What is Autism?

Get a referral to determine a diagnosis

Behaviors or challenges your child experiences may or may not be related to autism, but there is one thing in which all experts agree: early identification is key.

Every person with ASD experiences different challenges and abilities, so diagnosing isn’t black and white. Observe and take note of your child’s developmental milestones, lack thereof, regressions and any other behaviors that worry you. Discuss these with your pediatrician and if you still have concerns, have them write a referral for a diagnostic evaluation. Have patience throughout this process, but be persistent.

Evidence shows that the earlier development is evaluated, the greater the chance a child has to reach his or her potential. Knowing this, Hopebridge provides some of the quickest answers in the area – in as little as 45 days! We can diagnose autism in toddlers as young as 15 months, so if there are behaviors or delays that concern you, don’t wait. You can schedule an appointment with a member of our Hopebridge Diagnostics Team, which offers thorough, insurance-recognized assessments. Once we receive a referral from the physician, we contact you within 48 business hours to verify basic information and get the process moving.

To find out more about Hopebridge’s assessment options and schedule an appointment, reach out through our Contact page or call us at (855) 324-0885.

Craft a custom plan of care

We don’t treat a diagnosis. We treat your child. Finding out whether your child has autism is imperative in guiding our direction for therapy services, but simply knowing does not overcome his or her struggles.

Autism has so many different faces. Each kid has unique challenges and abilities. We take this into consideration and teach across a spectrum, from low-functioning to high-functioning autism. We aim to embrace everyone under the ASD diagnosis, which is now also inclusive of what was previously known as Asperger’s Syndrome. At Hopebridge, each child has his or her own team of talented, passionate professionals with a commitment to create a plan of care tailored for each individual.

Individuals with ASD often have needs that will benefit from ABA, speech, feeding and occupational therapy. As as a result, we typically perform ABA, speech and OT evaluations to discover targeted areas for intervention. The comprehensive behavioral and skills assessments ensure goals are selected based on your child’s chronological age and developmental needs. Whether that be potty-training in the short term or setting him or her up for preschool in the long term, we use these results to develop a plan to get there.

With multiple coordinated therapies and natural environmental possibilities under one roof, our team collaborates to develop the most effective mix within a Hopebridge Individualized Treatment Plan (ITP) for each family. Frequency and duration of therapy is determined based on the results of the evaluation, but we follow the guidelines of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, which recommend 20 to 40 hours of ABA per week to provide the best possible chance of success and independence.

Receive insurance authorization for autism therapy

Hopebridge accepts nearly all private insurance plans and Medicaid to make therapy accessible for the widest possible range of families. Because therapy coverage varies by plan, our full-service insurance team provides support from start to finish to make sure your child is eligible for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA therapy).

To be accepted by insurance, the diagnosis must include Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) scoring or other testing to indicate the level of severity, which is always part of the evaluations we offer at Hopebridge. Our Care and Benefits Team can work with you to contact your child’s insurance company to obtain the proper approval for an evaluation.

From there, we work directly with the insurance company to obtain authorization for therapy services. Once your child’s physician approves the plan, a Care and Benefits Coordinator can help dissect your coverage to determine the final cost.

Start the therapy your child needs to thrive

Once the logistics are cleared, that’s when the fun begins. With our center-based Hopebridge360™ model, your child will receive one-on-one attention through ABA’s evidence-based practices blended with other crucial services, like occupational and speech therapies.

All programs are developed and overseen by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), but directed by parents’ input on goals. For instance, want to prepare your child for school or learn to socialize with other children? We have the experience, time and resources to start small and build our way up. Our therapists begin with one-on-one skills, then can slowly work up to parallel play, interactive play and even mock classroom-like settings. Your child will have access to on-site clinical support, which ensures safe responses to prevent, minimize and manage behavioral challenges.

Once objectives are set and plans are implemented, progress is monitored and programmatic changes are determined with help from data evaluation. Your child’s goals and progress are personally reviewed with you every 90 days. Parent education and home programming are also offered to enhance the benefits of therapy.

Receive support through the transition process

These kiddos hold special places in our hearts forever, but it is never our intent to keep them in our centers forever. Our happiest days are those in which our little learners transition out of their programs and onto new adventures.

Just like the children we work with, transitions fall along a broad spectrum. They are goal-driven and timelines vary. Gaining independence and catching up on developmentally age-appropriate skills are usually strong signs kids are ready to grow into the next phase. For some, this means evolving from full time to part time therapy in the center. For others, it’s progressing into preschool, kindergarten or another grade level, either in special education or regular education classrooms.

No matter which route they take, our therapists not only help them get there, but support families throughout the transition process. Regular check-ins with parents, schools and physicians are available to ensure long-term success.

The journey doesn’t end here. This is just the beginning of a beautiful life, here at Hopebridge, home and beyond.