AUTISM SERVICES

Autism symptoms begin in early childhood, persist, and can interfere with daily living.

SYMPTOMS INCLUDE:

  • Avoiding eye contact

  • Abnormal tone of voice

  • Behavioral disturbances

  • Lack of empathy

  • Intense focus on one topic

  • Difficulty understand social cues

  • Not engaging in play with peers

  • Repeating words or movements

  • Delay in learning to speak

ELIGIBILITY FOR SERVICES:

A person may be eligible for Autism Services at LifeWays if:

  • They are under 21 years old.

  • They live in Jackson or Hillsdale county.

  • LifeWays has diagnosed them with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

  • They are currently eligible for Medicaid, MIChild, or Healthy Michigan Plan.

PERSON CENTERED PLANNING

Person-Centered Planning means you and your child will be actively engaged in planning and supporting your child’s care. This process builds upon your child’s preferences, choices, and abilities.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

  • LifeWays staff will work directly with you and your child to complete several assessments. If your child is approved for the program, they will work with a team of experts that will provide intensive autism support services.

  • The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview - Revised (ADI-R) are considered to be the ‘gold standard’ in diagnostic evaluations for autism.

  • The ABA Program is a results-based program which uses a multitude of tests and assessments to track the progress your child is making while they are in the program.

PROGRAM APPLICATION PROCESS

ELIGIBILITY

  • Contact LifeWays to complete a phone screening and schedule an assessment.

    (517) 789-1209

    Total Time: 10 min

  • Complete an assessment with a mental health professional at LifeWays.*

    Total time: 60-90 min

    • If the results of the intake assessment indicate the need for treatment other than autism, appropriate referrals will be made.

  • If appropriate, a referral will be made to an ASD case manager.

    Total time: Referral times can vary.

  • A referral packet is completed with an ASD case manager and submitted for approval. **

    **If you have commercial insurance with coverage for autism we will assist you in scheduling an assessment with approved center/provider. if you have Medicaid only. LifeWays CAN provide services.

  • If referral is approved, an ADOS/ADI-R is completed at LifeWays and submitted for approval. ***

    Total time: 3-4 hours across 2 sessions

    *** If referral is pended for information, differential/psychological testing will be requested prior to scheduling.

  • If ADOS/ADI-R is approved, a referral to the first available ABA provider occurs.****

    Total time: Referral times can vary.

    **** If you are denied, you will be notified.

SERVICE DELIVERY

  • ABA provider will schedule a time to complete an evaluation.

  • A comprehensive Individual Plan of Service (IPOS) is developed including ABA.

  • ABA services will begin, utilizing a schedule developed with you and your child.

  • ABA provider will complete periodic reviews of services and progress. *****

    ***** ADOS completed minimally every three years. Can be completed more often if necessary.