What are specialty services?

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 (SSPs)?

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 very young children 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 on the next page.  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.  Click on “Specialty Services” and then again on “Specialty Services” in the Resource section.

How can my child be referred to a Specialty Service Provider?

You may contact the provider directly by phone or in writing 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.

What are the costs associated with Specialty Services?

At the present time Specialty Services are provided at no direct cost to families.  There is an annual participation fee for the Early Intervention system which is based on income and does not exceed $250/child per year.

Do Specialty Service Providers offer services such as speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy?

No, not routinely. Some SSPs 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?

It is expected that a minimum of five hours of intensive intervention will be scheduled weekly. Families who do not choose to make that commitment are not eligible for SSP enrollment. Most SSPs 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 sessions grows.  The family’s schedule, the age of the child, his 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.  Seek a reasonable balance between intensive therapy, periods of less intensive activity that are still structured, and your child’s needs for periods of rest, free time, meal time, and family time.

Are parents expected to be involved in Specialty Service intervention?

All school systems are required to provide children with disabilities an educational program to meet each child’s needs at the age of three. Most definitely. Research indicates that children whose parents are very involved in the various aspects of their intervention are more likely to make progress.  SSPs expect that parents will learn and use strategies that can help their children progress.

Will the Early Intervention system cover the costs of therapy provided by a particular speech/language pathologist recommended by a physician?

No. The Early Intervention system is set up to provide the services a child needs, not to ensure access to particular service providers. Early Intervention staff are appropriately licensed by the Commonwealth in their discipline and must become certified EI Specialists as well. Some EI Programs do subcontract with private clinicians. You can ask your service coordinator if this is an option.  Remember that the EI Program is not under any obligation to set up subcontracts if they have staff who provide the services necessary to meet the needs of a child and family.

You can, of course, explore whatever options you choose privately. Some health insurance companies will cover private clinician’s fees. Others will not, so it is important that you check your particular policy.

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 after their third birthdays. All school systems are required to provide children with disabilities an educational program to meet each child’s needs at the age of three.  In order to ensure that services and supports are in place by the third birthday, transition planning should begin at least six months before – and even earlier if possible.  Your child will be referred to the local school system and a meeting will be scheduled to review his/her progress and determine any additional evaluations necessary to plan for services from the school system.  Each EIP has resources to assist families with planning for the transition and will involve the Specialty Service Provider in the process.

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.

SPECIALTY SERVICE PROVIDERS

BEACON SERVICES: Serves
most communities in the state
508-478-0207, Ext. 247 www.beaconservices.org 

BUILDING BLOCKS: Serves Northeastern region, Boston, Worcester
978-762-8352 www.nsarc.org/bblocks_ei.html     

CHILDREN MAKING STRIDES: Serves the Southeast region, Fall River, New Bedford, Plymouth, Taunton, Cape Cod
508-563-5767 www.childrenmakingstrides.com

ADVANCING MILESTONES (formerly ECN): Serves Boston and suburbs
781-895-3200, Ext. 17 www.advancingmilestones.com

HMEA, INC.: Serves Central, Southeast, Boston, Northern regions
508-562-8635, Ext. 243 www.hmea.org

LIPTON EARLY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LEAP):
Serves North Central region
978-840-9354, Ext. 212

THE MAY CENTER:Serves areas around geographic hubs in the Boston area, South Shore, North Shore, Central Region 781-437-1405
Western Massachusetts: 413-734-0300
Cape Cod area: 508-945-1147  www.mayinstitute.org

THE NEW ENGLAND CENTER FOR CHILDREN: Serves communities within a 45 minute drive to Southborough 508-481-1015, Ext. 3016 www.necc.org

PEDIATRIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER: Serves Berkshire County413-499-4537, Ext. 120 www.pediatricdevelopmentcenter.org

SERVICENET-REACH PROGRAM: Serves Hampshire, Hampden, and Franklin counties, North Quabbin area
413-585-1400 www.servicenetinc.org