How is therapy paid for?
There are several options depending on your child’s diagnosis and type of insurance coverage.
- Teaching Together is in network with Private insurance companies such as Aetna, IBX, United and Cigna. Private insurance can be directly billed by Teaching Together if 1. your child has an autism diagnosis and 2. ABA benefits are included in your insurance plan. Teaching Together will need preauthorization before beginning treatment.
- Medical assistance. Teaching Together is not in network with medical assistance programs that are provided by the state. If you wish to use medical assistance, Teaching Together can contract through a partnered agency. This is possible if your child has a diagnosis of autism or other developmental disabilities.
- If your child does not have a diagnosis of autism, but could benefit from services through Teaching Together, private pay is an option.
How is therapy structured?
Initially, an evaluation is conducted. If your child is a good fit for treatment, an initial visit will be scheduled. This visit may be several hours or days in length. After the initial visit, follow-up will be scheduled as appropriate. This is typically 2-4 hours every week or so. Follow-up is faded when your child reaches their treatment goals. Caregiver training and “homework” is a crucial part of treatment success. Caregivers are trained to implement the protocol, which must be practiced daily.
What techniques do you use?
Therapists are specially trained to use behavioral techniques to teach new, desired skills and reduce refusal behavior. If necessary, collaboration with other professionals such as OT’s, speech therapists and dietitians will ensure the best treatment outcomes.
Specifically, what do you do during therapy?
Teaching Together makes every attempt to foster a positive and fun atmosphere during therapy sessions. Some of the techniques employed during treatment include: small meals and frequent breaks, choosing tastes and textures that your child already enjoys, developing an individualized reinforcement system, starting with small amounts of food and increasing volume slowly, using distraction, implementing structure and predictability into the meal, allowing choice of new foods, breaking the task into small steps, food chaining, gradual exposure to new food and visual supports.
We feel that we’ve tried everything, why will therapy with Teaching Together help?
You may have tried some of the above strategies. The difference is that Teaching Together has implemented these techniques many times with many different children. Also, a new person coming to the house as a “feeding teacher” can motivate children to do try new things and take small risks. It can add an element of excitement and novelty to the feeding process. In addition, an outside therapist can be objective, calm and persistent, which is difficult to do with one’s own child. Our therapy is home-based and focuses on parent training, which allows learning to continue in the natural environment between therapy appointments.
My doctor and family members aren’t concerned, is it ok to be a picky eater?
To some extent, this is a personal choice. Since picky eating is relatively common, it may be hard to determine if your child’s diet is “typical”. In addition, each Pediatrician may have a different outlook, or feel that weight gain alone is sufficient for health, even with a limited diet. Many friends and family members may not understand your concern if your child appears typical and healthy in every other way. If your child’s pickiness affects their health or involvement in social activities, your concern is valid. Being overweight, underweight and having vitamin deficits are examples of how selectivity can affect health. Anxiety around eating at birthday parties or not being able to eat anything on the family table can feel isolating and stressful. Pickiness/selectivity can persist into adulthood. Some adults report fear going on dates, potluck dinners and business events such as lunch with their boss or dinner with clients. These are some factors to consider while weighing the costs and benefits of seeking treatment for your child.
