Autism Insurance: What Parents Need To Know

Autism Insurance: What Parents Need to Know

Michigan Office of the Governor sent this bulletin at 04/09/2012 03:42 PM EDT

 Documentation Requirements for Autism Insurance: What Parents Need to Know
  You may have been told by a person you trust, such as a teacher at your child's school, that your child is on the autism spectrum. It is important to note that criteria for access to special education services at your school is not the same as a medical diagnosis. This October, insurance coverage for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) will go into effect under Michigan law. To qualify for coverage under your insurance policy, your child must have a medical diagnosis.
  Prescribing therapies for autism spectrum disorder starts with an accurate diagnosis. The new autism insurance benefit for children with autism will allow children to receive speech, occupational and physical therapies, and applied behavior analysis (ABA). However, appropriate documentation that your child has an autism spectrum disorder (autism, pervasive developmental disorder-PDD, or Asperger’s) is needed before these therapies can begin.
  NOW is the time to act! The autism insurance benefit will become available to families in October of this year. You will be required to provide the following information to your insurance company BEFORE therapies begin:
1. A diagnostic report by a licensed psychologist or physician documenting a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.
2. Your insurer may require a standardized test known as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) or additional comprehensive diagnostic criteria. Be sure to check with your insurer to know exactly what they need to ensure coverage.
3. School Reports WILL NOT be accepted. Schools DO NOT diagnose autism, only determine ELIGIBILITY for autism service. A medical diagnosis is needed!
  If you do not have the documentation described above, you will need to schedule an appointment as soon as possible with a professional who can evaluate your child. Your child’s pediatrician or family practitioner may be comfortable diagnosing your child. However, the requirements listed above MUST be met. Other types of specialists who diagnosis autism include:

1. Neurologists
2. Licensed, PhD Psychologists
3. Psychiatrists
4. Developmental Pediatricians
5. Multidisciplinary Diagnostic Teams that include one or more of the above

IT IS IMPORTANT TO BEGIN THIS PROCESS NOW. MANY SPECIALISTS AND AUTISM CENTERS HAVE LONG WAIT LISTS FOR EVALUATIONS. BY SCHEDULING THIS APPOINTMENT NOW, YOUR CHILD WILL BE MORE LIKELY TO BEGIN MUCH NEEDED THERAPIES ONCE THE INSURANCE BENEFIT GOES INTO EFFECT IN OCTOBER.
 If there is anything I can be doing for you, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.
   Yours in service, 
 Hartmann AueConstituent Services Division
Office of the Governor

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Summer Groups! See what's available.

Summer Programs at Comprehensive Speech and Therapy Center

Our programs are forming now.  Call 517-750-4777 to reserve your spot!

July 9-August 17 2012

Occupational and Speech Therapy “Mini Groups”
Groups are small, progress is big, with these extended sessions. The goal of these cost effective mini groups are based on your child’s current IEP or individual therapy goals. Mini Groups join 2-3 children and are available for a variety of ages and disorders. Speech and Occupational therapy Mini Groups are forming now! Groups will run for six weeks, meeting once per week for 45 minutes.
  Academic Tutoring “Mini Groups” Keep your child’s school skills sharp through the summer! Tutoring by certified teachers is available in all grade levels and subjects. These mini groups are a cost effective way to maintain and/or learn new skills for success in school.
Happy Hands This group focuses on new and fun ways to promote correct grasp patterns and improve fine motor skills. This group is ideal for children who have trouble with writing tools and hand skills as well as those who need an extra “boost” in writing.
It Takes 2 Come play with your kids! A group for children to attend with their parents. Focus of the group is to promote speech and language skills, socialization, and play skills as well as teach parents to facilitate language and communication skills for their children.
Buddy Bunch Making friends and fitting in with peers is an important part of child-hood. This fun group focuses on social skills and cover topics such as; conversational skills, cooperative play and self-regulation.
Crafty Kids Messy projects, paper mache, and modeling mixtures, will expose kids to unique tactile experiences and sensory exploration. Through creative art, the group will teach pre-writing, cutting and basic fine motor skills at the com-fort level and developmental ability of each individual.
 Handwriting Help Is your child's writing illegible? This remedial class is designed to help kids who have illegible handwriting or difficulty writing. Printing is reviewed using the First Strokes Program. Children are taught to recognize common handwriting errors and progress through a series of exercises to correct their own errors.
Fun With Food “Problem Eaters/Feeders” will benefit from this sensory based approach.  The group is designed to increase a child's comfort level with a variety of foods and progress to experimenting with different textures.  If your child refuses to try new food, has a limited diet, is picky about brands or containers or has stopped eating foods they previously ate, this group is for you.
Mini Movers This group focuses on providing experiences that encourage children to walk, run, jump, and climb.  Sensory play activities are also introduced to expose children to additional ways of learning and exploring.  Socialization with peers is easily facilitated in the open room and at mini stations.  Parent instruction on easy ways to replicate similar therapeutic activities at home will be provided.

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Copyright 2012 Comprehensive Speech And Therapy Center