FAMILIES FOR EFFECTIVE AUTISM TREATMENT

FRESNO/MADERA COUNTY

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions):

How do I know if my child has Autism?
Who belongs to FEAT-FMC?
How can I join FEAT-FMC?
Are there dues for FEAT-FMC?
What can FEAT-FMC do for me?
What can I do for FEAT-FMC?
How can I become involved?
Will FEAT-FMC provide treatment for my child?
Are the same treatment options available for autism and PDD-NOS diagnosis?
How are children selected for FEAT-FMC’s early intervention program?
How do I know which program is best for my child?
What funding sources are available for the above listed programs?
How do I get this funding?
If my child is diagnosed with autism by a qualified professional, will the diagnosis be accepted by CVRC?
What can I do if school districts or CVRC will not provide appropriate services for my child?
How can I be sure that my child will receive adequate treatment?
What services are available from Central Valley Regional Center for children with autism?
How do I recruit tutors?
What is the difference between the services provided by Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) workshop programs and clinic programs?
What other treatment options are available?

How do I know if my child has autism spectrum disorder:

How do I know if my child has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), pervasive developmental disorder--not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), or Asperger’s Syndrome?

Through evaluation and diagnosis by a knowledgeable physician or clinical psychologist who specializes in diagnosing autism.

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Who belongs to FEAT-FMC?

FEAT-FMC is open to all persons interested in improving early intervention and ongoing services for autistic children and support for the families of autistic individuals. This may include parents, relatives, friends, and professionals.

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How can I join FEAT-FMC?

Contact a FEAT-FMC Board Member or attend a FEAT-FMC Meeting, or check out I Want to Help

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Are there dues for FEAT-FMC?

No, the organization is completely voluntary and thrives on volunteer parent and professional support.

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What can FEAT-FMC do for me?

FEAT-FMC members have a common interest in helping children with autism, and so are able to provide emotional support through shared experiences, information through networking, social events, conferences, Internet resource services, and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) training.

Through Education, Advocacy and Support, FEAT organizations across the nation have developed a strong public/private partnership with government organizations, educators, school districts, advocates, corporations, doctors and families to help children with autism.

FEAT-FMC may be able to arrange or provide your child with autism with early intervention therapy, occupational therapy, start-up speech programs, evaluations, and limited follow-up consultations.

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What can I do for FEAT-FMC?

Become active in the organization by sharing your time and talents to help FEAT-FMC achieve its goals.

Activities that FEAT-FMC is maintaining:

  • Advocacy assistance
  • Educational materials for parents & professionals
  • Fund-raising
  • Individual Education Plan (IEP) assistance
  • Parent Resource Group
  • Support for Early Autism Treatment
  • Training
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How can I become involved?

Help is always welcome; contact a FEAT-FMC member or officer.

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Will FEAT-FMC provide treatment for my child?

No. However, FEAT-FMC will assist parents of children with autism with finding early autism treatment programs, start-up speech programs, occupational therapy, and assessments.

FEAT-FMC encourages parents to be advocates for their children in seeking support from their local school districts and Central Valley Regional Center (CVRC).

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Are the same treatment options available for autism and PDD-NOS diagnosis?

Yes. All children with autism spectrum disorder including PDD-NOS can benefit from early intensive intervention programs. An informed clinician can help parents determine the most effective treatment program for their child.

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How are children selected for FEAT-FMC’s early intervention program?

Children between 18 and 60 months diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder by a developmental pediatrician or clinical psychologist are eligible for consideration for this program.

What resources are available for early intervention programs?
 

Name   Telephone Number
ABC School and home program   (916) 364-7800
Advance Kids   (916) 920-4012
BECA   (916) 419-4427
BEST - Behavior Intervention   (916) 923-0913
Bridges Behavioral Lang. Sys.   (916) 924-3687
Central Valley Autism Project   (209) 521-4791
Lovaas Institute for Early Intervention   (916) 979-9398
Therapeutic Pathways   (209) 572-2589
FABAS   (559) 229-1540

 

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How do I know which program is best for my child?

Parents must educate themselves about each program. This is done by visiting programs, talking to parents involved, discussions with the program provider, and reading peer-reviewed research in the area of applied behavior analysis (ABA).

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What funding sources are available for the above listed programs?

School districts and Central Valley Regional Center (CVRC) are required by law to provide services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Schools are required to provide appropriate educational services. CVRC is required to provide/fund services to maximize the individual’s potential.

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How do I get this funding?

Each agency has its own criteria for funding eligibility, often on an individual basis. Contact the agency directly for information on evaluation and eligibility.

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If my child is diagnosed with autism by a qualified professional, will the diagnosis be accepted by CVRC?

CVRC has guaranteed that all autism diagnosis by qualified professionals will be accepted as eligible for services.

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What can I do if school districts or CVRC will not provide appropriate services for my child?

Both have appeal processes where parents can present information for reconsideration. FEAT-FMC will help parents find professional resources for the appeal process in order to gain adequate services for their children.

Contact a FEAT-FMC member or officer for additional information.

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How can I be sure that my child will receive adequate treatment?

It is the responsibility of the parents to be persistent in pursuing treatment opportunities and evaluation.

Appropriate education and treatment programs are mandated by the State of California. Both CVRC and the school districts carry this responsibility.

Parents need to become informed of laws concerning treatment and education of their children and treatment alternatives available. Your rights are only what you know.

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What services are available from CVRC for children with autism?

CVRC has provided the following services to children with autism. Services are based on the individual child’s and family’s needs as determined by the Interdisciplinary Team, composed of parents or guardians and regional center staff:

A child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder is eligible to enter CVRC’s Early Autism Treatment (EAT) program from approximately two years of age until approximately 5 years of age and, under many circumstances, older.
 

  • Adaptive skills development (i.e., potty training with a behaviorist).
  • Assistance in specialized and safety equipment (i.e., adaptive devices, special car seats, etc.).
  • Advocacy assistance (i.e., with school districts).
  • After school recreation programs to facilitate age appropriate skills.
  • After school behavior programs in conjunction with school district-provided programs.
  • Behavioral assessment (periodically).
  • Behavioral intervention for social skills and problem behaviors.
  • Behavior consultant follow-up support. The consultant usually sees the child once or twice a month or as necessary.
  • Counseling for the client with a disability and for family members (up to 8 sessions initially with additional sessions as necessary).
  • Daily living skills training.
  • Developmental testing (periodically).
  • Diapers (after four years of age).
  • Evaluation and diagnosis.
  • Homemaker services.
  • Lekotec play therapy.
  • Music therapy.
  • Occupational therapy, including sensory integration.
  • Parent training.
  • Respite hours (child care) are provided based on level of client family need.
  • Speech therapy.
  • Training conferences as part of the trainer process.
  • Tutor support (up to 40 hours per week) and, if an Early Intervention Consultant (senior tutor) is used, up to 6 hours per week of Early Intervention Consultant hours. Double tutor hours are pro-vided based on the child’s and program’s needs. Hours for team meetings are also provided.

A complete list of services and supports is located in the Welfare and Institutions Code, Section 4512 (b).

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How do I recruit tutors?

Contact a FEAT-FMC member or officer. Parents can post flyers at colleges and/or make presentations at college classes. Friends, relatives, and neighbors can also be recruited. Families are responsible for interviewing and selecting their own tutors (if the family is receiving services through an ABA workshop program).

FEAT-FMC does not screen tutors. FEAT-FMC recommends families interview carefully and take advantage of the fingerprinting process to check for criminal history.

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What is the difference between the services provided by Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) workshop programs and clinic programs?

For ABA Workshop (in-home) Programs, the parents recruit tutors and a senior therapist. A professional ABA consultant guides the program through consultations with the parents, senior therapist and tutors.

Under ABA Clinic (in-home) Programs, all services are provided by the professional ABA consulting organization, including the professional consultant, tutors, and senior therapist.

For both types of programs, parents are required to secure funding for the services, either from CVRC, school districts, or other sources.

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What other treatment options are available?

  • Auditory Training (AT)
  • Behavioral Programs
  • Division TEACCH in North Carolina
  • Music Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Options - Sunrise Program
  • Sensory Integration (SI)
  • Special diets
  • Speech Therapy
  • Therapeutic horseback riding
  • Vitamin Therapy (Super Nuthera / DMG)

FEAT-FMC advocates for peer-reviewed research-based treatment options. Each parent is advised to research the available treatment opportunities and make a decision based on their child's needs.

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