questions
Fill out our online form at www.fullspectrumaba.com/get-services
The waiting time for receiving Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy can be influenced by a variety of factors, including:
1. Demand and Availability: The demand for ABA therapy can vary by region and the prevalence of individuals seeking these services. In areas with higher demand and limited providers, there might be longer waiting lists.
2. Provider Availability: The number of qualified ABA therapists or Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) in a given area can affect the waiting time. If there are a limited number of providers, it could lead to longer wait times.
3. Insurance Coverage: The availability of insurance coverage and reimbursement for ABA therapy can impact the waiting time. If insurance coverage is limited or requires pre-authorization, it might take longer to navigate the administrative process.
4. Diagnosis and Assessment: The time it takes to receive a formal diagnosis and complete a comprehensive assessment to determine the appropriate ABA therapy plan can influence the waiting time.
5. Severity of Needs: Individuals with more severe behavioral or developmental challenges might require more intensive and specialized ABA therapy. The availability of resources to address these needs can impact the waiting time.
6. Geographic Location: Urban areas tend to have more resources and providers compared to rural areas, which can affect waiting times.
7. Age of Individual: Early intervention is often recommended for children with developmental disorders. As a result, there might be a higher demand for ABA therapy services for young children, potentially leading to longer waiting times.
8. Referral Process: The time it takes for a referral from a doctor, pediatrician, or other healthcare professional to be processed and connected with an ABA provider can affect waiting times.
9. Administrative Processes: Administrative tasks such as insurance verification, scheduling, and obtaining necessary authorizations can add to the waiting time.
10. Seasonal Factors: Waiting times might be influenced by seasonal fluctuations in demand or provider availability.
11. Specialized Services: If an individual requires highly specialized ABA therapy or specific expertise (e.g., dealing with a rare condition or challenging behavior), it might take longer to find a suitable provider.
It's important to reach out to local ABA therapy providers, healthcare professionals, and insurance companies to gather information about the estimated waiting time in your specific situation. Being proactive and starting the process early can help reduce the potential waiting time and ensure timely access to the therapy needed.
1. Copy of insurance card(s), front and back.
2. Physician's referral (Script)
a) Patient Name
b) Patient Date of Birth
c) "ABA therapy, evaluation and treatment"
d) Specific ICDl0 diagnosis code(s). Cannot be an "unspecified" code. For example, F90.9
ADHD UNSPECIFIED is not accepted.
e) Must be signed by an MD or DO. Signatures from an ARNP or PA-C are not accepted.
f) Physician's name
g. Referring physician must be a Medicaid provider.
3. Comprehensive Diagnostic Report: The Comprehensive Diagnostic Report is an evaluation of the
child's cognitive and developmental functioning resulting in the child's diagnosis, and is performed by a
Developmental Pediatrician MD, a Psychiatric MD, a Board eligible child and adolescent Psychiatric.
You may have a copy of this report in your child's records, or you may have to obtain a copy from the
diagnosing professional. Depending on the child's diagnosis, the report may involve information about
the child's history, parent or teacher interviews, behavioral observations, speech or language
assessments, medical evaluations, genetic testing, or standardized cognitive assessments.
A Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation (CDE) is a thorough review and assessment of the child’s development and behavior using national, evidence-based practice standards, which may include:
• Parent or guardian interview
• Teacher assessment
• Diagnostic testing using tools such as: o Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule
(ADOS-2)
o The Childhood Autism Rating Scale – 2nd edition (CARS2)
o Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised (M-CHAT-R)
o Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales (CSBS)
o Autism Diagnostic Interview, Revised (ADI-R)
o Social Communication Questionnaire
o Battelle Developmental Inventory– 2nd edition
• Hearing and vision testing
• Genetic testing
• Neurological and/or other medical testing
The CDE must be led by licensed practitioners qualified to assess child developmental disorders such as:
• Developmental Pediatricians
• Child Neurologists
• Child Psychologists
• Child Psychiatrists
In coordination with Full Spectrum ABA, the A.E. Wood Foundation now offers Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluations at a low cost to families. During the Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation, a Licensed Psychologist will assess multiple areas of your child’s functioning, including communication, social skills, behavioral strengths, and concerns, and will obtain developmental history.
You can learn more at www.fullspectrumaba.com/cde
There are several ways to send documents:
Via our online form: www.fullspectrumaba.com/send
Fax: (813) 920-9252
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is a structured and evidence-based approach to understanding and modifying behavior, often used to support individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental or behavioral challenges. ABA therapy can be implemented in various settings, including the home, school, and community. Here's how ABA therapy is applied in each of these environments:
1. Home:
In the home setting, ABA therapy is tailored to the individual's specific needs and goals. A trained ABA therapist or Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) typically works with the individual in their natural environment, collaborating closely with parents or caregivers. Here's how ABA therapy is implemented at home:
- Assessment: A thorough assessment is conducted to identify the individual's strengths, challenges, and specific goals. This assessment guides the development of an individualized treatment plan.
- Parent Training: Parents or caregivers are actively involved in the therapy process. They receive training on ABA techniques, strategies, and behavior management principles. This empowers them to reinforce positive behaviors and address challenges consistently.
- Skill Building: ABA therapy focuses on building various skills, such as communication, social interactions, self-care, academic skills, and adaptive behaviors. Therapists use structured teaching methods and reinforcement strategies to teach new skills systematically.
- Behavior Management: ABA therapy helps individuals learn appropriate behaviors and reduce challenging behaviors. Techniques such as positive reinforcement, prompting, and fading are used to encourage desired behaviors while minimizing problem behaviors.
- Generalization: Therapists work to ensure that the skills learned at home generalize to different contexts and situations. This might involve practicing skills in various rooms, with different people, and across different activities.
2. School:
ABA therapy can also be implemented in school settings to support children with autism or behavioral challenges. Here's how ABA therapy is applied in schools:
- Individualized Education Plans (IEPs): ABA goals can be incorporated into a student's IEP, which outlines specific educational goals and services tailored to the student's needs.
- Collaboration: ABCAs and ABA therapists collaborate with teachers and school staff to create a consistent approach to behavior management and skill development.
- Classroom Strategies: ABA techniques are used within the classroom to promote positive behaviors and help the student participate successfully in classroom activities.
- Social Skills: ABA therapy helps students develop social skills needed for interactions with peers, teachers, and other school staff.
3. Community:
ABA therapy can also extend into community settings to help individuals generalize skills outside of structured environments. Here's how ABA therapy is applied in the community:
- Community Integration: Therapists work with individuals to practice skills in real-world settings, such as grocery stores, parks, restaurants, and public transportation.
- Behavioral Flexibility: ABA therapy focuses on teaching individuals to adapt to various situations, handle changes, and interact appropriately with others in different community settings.
- Safety Skills: ABA therapy can include teaching safety skills, such as crossing streets safely, following rules, and interacting with strangers appropriately.
Overall, ABA therapy emphasizes the use of data-driven strategies to teach and reinforce behaviors that improve an individual's quality of life and overall functioning across home, school, and community settings. The therapy's goal is to help individuals achieve greater independence, communication skills, and social interactions while reducing problem behaviors.