Author: golden-user

This article first was first published in The Source on July 5th 2019. 

People with disabilities have been given a lot more opportunities than ever before. They have the same opportunities in learning new talents, jobs, and education. But there is one opportunity that is missing for them. That opportunity is true inclusion and friendship.

People with disabilities had been stereotyped as anti-social. This is false! Not all people with disabilities are like that. A lot of them want to have healthy able friends in their lives who can look up to them and help them whenever they are struggling. Whether someone has a disability or not, being friends with neurotypical people is a right, not a privilege. People with disabilities complain about being left out from social activities such as texting, calling, going to the movie theater, going out to eat, hanging out at the beach and at parties. When people with disabilities complain about being left out from these social activities, it means that they may feel upset about their lives.

We have the option to participate in activities such as going to restaurants, movie theaters, and going to the beach alone. But doing these activities without friends is not fun. Telling excuses to leave someone with a disability out from fun activities is bad for their health.

Not giving people with disabilities the opportunity to hang out and keep in touch with the general population is not only boring for them, but it can also damage their communication skills, behavior, education, and employment. If it would hurt your feelings for people to restrict you from hanging out or keeping in touch with you, why would you do it to people who are different from you?

Many people mistake people with disabilities to be annoying. The behavior of people with disabilities does not mean they are trying to alienate us. It means that they want someone to make them feel better. Friendship and compassion are the most pleasant ways to make them feel better.

Including people with disabilities is more than just being an acquaintance with them and avoiding saying hurtful things to them. True inclusion of people with disabilities means allowing them to talk to you. It also takes compassion, common sense, and an open mind to talk to them. If you witness something different in someone, it means that they have a disability. The disability does not make them a bad person. Don’t always see people with disabilities with your eyes, see them with your heart!

The second ingredient to true inclusion is allowing them to keep in touch with you, whether it is through calling, texting, instant messaging, Face Timing, Snapchatting, or even through a video game server. If they talk in a different way than neurotypical people like the rest of us while keeping in touch with you, take the time and talk to them in their style. Be courteous not to ignore or block them when they want to talk to you.

The third ingredient is allowing them to do fun things with you or even your group of friends. You may meet someone with a disability at school, church, volunteer program, or at work. Talking to them just for when you see them there may be satisfying to them, but it will only satisfy them for a short amount of time. Talking to them in that concept only will make them sad or angry during their free time such as the weekend or summer break.

People with disabilities like going to restaurants, beaches, movie theaters, birthday parties, the bowling alley, and the mall as much as the rest of us. How would you feel if you were forbidden from going to these places? People with disabilities either go to these places alone under supervision by a guardian or they don’t go to these places at all. Imagine going to these places alone under supervision by an authorized guardian without any friends. Do you think people with disabilities would rather be with friends or with authorized guardians better? If we can start hanging out with people with disabilities by giving them the time to chat and have fun together, it would save time and money for parents, guardians, caregivers, and counselors.

Treat people with disabilities the same way you wish to be treated. Let’s educate our youth of how to socialize with the disabled. Similar to Best Buddies, we need to have more extracurricular activities and events that allow people with disabilities to hang out with the rest of us.

Whoever you are, enjoy your passion in sports, cheerleading, band, choir, theater, honors classes, art, computer graphics, video games, comedy, agriculture, or anything you dream of. But just remember this, if someone is lower than you, allow them to talk to you about your passions. For example, your passion in the choir can soothe them or your passion in honors classes can help them memorize things better.

Money can’t buy happiness, but true inclusion can! Remember to let your friendship with the disabled person follow up with them not only when you see them in the hallways, but during the weekends, holidays, and summer breaks too!

You can find out more information about Tim’s great work on his website Tips4Inclusion and on his Facebook page.

If you’re a parent searching for ABA therapy for your child, then you probably have a ton of questions about what to look for in an ABA therapist. That’s completely understandable, as the right therapist can have a hugely positive and lasting impact on your son or daughter. 

However, you may not be fully confident about what makes a good ABA therapist, especially if this is your first experience with ABA therapy. So to help you along your journey we’ve put together this quick guide on what to look for in an ABA therapist.

First off, what is ABA therapy?

You have no doubt already read plenty of material on what is ABA therapy, so we’ve kept this section brief. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a common type of therapy for people with autism. It focuses on improving specific behaviors and skills in people with autism, such as social skills, communication and domestic activities.

At a very high level, this is how the process works:

• An ABA therapist identifies a needed skill
• As the child engages in the desired skill or appropriate behavior they gain access to reinforcing items
• Over time, this reinforcement encourages the child to continue engaging in the targeted skills   

How is ABA therapy delivered?

ABA therapy services must be provided by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). A BCBA is not a physician, however the training and qualifications requirements are rigorous and include:

• A masters or PhD in psychology, behavior analysis or education.
• Passing a national certification exam
• Seeking a state license (in certain states)

The BCBA writes each treatment plan and then works with Registered Behavior Technicians (RBT) or behavior technicians, who deliver the therapy. 

Therefore, you will be teaming with two people during your child’s ABA therapy. The BCBA, who writes and monitors the treatment plan as well as supervises the person delivering the therapy, and the RBT/behavior technician, who delivers the therapy to the child.

Here’s what to look for in both of these professionals.

What’s the therapist’s previous experience?

As discussed above, all BCBAs have gone through rigorous qualifications and training. Therefore the important variable to check is what their previous experience is in the field. Ask how long they’ve been working as a BCBA and roughly how many families they’ve worked with over that time.

Ask the same questions of the RBT/behavior technician who will be delivering the therapy. Qualifications will also differ among these professionals, as unlike a BCBA, a college degree or masters is not a mandatory requirement. Therefore, inquire about their academic background as well. 

What’s their personality like?

Personality is extremely important when it comes to what makes a good ABA therapist. This is particularly the case at the RBT/Behavior Technician level, as they are the ones delivering the therapy to your child. They need to be fun and engaging and be able to form a close rapport. 

Patience is also an extremely important virtue in a good ABA therapist. You need to have confidence that even during the most challenging behavioral situations, the therapist will keep a cool head and not lose their temper. 

How personalized is the treatment plan?

The level of personalization in the treatment plan that the BCBA develops is also very important. Avoid a therapy provider that takes a cookie cutter approach to treatment plans. The plan should be personalized to your child’s needs. Therefore, it should only be written once a functional assessment has been completed.

It’s also important that the treatment plan takes into account the root causes of any behavioral issues that it plans to address. For example, a behavior issue may be identified as regular tantrums during bath time. However the BCBA should seek to identify what may be triggering this, rather than just focusing on the behavior.        

How many RBTs/Behavior Technicians does the BCBA supervise and what are the supervision processes?  

There are strict rules in place governing the supervision requirements of RBTs/behavior technicians by BCBAs. However, you should still ask a few questions here, such as how many RBTs/Behavior Technicians does the BCBA supervise and what the monthly supervision process looks like. Also ask what training procedures the BCBA has in place, for both the RBTs/Behavior Technicians, as well as for parents and teachers.  

How do they collect and use data?  

ABA therapy is grounded in scientific principles. Therefore, in order to constantly monitor progress and optimize the treatment plan, the collection and use of data is vital. Ask the provider what metrics they use to measure progress, and how they’re presented and updated. If they are using subjective measures, such as simply commenting on how your child’s general behavior is, this is unreliable.

Ultimately, data should be used to carefully track and monitor all behavior goals. This allows evidenced based decisions on all future changes and modifications to the treatment plan, ensuring it’s fully personalized to your child’s specific needs.  

How are they managing your expectations?

You will no doubt have a lot of questions for the BCBA about the results you can expect to see and how long this will take. It goes without saying that every child is unique, therefore it’s impossible for a BCBA to give any specific time frames or promises at the very start. If a therapist makes big promises and commits to specific timeframes, then they are setting unrealistic expectations. 

And lastly, it’s fine to ask for a trial period first 

As a parent, your number one priority is ensuring that your child is receiving the best possible ABA therapy. In which case it’s fine to ask for a trial period first, before you commit to a therapy provider. 

During this period, examine how well the therapist is interacting with your child and if they’re forming a positive and relaxed relationship. And remember, modern ABA therapy is not aversive and does not use punishments for bad behavior, so monitor how the therapist manages difficult behavior situations with your child. 

Ultimately, you have to be completely comfortable with your chosen provider. If it doesn’t feel right, then find another ABA provider that you feel more comfortable with.   

For more autism resources for families in New Jersey, visit our blog directory. Or if you would like to find out more about the ABA services we provide to children with autism, you can get in touch here.

Summer camp is a rite of passage that all children should be able to experience. And these days summer camp providers have really stepped up their services for children with autism and other special needs. This means that as a parent you can have confidence that your child is being cared for within a supportive and accommodating environment, allowing them to develop their social skills and build their confidence.

That’s why we’ve put together this quick guide to choosing a summer camp for autism in NJ, to help you find a camp that’s right for your child.

What are your options?

You have two broad choices when choosing autism summer camps in NJ (or in any state):

• Specialized (Inclusive) programs: These summer camps integrate typically developing children with children with autism and other special needs. The programs are designed to provide support and accessibility for every child, while maintaining a regular activity schedule.
• Exclusive programs: These summer camps are designed specifically for children with autism and other special needs. They tend to place an emphasis on socialization and other skills building, which can help to prevent regression during the summer break.

These options enable you to choose an environment that is going to best support your child and their development. Here are a few things to consider when making your choice:

• Will your child benefit from the social interactions and activities offered in an inclusive program?
• Will your child feel comfortable and confident mixing with children of all abilities?
• Are you concerned about regression during the summer break if there’s a big interruption to your child’s routine? 

How to start your autism summer camp search?

There are a number of resources you can use to find accredited autism summer camps in NJ, these include:

• The American Camp Association provides a national camp search. You can search by state and specify that you’re looking for a camp that serves children with autism. It also breaks down your options by inclusive and exclusive programs. 
• Autism New Jersey is a non-profit agency providing support to individuals with autism and their families. Their autism services database provides a list of New Jersey summer camps with autism programs.

How to choose a Summer camp that’s right for your child? 

Research is the key to choosing a camp that’s right for your child. Once you’ve searched the online databases, make a shortlist based on your criteria. Once you’ve narrowed down your options to just a handful you can then attend camp open days. This gives you the chance to tour the facilities and speak to staff about the programs and provisions they have in place. 

A few things to ask during these visits include:

• What is the staff to camper ratio?
• What training have staff members received (both general and autism specific)?
• How are behavioral issues managed?
• What is the camp‘s experience with children with disabilities?

The American Camp Association also has some useful resources on their website. This includes a guide to what camps have to do in order to accommodate children of all abilities and resources to help children with special needs. 

What about an Extended School Year (ESY) Program?

Extended School Year (ESY) programs are often brought up when discussing summer camps for autism. This is because ESY programs can often be delivered as part of a child’s summer camp program.

ESY services are provided by local school districts during long breaks to prevent a substantial regression in skills. You may have already discussed this during the annual IEP review. But if you haven’t and wish to discuss this, you should speak to your child’s school as soon as possible. Here’s a useful article by Autism New Jersey on determining eligibility for ESY programs. 

Are you looking for financial assistance?  

If you’re looking for financial assistance to cover some or all of the costs, then there are a number of options available.

• CARE Family Grant Program provides financial support to people with autism and their families, including summer camp costs. Grants are open to anyone in the US with a household income below $75k per annum.
• ASDF Social Skills Camp accept applications from families who have found an accredited summer camp for their child with autism and are in need of financial support.
• VARGHESE SUMMERSETT provide scholarship programs throughout the year for children with developmental needs, which can be used to offset the cost of summer camp.  

Or if you’re eligible for services through the New Jersey Children’s System of Care (CSOC), you can apply for funding for summer camp services. More information is available on the summer camp page on their website.   

And finally

Every child is unique, as is the care and support that each child requires. This guide to autism summer camps in NJ provides general advice on how to find a program for your child. But as a parent, you’ll know what’s best for your child and which summer camp environment will help them grow and prosper the most. 

For more autism resources for families in New Jersey, visit our blog directory. Or if you would like to find out more about the ABA services we provide to children with autism, you can get in touch here.

While an autism diagnosis can be tough for any family, there are many autism support groups and charities in New Jersey that can help you cope with this challenge. 

For your convenience we have compiled a list of some of the major autism support groups in NJ.

(You can also download a detailed list of 15 autism support organizations here).

Autism Support Groups in New Jersey

The Arc of New Jersey

The Arc of New Jersey is the largest non profit organization in the state that’s dedicated to helping families with autism navigate the system of care. The website hosts an incredible range of resources across lots of formats, including webinars, Facebook Live events and even podcasts. 

For parents or caregivers in need of immediate help navigating the system, just submit a problem intake form to receive direct support from a member of staff. The organization also provides events on a weekly basis, check their events calendar for more information.     

Autism New Jersey

Autism New Jersey is a non profit organization committed to helping people with autism, their families and professionals that work with them to have fulfilling lives. They offer a range of services within New Jersey. This includes a free helpline (800.4.AUTISM) and online directory which provides up to date advice on autism treatments and services. 

The organization also provides a wealth of online resources for parents and professionals. In addition to this they regularly host a schedule of workshops and webinars throughout the state.   

Parents of Autisic Children (POAC)

POAC is a non-profit that aims to make a difference for every child with autism in New Jersey. They run hundreds of events each year for the autism community. These include everything from support and social groups for parents, pool parties for children and dances for teens with ASD. So if you’re looking for social activities for you or your children, this is a great support network in which to be part.

POAC also provides plenty of online resources for parents and professionals. And finally, another great service you’ll find here is NJ Autism Warriors which is an online support group for parents with children with autism.  

Autism Family Services of New Jersey

Autism Family Services of New Jersey (AFSNJ), an affiliate of the Family Resource Network, is dedicated to ensuring a better quality of life for individuals with autism and their families. They provide a range of services and assistance programs, including after school clubs, career planning assistance and scholarships. 

Once a year the AFSNJ also hosts the Autism Beach Bash. Hosted in Belmar, this is the largest gathering in NJ of people with autism and their families. It includes surfing, arts and crafts, dance and plenty of other interactive activities.

Easterseals New Jersey

Easterseals New Jersey is a non profit with more than 70 years of experience helping people with ASD and other special needs. Their support services are aimed more towards the adult population and are split into three categories: Live, Learn and Work. The Live program provides residential services. The Learn program provides case management and behavior services. While the Work program provides training and supported employment.     

Eden Autism

Eden Autism is a New Jersey autism support group non profit. It aims to provide a lifetime of support to people with autism as well as their families, teachers, employers, caregivers and friends. Their services include an infant and toddler program, a private school and adults services. They also host a regular program of events within the New Jersey community.

State of New Jersey Autism Resources

The State of New Jersey provides plenty of resources and support for people with autism and their families. The Department of Human Services provides public funding for services and support that assists New Jersey adults living with autism, while the Department of Education provides these resources for parents and families. You can also download this comprehensive guide to navigating the NJ service systems for individuals with ASD which provides in depth advice to families.

Conclusion

The above organizations are some of the largest autism support groups in NJ. However there are dozens of other groups available such as autism parent support groups in New Jersey.

We hope you found this list useful. Please reach out if there is another group that you think we want to add to this list or if you want to learn more about working with the best ABA therapy provider in NJ.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a common type of therapy for people with autism. We know that parents can have a lot of questions about ABA therapy before they feel comfortable making an informed decision.

Therefore, we’ve put together this guide explaining what is ABA therapy for autism. This is based on the questions that parents ask us on a regular basis here at Golden Care Therapy.

What is the purpose of ABA therapy? 

Applied behavior analysis therapy focuses on improving specific behaviors and skills in people with autism. Some of these behaviors include:

• Social skills
• Communication
• Reading, studying and academics
• Fine motor dexterity 
• Hygiene and grooming
• Domestic activities

How does it work?

ABA treatment is based on proven scientific theories from the behavior field of psychology, such as operant conditioning and Antecedent-Behavior-Consequences (ABC). Essentially, ABA seeks to encourage desired behavior through a system of rewards and consequences.

Here’s how it works in practice:

• An ABA therapist identifies a needed skill
• As the child engages in the desired skill or appropriate behavior they gain access to reinforcing items.
• Over time, these rewards encourage the child to continue engaging in the targeted skills   

Where do therapy sessions take place?

Session locations will depend on the therapy provider and your requirements. They can take place in the home, at daycares or within therapy centers. Here at Golden Care Therapy, we specialize in in-home and community ABA therapy, as well as social skills groups.

what’s the recommended amount of aba therapy?

There is no recommended amount of ABA therapy. However, weekly therapy typically ranges from 10 to 20 hours.  

Who provides ABA therapy and what training do they have?

ABA therapy services must be provided by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). A BCBA is not a physician, however the training and qualifications requirements are vigorous and include:

• A masters or PhD in psychology or behavior analysis or education.
• Passing a national certification exam
• Seeking a state license (in certain states)

The BCBA writes each treatment plan and then works with Registered Behavior Technicians (RBT) or behavior technicians, who deliver the therapy. 

What’s an ABA treatment plan and how does it work?

You will hear the term “treatment plan” used a lot in applied behaviour analysis therapy. A treatment plan is a written document that lays out structure of your child’s ABA treatment.

BCBAs use interviews, assessments and observations to create individual treatment plans. This is a collaborative process which parents are involved with throughout.

The treatment plan with contain specific treatment goals. Your child’s ABA therapy will then be based around these treatment goals. To ensure that everyone involved with your child’s development is on the same page, it will also contain strategies for parents, caregivers and teachers. The plan is then  regularly monitored and updated as progress is made.

On a more practical point, insurers usually require a treatment plan before coverage can be confirmed.

DOES my health insurance Provide cover?

The short answer is yes. However, the specifics of insurance coverage depends on a few factors. 

Firstly, you need to check what type of benefit plan you have. This will determine what protections are in place at either the state or federal level:

• Fully insured plans (or otherwise state regulated plans): These plans are regulated by state law and all 50 states have taken action to require coverage for ABA therapy. Here’s a complete list of autism coverage by state.
• Self funded plans: These plans are regulated by federal law. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act prohibits insurers from imposing more restrictions on mental health treatments compared to other medical and surgical treatments. Therefore, insurers can’t place limitations on ASD therapies, if no such limitations exist for the treatment or other medical conditions. 

Once you’ve determined what type of benefit plan you have, you can check your state coverage (if on a fully insured plan), then talk to your insurer to confirm coverage. If you live in New Jersey, you can also read our detailed guide to autism insurance coverage in NJ.

What’s the science behind ABA therapy?

Both the US Surgeon General and the American Psychological Association consider applied behavior analysis therapy to be an evidence-based best practice treatment. 

Over 20 studies have proven that ABA therapy delivered for between 1 to 3 years, improves outcomes for many children with autism. These improved outcomes include intellectual functioning, language development and social functioning.

Want to find out more about?

We hope that this blog post has helped to answer some of the questions you have around what is ABA therapy for autism. 

Our blog provides lots of resources for parents of children with autism, including other information on ABA therapy. The blog also contains other practical advice articles for parents.

If you live in New Jersey and would like to find out more about the ABA services we provide to children with autism, you can get in touch here.

For parents of children with autism, one of the first things to clarify after receiving an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis is the insurance coverage. Thankfully, insurance coverage in New Jersey, at both the state and federal level, provide plenty of protections for patients. 

In this guide to insurance coverage for ASD in NJ, we provide an overview of the protections in place.

First off, what type of benefit plan do you have?

The first thing you need to do is confirm what type of benefit plan you have, as this will determine which health benefits are covered. This will either be:

• A fully insured plan/small group plan/NJ State Health Benefits and the School Employees’ Health Benefits Programs: These plans are regulated by state law, and the New Jersey Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities Mandate 2009 provides specific provisions. The below section provides more details on this.   
• A Self funded plan: These plans are regulated by federal law, rather than state law. As such, these plans have different provisions for ASD coverage. The below section provides more details on these provisions.  

If you’re not sure which type of benefit plan you have, speak to your employer or your insurer. Generally speaking, smaller businesses provide fully insured plans, while larger businesses provide self funded plans.  

coverage on fully insured plans

For parents with fully insured plans, the Autism Insurance Mandate 2009 provides a number of robust protections for patients. These include:

• Prohibiting the denial of coverage on the basis that therapy is not restorative.
• Mandating coverage for incurred expenses for occupational, physical and speech therapy that is medically necessary.
• Mandating coverage for Applied Behaviour Analysis to treat a primary diagnosis of ASD, if it’s prescribed through a treatment plan. 

When the mandate first came into effect, it placed a number of restrictions and limitations on cover. This included:a cap of $36,000 and a 30-visit maximum for therapies per annum, as well as an age cap of 21.  

However, following the Affordable Care Act the mandate no longer has a monetary, visit or age limitation. These changes were effective as of January 2015. 

A few other important points to be aware of with the mandate include:

• Therapy must be prescribed through a treatment plan.
• While physicians are required under the mandate to create a treatment plan, many insurers allow, or in some cases require, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) to do this. You should therefore confirm this with your insurer.
• Insurers may only request an updated treatment plan once every six months.  

coverage on self funded plans   

As discussed above, the Autism Insurance Mandate does not apply to self funded plans. This is due to the fact that these plans are governed by federal rather than state law. 

However, there are still patient protections in place, that can ensure cover for autism. These include:

• The Affordable Care Act. This prohibits insurers from placing annual or lifetime limits, or rejecting cover for pre-existing medical conditions
• The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. This prohibits insurers from imposing more restrictions on mental health treatments compared to other medical and surgical treatments. Therefore, insurers can’t place limitations on ASD therapies, if no such limitations exist for the treatment or other medical conditions.         

What are the next steps?

Now you know the different provisions for autism insurance coverage in the state, you can begin your conversations with your insurer to confirm coverage.  

And if you haven’t already done so, you can begin talking to treatment service providers and discuss treatment plans for your child. Your chosen treatment provider will work with you to confirm coverage with your insurance provider. 

If you want to find out more information about the treatment plans we offer, you can learn more here. 

Pumpkins are making their appearance all over, and homes and stores are sprouting spooky decorations. Halloween season is a super exciting time for most neurotypical kids, but for children with Autism, this holiday can present a unique set of challenges. So, here are some simple Halloween tips for children with Autism.

1. Prepare in Advance

Children with Autism may have a harder time adjusting to the different set of implicit rules that Halloween brings, and it’s important to prepare your child accordingly.

• Talk about the Do’s (knock on door, say thank you after receiving candy) and the Don’ts (help yourself to candy on your own).
• Try role playing trick or treating to make sure that your child feels comfortable with what is expected of him/ her.
• Create a visual story of the trick or treat routine. Go through it with your child and explain what to expect throughout.

2. Tackle the Costume Dilemma

Let’s face it. Most costumes are itchy, uncomfortable, and just plain annoying to wear. For a child with sensory processing issues, this can pose an extra issue.

• Try out theses sensory friendly Halloween costumes.
• Have your child try out the costume a week before Halloween for a few hours to see if adjustments are necessary.
• Bonus brownie points- have your child turn his/ her obsession into a Halloween costumes. Check out this link for cool inspiration!
• And remember- if your child doesn’t want to wear his/ her costume, that’s okay too! Talk about what they don’t want to wear, see if they’d like costume adjustment, but ultimately, it has to work for you and your child, not anyone else.

3. Safety First

Halloween can be a scary time for parents of children who tend to wander off. Some quick tips:

• Dress in light up when going out at night. Have your child wear light up sneakers, glow stick bracelets/ necklaces, or a reflector.
• Take a picture of your child just before leaving the house, so that you have an updated picture in what your child is currently wearing
• Consider skipping trick or treating if that doesn’t work for your child and staying home instead to greet neighborhood children together.

Keeping these Halloween tips for children with Autism in mind will hopefully ease some of the stressors of the day. But- most important of all- remember that there is no “right” way to celebrate the holiday! Keep doing what works for you, and have a Happy Halloween!

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About us: Golden Care Therapy is an ABA agency servicing  New Jersey and Pennsylvania children with Autism. We bring you the individual care of a small agency, together with the results borne of thousands of hours of successful in home ABA sessions. To learn how we can help your child, contact us today and speak with our clinical director!