a handbook for parents of children with autism spectrum disorders
a handbook for parents of children with autism spectrum disorders
a handbook for parents of children with autism spectrum disorders
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ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS<br />
How do I get BHRS or wraparound services?<br />
In order to obtain BHRS, you can have your child evaluated at one <strong>of</strong> the<br />
mental health providers in the county (See Appendix I). An evaluation will be<br />
<strong>of</strong>fered <strong>with</strong>in seven days <strong>of</strong> the initial phone call.<br />
What will happen at an evaluation <strong>for</strong> BHRS?<br />
There isn’t one<br />
specific cause <strong>of</strong><br />
Autism. Research<br />
has focused on<br />
whether chemical<br />
imbalances,<br />
differences in the<br />
brain, genetics, or<br />
problems <strong>with</strong> the<br />
immune system play<br />
a role in causing the<br />
disorder.<br />
Be<strong>for</strong>e the evaluation, a master’s-level clinician will ask you questions about<br />
your child’s developmental history and current and past behaviors, including<br />
definitions <strong>of</strong> the behaviors, the frequency and intensity <strong>of</strong> the behaviors, past<br />
medical history review <strong>of</strong> strengths, current school or preschool placement if<br />
relevant, drug and alcohol history if relevant, family psychiatric history, past<br />
treatment, and medical history. You should bring as much in<strong>for</strong>mation as<br />
possible to this appointment.<br />
The clinician will make a level-<strong>of</strong>-care determination <strong>for</strong> BHRS and/or another<br />
level <strong>of</strong> care that will address your child’s needs.<br />
What is a Functional Behavioral Analysis and should one be completed<br />
<strong>for</strong> my son/daughter?<br />
A Functional Behavioral Analysis (FBA) is an attempt to look beyond the<br />
obvious interpretation <strong>of</strong> behavior and determine the specific function that it<br />
may be serving <strong>for</strong> a child. Truly understanding why a child behaves a certain<br />
way is the first and best step to developing strategies to stop the behavior.<br />
An FBA includes the gathering <strong>of</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mation through interviews <strong>of</strong> caregivers<br />
as well as direct observation and data analysis <strong>of</strong> when the behaviors occur.<br />
During the FBA process, the family, school staff, and a BHRS BSC (trained<br />
in the FBA process) will observe your child in several <strong>of</strong> the settings in<br />
which the behavior occurs. The BSC notes what comes be<strong>for</strong>e the behavior<br />
(also called the “antecedent”), the behavior, and what happens after the<br />
behavior (also called the “consequence”) over a period <strong>of</strong> time. The BSC also<br />
interviews teachers, <strong>parents</strong>, and other caregivers who work <strong>with</strong> the child<br />
to evaluate how the child’s diagnosis may affect behavior and manipulate<br />
the environment to see if there is a way to avoid the behavior (<strong>for</strong> example,<br />
providing a child <strong>with</strong> a sensory tool such as a chewy tube to avoid having the<br />
child chew on inedibles in his or her environment). This in<strong>for</strong>mation becomes<br />
the basis <strong>for</strong> a behavior plan. The behavior plan will include specific treatment<br />
interventions to replace destructive, disruptive, or distracting behaviors <strong>with</strong><br />
more socially appropriate, acceptable behaviors.<br />
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