Confidentiality
As a client, all information you share about yourself will be kept confidential. Only with your written permission will information be released to anyone except as required by law. Legal exceptions include the following:
- clear and imminent danger to you or someone else
- reasonable suspicion that a child or elder is currently being abused
- a court order
What is Autism?
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by the following:
- Impairment in communication
- Impairment in a person’s ability to relate to other people
- Repetitive behaviors, intense interests, or severe sensory sensitivity
Though these are the necessary characteristics for a diagnosis of autism, it is important to say that each person with autism is unique. Each person has a their own “profile” of characteristics and traits just as we all have our own personalities. An important part of having an autism evaluation is to define each person’s areas of strength and weakness. A diagnosis is just a label. It does not really help us understand who the person is or what the next steps need to be.
Evaluation Forms
Vanderbilt Parent Version
Vanderbilt Teacher Version
Applying to the Agency for Persons with Disabilities
The Agency for Persons with Disabilities is a very important agency. For individuals needing residential care or who are in crisis, APD may be able to help. APD serves individuals with the following:
- Intellectual Disability
- Severe forms of Autism
- Spina Bifida
- Cerebral Palsy
- Prader-Willi syndrome
- Down syndrome
- Phelan-McDermid syndrome
About ABA
ABA, or Applied Behavior Analysis therapy, is a technique of teaching skills. Research has demonstrated that ABA is the most effective way of teaching skills to children with autism. For young children this may include teaching them to talk and engage with other people. For older people this may include working on self care or work related skills.
In the State of Florida, health insurance pays for ABA for individuals with a diagnosis of autism.
Getting Insurance to Pay for ABA
In the State of Florida, in most situations health insurance pays for ABA therapy for children with autism. There are exceptions for insurance that is written out of state, and for companies that are small or self insured. It is recommended that you contact your insurance company and find out what your coverage is specifically for autism spectrum disorder.
In order to authorize the therapy, you will generally need to have a formal autism evaluation with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Medicaid requires that this be done by a Psychologist or Developmental/Behavioral Pediatrician. For Medicaid you will also need a diagnostic letter and medical orders from a physician ordering ABA therapy.
When receiving a diagnosis of autism from Dr. Gavin, she will provide a psychological report with a formal diagnosis. You can then take this report to your child’s physician. In turn, the physician will write a brief letter confirming the autism diagnosis and write medical orders for ABA therapy.
Finding ABA Therapy
There are many agencies in the Central Florida area that provide ABA services. They vary in quality, like all professional services. It is important that you feel comfortable with you provider. It is recommended that you visit centers that you are interested in. Dr. Gavin can provide you with a list of agencies, although she does not endorse any in particular. She is not financially connected to any agency.
