Clinic Notes: Services for your Child

As I mentioned in my last post, Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) will pay for all needed services up to age three. Other states have similiar systems. But at age three, the school system where the child resides becomes responsible for paying for all services according to federal law. The problem is that the federal law, although well intentioned, does not specify the quality or quanity of the services provided. Some school recognize the importance of early intervention and are very good about paying for services when asked. Others try to get by with providing little or no services. How parents can get these much needed services for their child is the subject of my next post.
Dr. Brown

Clinic Notes: Who pays for treatment?

In Tennessee, the state where I practice, the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) will pay for health care services for a child up to age 3. Pediatricians, psychologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and other specialities are covered. And this is a good system if the child is diagnosed early enough. Parents of children under three, especially first time parents, do not know if their child has a developmental delay or is just a little slower than other children. For that reason, professionals are not consulted. Autism is one disorder that is not usually diagnosed until the child is nearly three. And then TEIS can no longer pay for needed services. I often have children, diagnosed with autism or some other neuropsychological disorder, present at my clinic and I only have a few weeks to work with them before they turn three. What happens then is the subject of my next post. Dr. Brown

Clinic Notes: What to do when your child is first diagnosed

What do you do when your child is first diagnosed? I am convinced that multiple clinical interventions at an early age can dramatically alter the course of autism or some other neuropsychological disorders and improve the quality of life for the family. Pediatric neurologists, Speech-Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, and Psychologists versed in ABA should be part of the treatment team as needed. The next question then becomes who is going to pay for these services and that will be the topic of tomorrows post.