Autism & Early Intervention

Research shows that children as young as 12 months can show signs of autism.  Those of us that work with children with special needs are very aware of such signs but most parents are not.   Early detection of Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) leads to early therapeutic intervention, which can make all the difference in a child’s future.

Parents, as you become familiar with the early signs or red flags associated with autism and have concerns about your child’s development, your concerns may warrant an evaluation to assess his/her present levels of development.  First, speak with your pediatrician or more specifically a Developmental Pediatrician who specializes in the identification of Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Then, familiarize yourself with the interventions an infant or toddler with autism may benefit from, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech & language therapy, nutrition services, special education, and/or behavior therapy.   Lastly, explore options in order to get your child evaluated and then to receive the necessary on-going services.  Such options may include applying for Early Intervention services that are funded through the state and/or seeking out the benefits provided by private health insurance companies.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) gives each parent the legal right to obtain support for infants and toddlers with disabilities through government funding.   Section C of IDEA clearly defines the parameters of Early Intervention programming.  A team led by a case manager facilitates the development of an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).  Through the IFSP process, family members and service providers work together to plan, implement, and evaluate services.  The IFSP document is tailored to specifically meet the family’s concerns, priorities, and resources.  If you are unsure about agencies available in your community, contact your state’s lead agency in charge of the early intervention system.  To find your state’s lead early intervention agency, please refer to the “State Agencies” tab on the NICHCY State Resource Sheet.

There has been a lot of media attention on healthcare reform, both on federal and state levels, aimed to provide healthcare benefits for children with autism.  There are currently 37 states and the District of Columbia have laws related to the treatment of Autistic Spectrum Disorders autism and insurance coverage.  Familiarize yourself with current state statutes to see if these laws apply in your state of residence then contact your health insurance company to find out the coverage they provide for therapeutic services.

If your insurance company does not provide coverage for treatment of ASD, then speak with your pediatrician and treating therapists that have experience dealing with insurance companies.   Many children with autism present with diagnostic factors impacting their physical growth and health, such as hypotonia (low muscle tone), feeding difficulties, or dyspraxia.  If your pediatrician identifies such areas of need, then occupational therapy, physical therapy, and/or feeding therapy can offer specialized treatment and in-network coverage is generally provided.  If you choose an out-of-network service provider then a percentage of the billed rate is often covered. If you want to stay in-network with your insurance company and they do not have a suitable therapist, they may pay for complete out-of-network costs.  It is always worth asking.

If you are a concerned parent of an infant or toddler that may have signs of autism….ask questions, do research, and be assertive to get the early intervention needed to build a strong foundation for his/her transition into childhood.

– Sari Ockner, OTR/L