Healing Thresholds Autism Therapy Topic Feed

Spectrum House Focuses Support and Therapy on Military Families with Autism

scottie — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:56:15 +0000

Teaser:

When Linda O’Brien couldn’t find an autism therapy center near her, she opened one; in fact, she has opened three in Florida.

Body:

When Linda O’Brien couldn’t find an autism therapy center near her, she opened one; in fact, she has opened three in Florida. Spectrum House provides certified applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy to children and adults on the autism spectrum. Spectrum House focuses on families in the military and accepts TRICARE insurance. In addition to ABA, Spectrum House therapists help with military-specific issues, host a mock apartment for living and cooking skills, and provide therapeutic horseback riding.

Read original article: Woman Opens Therapy Centers

Some Autism Therapy Options for Military Families

scottie — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 19:43:27 +0000

Teaser:

Military families with children with autism have to start looking for local resources long before they are actually transferred to a new base.

Body:

Military families with children with autism have to start looking for local resources long before they are actually transferred to a new base. The folks at Edwards Air Force Base are lucky to have access to Wellspring, an applied behavior analysis (ABA) treatment method. TRICARE’s Extended Care Health Option for Uniformed Service Members and their families covers most ABA plans. Susan Maki, one military mom at Edwards would like to start a support group for families with special needs. The military has what is called Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) and each base generally has a resource office. For example, at Edwards Airforce Base and other air bases, the local resource is the Airman and Family Readiness Center.

Read original article: Support Available for Military Families with Special Needs

May Institute Provides Autism Therapies in Military Communities

scottie — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 18:40:40 +0000

Teaser:

The May Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders has increased its presence in the Kentucky/Tennessee military arena.

Body:

The May Institute has increased its presence in the Kentucky/Tennessee military arena. They are now offering services for families stationed at Ft. Cambell. The May Institute focuses on applied behavior analyisis (ABA) therapy, which is supported by the TRICARE ECHO Program and Enhanced Access to Autism Services Demonstration program. Ft. Campbell autism services increases May’s presence to military installations in 10 states in the U.S. Military families have a more difficult time finding therapies for their children; they move frequently, and a parent may be deployed.

Read original article: New Autism Services Available in Kentucky/Tennessee

Innovative Autism Network (IAN) is One-Stop-Resource Shop for Kids with Autism

scottie — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

Marcela Nunez created Innovative Autism Network (IAN) as a single place where children with autism could receive all their therapy needs.

Body:

Marcela Nunez created Innovative Autism Network (IAN) as a single place where children with autism could receive all their therapy needs. IAN, in Connecticut, currently offers support to families as well as music and exercise therapy. IAN’s goal is to provide insurance-covered physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and social and emotional therapy. “When IAN opened, we were already approved providers for ABA therapy for Aetna, Tricare and Cigna,” said Nunez. Having therapies under one roof allows therapists to communicate about the children they help and keeps parents from having to travel from therapist to therapist to get treatment for their children.

Read original article: One-Stop Resource Site for Autistic Children Sees Path to Profits in Year

Military Families Get Some Assistance for Their Children with Autism

scottie — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 19:21:31 +0000

Teaser:

Military families move frequently, and it is difficult to re-establish services and obtain new resources for their children with autism.

Body:

Military families move frequently, and it is difficult to re-establish services and obtain new resources for their children with autism. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) has recently introduced legislation called the Uniformed Services with Autism (USA) Heroes Act, which will provide continuing coverage and care. Currently military families are dependent on TRICARE, which provides only limited applied behavior analysis (ABA) coverage. Gillibrand and the military families she represents understand that early intervention is key to autism therapy, and that ABA may be medically necessary not just as a special education issue.

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Military Families Deal with Personal War Against Autism

scottie — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:26:28 +0000

Teaser:

Autism in military families is 1 in 88 children as compared to 1 in 150 children in the general population, yet autism services are often difficult to come by for military children.

Body:

Autism in military families is 1 in 88 children as compared to 1 in 150 children in the general population, yet autism services are often difficult to come by for military children. The situation is made more difficult when one of the parents is deployed overseas. It has been hard for some families of children with autism to receive early intervention coverage from the armed forces insurer, Tricare. Major Andy Hilmes, his wife, and son are one such family - Maj. Hilmes is deployed in Iraq and Drew has autism. Near Ft. Hood, the nation's largest military base, in Killeen Texas, Nancy Champlin opened the area's first applied behavior analysis (ABA) early intervention center. Autism Concepts Incorporated "specializes in language and communication, play skills and social skills using research based interventions." And even more importantly, the center works with parents on skills to use at home.

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Military Working to Improve Care for Children with Autism

scottie — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:02:32 +0000

Teaser:

Body:

It is difficult enough when families move from Army base to Army base, not to mention overseas deployments for one or both parents, but when a child with autism is involved, the hardships are increased. The military provides some coverage for applied behavior analysis (ABA), speech therapy, and occupational therapy, but active duty parents still struggle. Many times one parent will stay in a city that provides excellent intervention for their child, while the other parent moves. The Department of Defense is working in several areas: Army Community Service, Officer and Civilian Women's Clubs, and Tricare (the active duty insurance company); in addition, respite care services can be found.

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