FAQ
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Autism is generally viewed as a continuum or spectrum, known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). While symptoms on the spectrum can vary in severity and presentation, there are certain common core symptoms - including but not limited to impaired social interactions, repetitive behaviors, and severely limited activities and interests.
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Early signs can be noticed by caregivers/pediatricians before a child reaches one year old, and are typically screened for at 15 and/or 18 months. Symptoms become more consistently visible by 2-3 years of age.
Some symptoms include:
Social communication challenges:
Decreased shared interests
Aversion to eye contact
Delayed or atypical speech/language development
Restricted interests/repetitive behaviors:
Inflexibility or difficulty with change
Difficulty tolerating changes in routines/new experiences
Stereotypical movements such as hand flapping, rocking, spinning
Arranging toys/objects in a particular manner
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The first step is to seek an evaluation. Most parents start by having a discussion with their child’s pediatrician.
If your child is under the age of 3, you can obtain an evaluation through your local early intervention system. For Michigan, that is Early On.
If your child is over the age of 3, you can get an evaluation through your local school.
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Several specialty areas are qualified to diagnose autism, including Developmental/Behavioral Pediatricians, Child Psychiatrists & Psychologists, and Pediatric Neurologists. In Michigan, many private insurance providers require autism evaluations to be completed through an AAEC (Approved Autism Evaluation Center) in order for autism therapies, primarily applied behavior analysis, to be reimbursed.
AAECs in Michigan are listed below.
Beaumont Center for Exceptional Families
18501 Rotunda Dearborn, MI 48124
Phone: (313) 996-1960
Beaumont Children’s Hospital Center for Human Development
30503 Greenfield Rd. Southfield, MI 48076
Phone: (248) 691-4744
Central Autism Assessment & Treatment Center (CAAT) (Central Michigan University)
1101 Health Professions Bldg. Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859
Phone: (989) 774-3904
Covenant Center for Autism
2919 E. Wilder Rd. Bay City, MI 48706
Phone: (989) 671-5738
Easterseals Michigan
2399 E. Walton Blvd. Auburn Hills, MI 48326
Phone: (248) 475-6400
4065 East Hills Court SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Phone: (616) 942-2081
Helen DeVos Behavioral Health Clinic – Spectrum Health
35 Michigan St., Suite 5201 Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: (616) 267-2830
Henry Ford Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities
1 Ford Place Pediatric Admin, 4B Detroit, MI 48202
Phone: (313) 972-9009
Hope Network Center for Autism
2875 Eyde Parkway
1st Floor East Lansing, MI 48823
Phone: (844) 969-0252
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
235 Wealthy Street SEGrand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: (616) 840-8807
Michigan Medicine (formerly University of Michigan Health System)
Phone: (734) 936-4000
MidMichigan Health Pediatric Center
32 S. Homer Rd. Midland, MI 48640
Phone: (989) 492-7766
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
300 68th Street St, SE
P.O. Box 165 Grand Rapids, MI 49548
Phone: (616) 258-7500
University Center for the Child and the Family (UCCF) (University of Michigan)
500 East Washington St., Suite 100 Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Phone: (734) 764-9466
University Pediatricians Autism Center
21600 Novi Rd. Suite 800 Novi, MI 48377
Phone: (248) 305-6172
UP Health System Marquette –Specialty Clinic
580 W. College Ave. Marquette, MI 49855
Phone: (906) 225-4778
WMed Pediatric Autism Center (WMedPAC)
1000 Oakland Drive Kalamazoo, MI 49008
2nd Floor, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine
Phone: (269) 337-6400
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Build on your child’s interests
Offer a predictable or regular schedule
Teach tasks as a series of simple steps if they appear too complex as a whole
Provide one step or instruction at a time, and provide the amount of assistance that is necessary for completion of the task, no more or less
Actively engage your child’s attention in structured activities
Provide praise or rewards for positive behaviors, often
General Autism FAQ
ABA Therapy FAQ
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Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a proven approach used to evaluate human behavior in order to produce meaningful changes. Using this method, behavior is observed, measured, and analyzed to understand the impact environmental stimuli has on behavior.
When applied to ASD, ABA addresses existing opportunities for growth by altering the environment surrounding behavior to ultimately improve the core deficits of ASD in communication, social interaction, and restricted behaviors. Improving the core deficits gives individuals an appropriate pathway to reinforcement, and allows them to thrive more independently and increase quality of life.
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No one person or fact can tell you definitively if ABA is right for your child or family. A BCBA will be able to complete an evaluation and should work with your family and your child on what goals would be impactful and could be targeted in ABA treatment. There will be multiple factors to consider, including the risks and benefits of ABA, the availability of quality services in your area, as well as your family’s ability to commit to what can be an intensive model of treatment.
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An ABA Assessment is a tool that providers use to get to know someone. They interact with the individual to determine where their skillsets and deficits are compared to specific benchmarks or age norms.
Typically, these assessments are required by insurance companies for coverage of services.
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Autistic children will likely be recommended anywhere between 15-35 hours of ABA therapy a week as decided on the client, family, and provider. This number should be determined by their age and their individual needs.
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The best age to begin is as soon as possible. Research shows the most effective interventions begin early. Early intervention begins between ages 2 and 4. The average age of beginning ABA services varies by demographics for a multitude of reasons. Practitioners generally advise being assessed for ABA intervention as soon as a diagnosis has been made. While early intervention has the strongest research base, there is no age that is “too late” to begin services.
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For receiving ABA therapy and benefiting from it, no.
For coverage by insurance, this is primarily based on different payor requirements. In 2022, Blue Cross Blue Shield changed their policy so that medically necessary autism treatment services will not be covered with NO age limit. We hope that all other insurance companies follow suit, however, ABA usually is covered by many insurance plans for ages 0-26 years old.
This can also vary by company, with many limiting their services to a certain age range in order to specialize care. Dashi Rivers specializes in early intervention and focused intervention and typically services through age 10.
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BCBA stands for Board Certified Behavior Analyst, which is an individual certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board to utilize ABA within their scope.
Having received a graduate level certificate, BCBAs are masters or doctoral level independent practitioners who provide behavior-analytic services.
An LBA or Licensed Behavior Analyst has been licensed in a state that has passed legislation requiring licensure for behavior analysts.
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RBTs are Registered Behavior Technicians, a provider who has been credentialed by the BACB. RBTs work under a certified BCBA or BCaBA as part of a clinical team.
Most commonly, they implement the bulk of the ABA hours in a 1:1 format.
This credential requires a high school diploma and registration requires an exam and tracking of hours. Close supervision by a BCBA is required for this role.
Some behavior therapists may not be Registered Behavior Technicians, typically referred to as BTs, behavior technicians/therapists.
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Quality Assurance processes are built into every step of your care, from the first phone call all the way through care and graduation or discharge.
Providers are specifically trained in cutting edge concepts of ABA, ensuring that the individuals in our care are highly respected and receive high quality reinforcement driven by their individual needs.
Caregivers are immersed in all aspects of care, constantly included in communication for each session and asked to provide a collaborative input to goals. We truly are a partner in care with a child’s support system throughout the entire care journey.
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Caregiver guidance training is provided to all families at Dashi Rivers on a weekly basis. These opportunities will be used to discuss client progress, client goals, caregiver goals, and behavior supports for the home.
In any ABA program, caregivers should be actively included in planning for an individual’s care and goals.
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Your child should have an increase in their joy each day and week, and a decrease in their anxiety and apprehension throughout the tenure of working with a provider on their case. Your provider should be someone who is easy to communicate with, and someone who is professional, ethical, and has clear boundaries.
We make sure these values are present in all care providers at Dashi Rivers, and we work to match your family with the right caregiver based on your needs and preferences.
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Dashi Rivers offers several options for care, including:
Center-based: Dashi Rivers’ center-based services are located in Northville, MI. Center-based services provide social opportunities that may not be available to clients in other settings. It provides a structured and controlled environment that helps promote several learning opportunities.
Home-based: This takes place in the client’s home, and a caregiver 18+ years is required to be home during the entirety of therapy. Home-based services will be deemed appropriate as a case by case evaluation.
Community-based: This occurs at a predetermined location within the community. A caregiver 18+ years is required to be present during the entirety of therapy. Community-based services will be deemed appropriate as a case by case evaluation.
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From initial contact, Dashi Rivers can begin care for your child within just 6 weeks.
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We accept Aetna, Blue Care Network of Michigan, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Cigna. We are currently in the credentialing process with several other companies - ask our team if your care will be covered soon!
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All behavior therapists working 1:1 will have their RBT certificate.
All BCBAs and BCaBAs will have an active certificate and a state license.
All candidates are screened and then personally interviewed by experts at Dashi Rivers in the service they will provide.
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A private tour of the center can be scheduled before or after regular business hours by contacting our team.
A public tour will be available at the Grand Opening of our Northville location in June. More details to come!
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Our Hours of Operation are as follows:
Monday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday: Closed (Make up sessions by appointment only)
Sunday: Closed
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We provide ABA therapy for children up to age 10. If your child is above this age range, contact us to see if care options are available.
Dashi Rivers FAQ
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