What are specialty services?
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has set up a system to provide intensive intervention to children on the autism spectrum who are enrolled in Early Intervention. In addition to the comprehensive services provided by your local early intervention program, you may choose to have additional help from a Specialty Service Provider. These providers have particular expertise in the area of autism. They offer highly structured, individualized treatment programs that promote communication and social skills and address behavior that interferes with learning.
Who is eligible for Specialty Services?
A child who is enrolled in a certified Early Intervention Program who receives a diagnosis on the autism spectrum from a physician or clinical psychologist is eligible for Specialty Services.
Who are Specialty Service Providers?
Specialty Service Providers are agencies who have demonstrated expertise in the area of autism spectrum disorders and have been approved by the Department of Public Health to work in conjunction with Early Intervention Programs to serve children under age 3 with this diagnosis. Each agency covers a particular geographic area.
How do I find a Specialty Service Provider?
The list of approved providers is provided below. It is also in the booklet: “Information for Families with Children Newly Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders,” available to families from Early Intervention and may be found at the Early Intervention Parent Leadership website, www.eiplp.org/documents/SSP_Autism0109.pdf
How can my child be referred to a Specialty Service Provider?
You may contact the provider yourself or you may ask your Early Intervention Service Coordinator to make the contact for you.
May I interview more than one Specialty Service Provider?
Yes. You may set up an intake appointment with more than one Specialty Service Provider. Read more about the programs philosophy and approach by visiting their website. Select a program that uses the approach that feels most appropriate for your child and family and the one recommended by your child's doctor.
What are the costs associated with Specialty Services?
At the present time, Specialty Services are provided at no direct cost to families.
Do Specialty Service Providers offer services such as speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy?
No, not routinely. Some Specialty Service Providers have speech, occupational, and physical therapists on staff who consult to children receiving intensive intervention from time to time, but these types of therapy services are not part of the specialty service system.Your child will continue to receive the services specified on his/her Individualized Family Service Plan through your Early Intervention Program.
How are the numbers of hours of intervention determined?
Most Specialty Service Providers start with five to six hours of intervention per week and then increase those hours as the child's ability to adapt to the structure of the session grows. The family's schedule, the age of the child, his/her learning style and behavioral characteristics, and rate of progress will also be considered in developing treatment plans. No formula dictates how much service is sufficient for any particular child. The quality of the instructional sessions and the degree of continuity across the child’s day may be more important than the number of hours provided. Remember that all of the Specialty Service Providers will be working closely with you and any of your child's caretakers to promote social skills and communication and to manage behavior that interferes with learning.
Are parents expected to be involved in Specialty Service intervention?
Most definitely. Research indicates that children whose parents are very involved in the various aspects of their intervention are more likely to make progress. Specialty Service Providers expect that parents will learn and use strategies that can help their children progress.
What will happen when my child turns three and is no longer eligible for EI? Can his SSP continue to work with him?
Children are not eligible for Early Intervention or Specialty Service Providers after their third birthdays. Some Specialty Service Providers have staff available to contract with school systems for direct service, for consultation and for staff training after the child turns 3.
For information about specialty services like ABA or Floortime, call Tracy Osbahr, Early Intervention intensive services coordinator at (413) 586-7525.
Information provided by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Office of Specialty Services.
BEACON SERVICES: Serves
most communities in the state
(508) 478-0207 www.beaconservices.org
BUILDING BLOCKS: Serves Northeastern region, Boston and Worcester
(978) 624-2320 www.ne-arc.org
CHILDREN MAKING STRIDES: Serves the Southeast region and Cape Cod
(508) 563-5767 www.childrenmakingstrides.com
ADVANCING MILESTONES: Serves Boston and suburbs
(781) 895-3200 www.advancingmilestones.com
HMEA, INC.: Serves Central, Southeast, Boston and Northern regions
(508) 298-1100 www.hmea.org
LIPTON EARLY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LEAP):
Serves Central and North Central region
(978) 466-8333
THE MAY INSTITUTE: Serves Boston area, South and North Shores (800) 778-7601. Hampshire and Hampden Counties (413) 734-0300
www.mayinstitute.org
THE NEW ENGLAND CENTER FOR CHILDREN: Serves communities within a 45 minute drive to Southborough (508) 481-1015 www.necc.org
PEDIATRIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER: Serves Berkshire County (413) 499-4537 www.pediatricdevelopmentcenter.org
SERVICENET-REACH PROGRAM: Serves Hampshire, Hampden, and Franklin counties, North Quabbin area
(413) 585-1300 www.servicenetinc.org