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Today Is a New Day… Let’s Get Started
Just say “no” to same old, same old! Today is a new day, a new beginning, and time to launch a new plan to recognize dreams, live life fully, and reach optimal independence. Whether you are the caregiver of a child with a new diagnosis of autism or an individual searching for support to continue to live independently within the community, we can help you!
Everyone’s journey is unique, and so is the associated timeline. Call, click, or email to find out more about AccessAbilities services. We are here to Listen, Partner, Share Knowledge, and help you Achieve your goals.
Access(ing)Abilities Services
Wondering if your child’s social and communication skills are on par with chronological age?
Do you notice a void of imaginary play?
Are facial expressions limited?
Do others notice signs of sensory sensitivities that distress the child?
Are repetitive movements or speaking part of the child’s norm?
While AccessAbilities provides comprehensive and individualized services to children and adults, we can also diagnose too! Early intervention is important in this journey to reaching outcomes important to you. To learn more about testing for toddlers, school age children, and adults, contact us to begin your new day!
Does your child have an autism diagnosis? If so, do you have a written report from the professional who performed the evaluation?
AccessAbilities will contact your insurance carrier to verify all applicable benefits so that you understand any out-of-pocket costs.
If your child will likely receive services in the clinic setting, we would love to show you around. Scheduling a tour and date for an assessment occurs simultaneously.
AccessAbilities will reach out to your child’s physician to keep them informed and obtain any necessary signatures to request prior authorization from the insurance company.
While awaiting the approval of ABA services, the Operations Manager will work with the family to predict and hold a weekly schedule to meet the treatment plan.
Parents share goals and future dreams for your child resulting from therapy. The Behavior Analyst captures the collective goals identified through the assessment process, and those strengths and areas of need are reflected in the treatment plan provided to the insurance company.
As soon as the insurance company
approves an ABA assessment, we will schedule the assessment
appointments.
Services begin once authorization from the insurance company is received. Services may be delivered in the clinic or home setting. The Behavior Technician will work with the Behavior Analyst to implement the goals agreed upon with the family.
Most insurance companies expect parents to participate in their child’s services. Education, training, and guidance provides an optimal foundation for the child to gain new skills and generalize those skills in settings outside of therapy.
Approximately every six months, the Behavior Analyst will formally reassess the child and work with the family to revise the number of hours or goals per the treatment plan, based on progress. Insurance authorization is required to continue services.
Discharge from services occurs when goals are met, progress is no longer being made, or services are no longer funded. AccessAbilities begins planning for discharge with the family at the beginning of care.
Inquiries may come through a phone call or AAl website contact form or directly through a waiver program case manager referral.
AccessAbilities will share with the family all of the different services available to align with the individual’s goals and needs.
Your case manager will provide a “pick list” related to service interests with AccessAbilities. The pick list will be signed by the individual/family to confirm the service request.
A Notice of Action is prepared by your case manager which prompts outreach by AccessAbilities to discuss beginning services and signing service consents.
Quarterly team meetings are held to review service plan goals and reassess individual needs.
Individuals and families are encouraged to reach out with any questions or suggestions for improving services. Once the initial service transition has been
accomplished, AccessAbilities will contact the family monthly.
After staff is assigned, AccessAbilities will contact the family within the first week of service to ensure a smooth transition.
An annual meeting is held with the case manager to discuss continuation of services and needs for the coming year.
The provision of services is a mutual contract between the individual and AccessAbilities. If needs cannot be mutually achieved, a 60-day notice of discharge will be provided. AccessAbilities is committed to a partnership with families and respects family choice.
Choosing a Partner Checklist
What is expected of the caregiver / parent / family related to services?
When choosing a partner for ABA services, it is important to remember that this is about you, as a family, and your goals and priorities to achieve. ABA services should be the conduit to achieving your family unit’s goals. At AccessAbilities, you will not hear us talk about “our Treatment Plan” because you are at the center of the team developing and implementing the plan. You are crucial to your child’s progress and thus are encouraged to attend sessions, as you are able, and participate in scheduled family guidance to implement strategies so that your child can generalize new skills outside of session time.
Does the company provide training to the caregiver / parent / family?
At AccessAbilities, we are here to share our knowledge and help you apply strategies and skills to advance the opportunities of the client and family. Whether in the clinic, or home, or community setting, we are able to provide individualized care, treatment, and training to individuals and families so that you are set up to succeed. Sometimes, training is the key to advancing skills for an individual or family resulting in greater independence and less need for additional support services. For those clients in our ABA program, training is essential to collaborating with the entire team to reduce the need for clinical intervention. Discharge planning begins at the start of care, regardless of how many months clients require intensive services. We want you to be ready to navigate the day-to-day.
How often will services be provided and what will those services include?
One of the best things about AccessAbilities is our focus on the individual. So, while there is no set timetable for how long an individual or family may benefit from programming, we collaborate with the team, including the family and funding source, to set up a path for success. Some people may receive services multiple times per week for years, while others may only need support for a short period of time. Evidence-based treatment is dependent on diagnosis, level of functioning, achievable goals, and progress – all supported by the interdisciplinary team. It is not our common practice to require a minimum number of hours per week for clients receiving ABA services or to discharge a client just because they reach school-age. If the child also requires other therapies, such as Speech or Occupational Therapy or Clinical Counseling, AccessAbilities will make a referral and partner with another practitioner if services are unable to be delivered internally.
How quickly will services begin following the initial assessment?
The first step in any service provision is obtaining authorization from the funding source. This allows the family to understand what services are being approved by insurance and what, if any, personal liability will be billed to the family. AccessAbilities works to identify the best team to assign to each client, from skills to personality, we want the team members to fit well with the individual so that they have the best chance at succeeding. We will keep you informed of the progress made throughout the process. Depending on the program and funding source, you may be authorized and ready for services within 30 days of assessment. Some programs have little to no wait time, depending on the region of Indiana.
Where will services be provided?
So many programs are offered through AccessAbilities and thus the place in which services may be delivered is based on the program. For example, waiver programming may be provided in the home, community, work or school. While ABA services for children are typically provided in the clinic or home setting, or both! ABA services in the school setting are limited to the insurance company policies and access permitted by the school district.
What will be my out-of-pocket expenses?
Much like the payers reflect where services may be held, insurance plans determine what, if any, cost you may be responsible for out of pocket. Deductibles, co-pays, out of pocket maximums may sound confusing at times, however, AccessAbilities will provide you support to explain and navigate any personal expense to meet your financial requirements for services. Typically, most therapy costs are covered for people with Medicaid, as long as the services are medically necessary and approved in advance by Medicaid.
If unhappy with any aspect of service, who should I contact?
We are committed to a great service experience for all of the people we serve, however, if something does not seem right AccessAbilities encourages families to speak with their immediate supervisor on the case to resolve the issue. Other managers and leaders are also available to escalate any concern. If your concern is not resolved timely, we encourage you to reach out.
What background and training does the team have to provide services?
Certain clinical positions require graduate degrees, passing national board exams and gaining certifications. For the BCBA or Behavior Consultant role, all team members hold a minimum of a master’s degree in their respective field. AccessAbilities encourages lifelong learning, thus several of our team members commit to post-graduate academic studies providing the opportunity to offer diagnostic evaluations in our communities and lead a workforce grounded in scientific study and research. At the technician level, the Behavior Technicians are hired for aptitude and cultural fit. They must complete required training to sit for a national certification exam to become a Registered Behavior Technician within [N] months from date of hire. Everyone is required to maintain continuing education and training to perform their role well.
How much direct supervision is provided to the paraprofessional? Is it remote or onsite?
Supervision of the technician level role is scheduled and monitored. In order to maintain the RBT credential, the technician must receive supervision equal to at least 5% of all direct hours of service provided to clients. At AccessAbilities, we average closer to 20% of supervision time to provide a foundation to build confidence and successful implementation of individualized client treatment plans. In addition to one-to-one supervision, AccessAbilities offers group training, teaching, and supervision to enhance the skills of each service provider. Supervision is delivered in the clinic and home setting, in person and infrequently remote.
How long have you been in business?
AccessAbilities celebrated 20 years of business in March 2024! From our humble beginnings in Merrillville, Indiana, we are honored to have expanded our service areas to include most of the state. Our plans for the future include additional ABA clinics in northern and central Indiana and density in waiver services throughout the central and southern regions of the state.
Is this a privately owned company?
Yes! AccessAbilities is a privately owned company. Founded and operated by Renee Ramon-Doughman, who was influenced by her childhood volunteer experience with the Special Olympics and an extraordinary athlete named Jenny. AccessAbilities launched a new logo in celebration of 20 years. The heart made with two fingerprints represents the uniqueness of each person we serve, and the individualized services provided to support their distinct goals.
How often will the team change who is delivering services?
The team may change as often as needed, depending on the requirements of the person receiving services, their particular schedule / adherence to the schedule, and team member availability with the requisite skills to implement the treatment plan. AccessAbilities commits to identifying, training, and assigning the best team to support the overall needs of those we serve, and we have thoughtfully designed retention strategies to reduce team member turnover. Most importantly, we engage in constant communication so that each family understands any barriers of the service delivery team. For some state waiver programs, friends and family may be eligible to serve in a team member role. We will discuss this option as permitted.
How is the team formally trained to de-escalate behavioral or other risky situations?
At AccessAbilities, all ABA providers receive Safety Care Crisis Prevention training to master physical safety, team intervention, strategies for preventing and managing peer aggression, and more. This investment demonstrates the organization’s commitment to providing person-centered interventions that replace challenging behaviors with a safe, more collaborative approach. This results in a safer environment for the team and those we serve, while reducing the frequency and severity of material incidents.
Family Resources
- Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities: Home
- DSI Services – DSI Services Developmental Services, Inc. – Support for Disabilities in Indiana
- FSSA: DDRS: Vocational Rehabilitation / Employment
- IHCDA: Home
- Indiana Disabilities Organizations | IN*SOURCE
- IN*SOURCE | Every Learner. Every Family. Every Educator.