ADVICE NEEDED! Difference in services provided if child qualifies under Autism

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Question: Hi, we are in CA and my dd is eligible for special ed services under category SLI and OHI (speech/language impairment and other health impairment). Do you know what would be the difference in provided services if she would qualify under Autism? I have heard that once a child qualifies under Autism, its way easier to get services such like speech, ABA etc. Is it true?

Answers:

• Colleen D. Proctor Theoretically, once she is deemed eligible the services are tailored to her individual needs. You can request a full assessment for any services you think would help her academically.
• Sam G. In ca here. I had one who was diagnosed early and one who didn’t get a diagnosed until 1st grade. Speech and OT were never an issue without a diagnosis, but behavioral plans and supports were harder.

  With my son who was diagnosed early, we even got in home ABA therapy that was 100 % covered by insurance. The school district won’t pay for ABA past 3 without an autism diagnosis because they would not get reimbursed for it.
• Carole C. I feel like our autism diagnosis opens up a world of services and in our case special school options. CA school are the best. I don’t know our actual numbers but I never feel like I have to fight for services.
• Christina C. We are in NY. And the diagnosis of *on the spectrum of autism ** opened all new doors for us and he was entitled to soooooo much more than the city was offering us before we had an exact diagnosis. We see an neurological developmental pediatrician and after her report. We pretty much get any thing we want for him. And it has helped him make so much progress !
• Renee S. There’s truly no difference. U can always add social, behavioral & more academic goals, if needed, under any type of IEP. If u believe your child has Autism, then you’d have to request an Autism Assessment by the District Psychologist & a private source. Depending on the outcome u can change the primary eligibility. It’s not the label that controls the IEP limits, it’s how u request it. If u have any further questions, feel free to pm me. I’ve been a Special Ed Advocate for 10yrs.
• MaryBeth S. My sons IEP was listed under OHI for years and just last week, after a long battle, his IEP is now listed as Autism, now they’ve added behavior and social goals on his IEP with an added 150 mins weekly! Made an instant difference, and now the school is willing to work on deficits that they ignored before the dx change.
• Marie M. What sort of social skills can be added to an IEP?
• Beth-Ann Bloom The category shouldn’t matter if the evaluation shows a need. IF the school’s evaluation doesn’t show a deficit in an area there will be no services and vice versa
• Marisa J. Look into your insurance policy before seeking this out. Our former insurance (which just ended on 04-01) would not cover any therapy services if the Autism diagnosis was attached. Even our new insurance won’t cover ABA, which is sadly so very common
• Susan F. Medicaid will require all state Medicaid to provide any service with a physician written prescription for a child with an autism dx in the near future. States are already aware of this change and have been given time to organize implementation of the change before having to do so.
• Andrea W. Not in Virginia. Autism DC gets u nothing!! I keep my girl DC w/ MR just to get services
• Judy H. My son’s “needs” were determined regardless of diagnosis via his IEP. Prior to calling Autism ~ a “spectrum” ~ Until his diagnosis, we referred to his “autistic tendencies”.
• Rebbecca D. My daughter was first diagnosed as just autistic because her Dr said that would guarentee she would get what she needed, but that was in NY
• Josi M. I’m in Virginia and was told my insurance will not cover aba without an autism diagnosis.
• Janice S. LeSueur Services should be based upon your little ones needs. i have observed that an Autism label does open up the doors for waivers and services outside the school system. The autism label also make justifying some things within the school system easier. BTW in the educational setting ABA is not a service … it is a method.
• Terrie H. They have to have Autism services available. My son has always been SLI and OHI as well but they will not accept the Autism diagnosis.
• Zena B. It should be based on the child’s exact need. I hope Regional Center is supporting your child if they have a qualifying eligibility.

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