what causes autism in children

WORCESTER, MA…

Many parents of children with autism spectrum disorders have found applications like Proloquo2go App, TouchChat, OneVoice or TapToTalk to be very useful tools in their child’s speech development. Unfortunately, with the costs associated with programs for ASD children, many parents can’t afford to buy an iPad to run these helpful applications. There are, however, some insurance providers who will cover part or all of the expense of an iPad and applications.

“One of the challenges parents of children with ASDs face is not knowing what’s available for their children through their insurance provider and through their school system and that’s one of the things we help them with,” said Dr. Jeff Robinson, Ph.D., founder of Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI), a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with autism in Central Massachusetts. “It’s encouraging that healthcare providers are seeing the value of these apps and covering all or part of the expense.”

How do you find out if you are eligible? First, check your medical benefits for your “Durable Medical Coverage”. If your healthcare provider covers a percentage of these costs that makes it affordable to move forward, call your insurance company and ask to be assigned to a case manager who is experienced with special needs children.

In working with a case manager, you will need to essentially build a case for your child’s need for the iPad and, specifically, the Proloquo2goApp (this app is be is being introduced by speech therapists and occupational therapists in public schools for special needs kids as well as in private therapy). Provide links with costs for both the iPad and the application. Also send links to more expensive speech therapy systems like Dynavox to demonstrate how what you want to purchase compares to other systems. Be sure to ask the case manager for all the necessary approval codes and coverage information so you are aware and comfortable with any out-of-pocket expenses you may incur.

“During the phone conversation, you may be denied your request. If so, ask your insurance company to e-mail or fax a letter of denial. The reason for this is that there are other funding sources out there that might be able to help and you will need the denial letter from your insurance to help those efforts,” said Robinson.

If you have received the green light from your case manager, submit your Request for Approval with the following:

• Include a cover letter explaining what you would like to purchase and why.  Explain how it will be used and what benefits it would provide your child.
• Supporting documents from Google, etc.
• Letters from doctors, speech therapists, etc. expressing “Medical Necessity”
• Receipt of the device and the AugCom App

“Most likely, you will have to be reimbursed for your purchase of the iPad and application. Your reimbursement package should be fairly similar to the request for approval, only the cover letter will explain what you bought and for what reason, along with receipts,” said Robinson. “It may sound like quite a bit of effort, but it is absolutely worth give your child a learning tool like this.”

About Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI)

Founded in 2002, BCI provides educational, behavioral, consultative and assessment services to children with autism and their families. These services are based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and are tailored to the unique needs of the individuals BCI works with. It’s BCI’s goal to maximize student potential, increase independence and enhance our clients’ quality of life within their home, school and community.

BCI’s main care center is located at 170 Goddard Memorial Drive, in Worcester, Massachusetts. BCI operates its BASICS services at 100 Hartwell Street in West Boylston, Mass. The BASICS program is a sub-contract arrangement between Behavioral Concepts, Inc. and the Central Massachusetts Special Education Collaborative. BASICS provides services to children aged 7-22 with autism and maladaptive behaviors. BCI’s Corporate Offices are located in Mansfield, Mass.

For complete information, visit http://bciaba.org or to arrange a consultation with a BCI clinician, please call (508) 363-0200.

Will your insurance pay for an iPad for your child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)Read More

WORCESTER, MA…

Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI), a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with autism in Central Massachusetts, recently announced the expansion of its fellowship program with Worcester State University. Starting March 26, BCI will be accepting applications for students looking to intern during the fall of 2013.

“We’re in the business of teaching very important skills to children with autism. Yet the learning is certainly not limited to our students. I think as instructors and clinicians, we learn every bit as much from our students as they do from us,” said BCI Founder and Director Dr. Jeffrey Robinson. “For a college student who wants to be in that kind of environment, I can promise you will get quite a bit more out of this experience than course credits.”

Adds Robinston,”We’ve had a great relationship with Worcester State University in bringing over interns to work with our students but we certainly welcome applicants from other universities looking to earn course credit while gaining invaluable work experience in an extremely rewarding field.”

BCI interns typically are college students with aspirations of being a clinical coordinator or therapists. BCI interns have typically been psychology, education, special education and criminal justice, though all majors are welcome to apply. Students must receive course credit to participate in BCI’s internship program.

Interested applicants can stop by BCI’s booth at Worcester State University’s Career Fair on March 26. The fair takes place on Worcester State’s campus at 486 Chandler Street in Worcester. After March 26, interested applicants can also send a cover letter and resume to info@bciaba.org or by snail mail to: Behavioral Concepts, Inc., 170 Goddard Memorial Drive, Worcester, MA  01603, ATTN: Dr. Jeffrey Robinson.

About Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI)

Founded in 2002, BCI provides educational, behavioral, consultative and assessment services to children with autism and their families. These services are based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and are tailored to the unique needs of the individuals BCI works with. It’s BCI’s goal to maximize student potential, increase independence and enhance our clients’ quality of life within their home, school and community.

BCI’s main care center is located at 170 Goddard Memorial Drive, in Worcester, Massachusetts. BCI operates its BASICS services at 100 Hartwell Street in West Boylston, Mass. The BASICS program is a sub-contract arrangement between Behavioral Concepts, Inc. and the Central Massachusetts Special Education Collaborative. BASICS provides services to children aged 7-22 with autism and maladaptive behaviors. BCI’s Corporate Offices are located in Mansfield, Mass.

For complete information, visit http://bciaba.org or to arrange a consultation with a BCI clinician, please call (508) 363-0200.

Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI) offers internship opportunities for college students for fall 2013Read More

WORCESTER, MA…

Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI), a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with autism in Central Massachusetts, recently hired Michael Karanja as a clinical coordinator. Karanja has previously worked in a similar capacity at Melmark New England.

As a clinical coordinator at BCI, Karanja will write programs for skills development, behavioral support programs and other developmental services for more than a dozen BCI clients in Central Massachusetts who are living with autism. Those programs can consist of social skills, community safety skills, academic and pre-academic skills, classroom participation, health and ADL skills.

“As a growing company, it’s important to not only fill the positions where we have need but do so wisely with talented and experienced individuals. Michael certainly fits that bill and will be a tremendous asset in helping our students develop the skills they need, both in the home and in the classroom,” said BCI Founder and Director Dr. Jeff Robinson.

Originally from Kenya and now a Dracut, Mass. resident, Karanja holds a Master’s degree in Special Education from Salem State University (he did his undergraduate work in his native Kenya). He holds a Board Certification in Behavior Analysis (BCBA) and is a licensed special education teacher in the state of Massachusetts.

“I had friends who knew people who worked at BCI and they spoke very highly of the company and the high quality of care and teaching they provide. After being here a few weeks, I can honestly say Dr. Robinson and our staff have certainly lived up to that high praise and then some,” said Karanja.

Based in Worcester, Mass and with offices in Mansfield and West Boylston, Mass., BCI provides much needed services to children with autism and their families. BCI instructional programs are delivered using discrete trial training, task analysis, and systematic prompting procedures implemented by ABA therapists who have successfully completed pre-service training, on-site, and quarterly evaluations by their clinical supervisors. Instruction is provided across a variety of domains, included by not limited to: Activities of daily living, functional and augmentative communication, functional academics and community outings and safety awareness. Social skills groups with peer models are also offered as part of BCI’s services. A heavy emphasis is placed on generalization and maintenance of skills, in addition to family training, so that families may implement the supports and carry-over skills in the home.

BCI accepts Harvard-Pilgrim, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Behavioral Health, Tufts, Aetna and coverage from other major health care providers.

For complete information, visit http://bciaba.org or to arrange a consultation with a BCI clinician, please call (508) 363-0200.

About Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI)

Founded in 2002, BCI provides educational, behavioral, consultative and assessment services to children with autism and their families. These services are based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and are tailored to the unique needs of the individuals BCI works with. It’s BCI’s goal to maximize student potential, increase independence and enhance our clients’ quality of life within their home, school and community.

BCI’s main care center is located at 170 Goddard Memorial Drive, in Worcester, Massachusetts. BCI operates its BASICS services at 100 Hartwell Street in West Boylston, Mass. The BASICS program is a sub-contract arrangement between Behavioral Concepts, Inc. and the Central Massachusetts Special Education Collaborative. BASICS provides services to children aged 7-22 with autism and maladaptive behaviors. BCI’s Corporate Offices are located in Mansfield, Mass.

For complete information, visit http://bciaba.org or to arrange a consultation with a BCI clinician, please call (508) 363-0200.

Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI) hires Dracut resident Michael Karanja as clinical coordinatorRead More

WORCESTER, MA…

Having a child with autism can present many challenges. One of them is finding programs that can teach your child developmental and social skills. The second is finding programs that your health insurance covers. Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI), a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with autism in Central Massachusetts, recently launched a Saturday morning social skills program that’s covered by all the insurance carriers who work with the Worcester-based firm.

“We’re delighted to have a program like our Saturday morning social skills program that provides the children with the training needed, but in an environment where they can interact with peers and develop those skills,” said Dr. Jeffrey Robinson, BCI founder and director. “That our insurance carriers see the value in the program and want to make it available to their customers is just icing on the cake.”

BCI accepts Harvard-Pilgrim, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Behavioral Health, Tufts, Aetna, Fallon and coverage from other major health care providers for the social skills program.

The social skills program is a three-hour session on Saturday mornings, from 9:30 to 12:30. In addition to instruction from BCI clinicians, the sessions include interaction with other children who serve as role models for BCI students involved in the social skills program.

“The role model students provide a critical element to the social skills program. They give our students a chance to see appropriate behaviors—waiting your turn, raising your hand—in an activity-based setting,” said Robinson. “The other critical part is that we have a very high instructor to student ratio, typically three students per instructor. That gives instructors the chance to utilize the peer models for appropriate skills and reinforce the good behaviors.”

There is no age limit for the social skills program. BCI accepts all major insurance companies or private pay at a rate of $35-$50 per hour depending on the student/staff ratio your child needs. Parents or guardians interested in this program for their students can call (508) 363-0200. For complete information on BCI, visit http://bciaba.org.

About Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI)

Founded in 2002, BCI provides educational, behavioral, consultative and assessment services to children with autism and their families. These services are based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and are tailored to the unique needs of the individuals BCI works with. It’s BCI’s goal to maximize student potential, increase independence and enhance our clients’ quality of life within their home, school and community.

BCI’s main care center is located at 170 Goddard Memorial Drive, in Worcester, Massachusetts. BCI operates its BASICS services at 100 Hartwell Street in West Boylston, Mass. The BASICS program is a sub-contract arrangement between Behavioral Concepts, Inc. and the Central Massachusetts Special Education Collaborative. BASICS provides services to children aged 7-22 with autism and maladaptive behaviors. BCI’s Corporate Offices are located in Mansfield, Mass.

For complete information, visit http://bciaba.org or to arrange a consultation with a BCI clinician, please call (508) 363-0200.

A Saturday morning social. Behavioral Concepts, Inc., a child autism services company, adds weekend social skills groups to its offerings.Read More

WORCESTER, MA…

Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI), a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with autism in Central Massachusetts, recently hired Christine Apostol as a clinical coordinator. Apostol comes to BCI from the Cambridge Public School system as a behavioral specialist.

As a clinical coordinator at BCI, Apostol will write programs for skills development, behavioral support programs and other developmental services for more than a dozen BCI clients in Central Massachusetts who are living with autism. Those programs can consist of social skills, community safety skills, academic and pre-academic skills, classroom participation, health and ADL skills.

“Christine’s experience working in the Cambridge public school system, as well as her previous time in the Action public school system, make her an invaluable addition to our team of ABA clinicians,” said BCI Founder and Director Dr. Jeff Robinson.

A Worcester, Mass. native and current resident, Apostol holds a Master’s degree in Applied Behavioral Analysis from Northeastern University, where she also earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a concentration in special education. Apostol is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and is a member of the Berkshire Association for Behavioral Analysis and Therapy (BABAT) and the Massachusetts Association for Applied Behavioral Analysis.

“What’s great about working at BCI is the clinician to student ratio. It enables you as a clinical supervisor to provide more individual attention and that greatly benefits the student,” said Apostol.

Based in Worcester, Mass and with offices in Mansfield and West Boylston, Mass., BCI provides much needed services to children with autism and their families. BCI instructional programs are delivered using discrete trial training, task analysis, and systematic prompting procedures implemented by ABA therapists who have successfully completed pre-service training, on-site, and quarterly evaluations by their clinical supervisors. Instruction is provided across a variety of domains, included by not limited to: Activities of daily living, functional and augmentative communication, functional academics and community outings and safety awareness. Social skills groups with peer models are also offered as part of BCI’s services. A heavy emphasis is placed on generalization and maintenance of skills, in addition to family training, so that families may implement the supports and carry-over skills in the home.

BCI accepts Harvard-Pilgrim, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Behavioral Health, Tufts, Aetna and coverage from other major health care providers.

For complete information, visit http://bciaba.org or to arrange a consultation with a BCI clinician, please call (508) 363-0200.

About Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI)

Founded in 2002, BCI provides educational, behavioral, consultative and assessment services to children with autism and their families. These services are based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and are tailored to the unique needs of the individuals BHC works with. It’s BCI’s goal to maximize student potential, increase independence and enhance our clients’ quality of live within their home, school and community.

BCI’s main care center is located at 170 Goddard Memorial Drive, in Worcester, Massachusetts. BCI operates its BASICS services at 100 Hartwell Street in West Boylston, Mass. The BASICS program is a sub-contract arrangement between Behavioral Concepts, Inc. and the Central Massachusetts Special Education Collaborative. BASICS provides services to children aged 7-22 with autism and maladaptive behaviors. BCI’s Corporate Offices are located in Mansfield, Mass.

For complete information, visit http://bciaba.org or to arrange a consultation with a BCI clinician, please call (508) 363-0200.

Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI) hires Worcester resident Christine Apostol as clinical coordinatorRead More