A Parent's Guide to
Grins & Abilities
Every effort we put forth is dedicated to those awe-inspiring moments, like the initial conversations with your child. Listen to the perspective of an SCADD mom, whose non-verbal son with autism began his transformative journey through therapy.
1. Discuss challenges with a doctor
Are you observing potential signs of autism in your child? When behaviors raise concerns or suggest challenges, families and caregivers seek a trustworthy source for assistance and support free of judgment. If you suspect autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or a developmental delay in your child's life, there's hope. We're here to guide you through each step, offering specialized services for children aged 15 months to 10 years. SCADD's compassionate, licensed psychologists and therapists have earned the trust of numerous pediatricians, schools, and families. Uncertain about where to start? Initiate a conversation with your pediatrician and navigate through the outlined steps to progress from obtaining a diagnosis to securing the necessary care for your child to lead the life they deserve.
2. Obtain a diagnosis
Secure a referral for a diagnostic evaluation
The behaviors or challenges your child is facing may or may not be linked to autism, but one consensus remains among experts: early identification is pivotal. ASD manifests differently in each individual, making diagnosis a nuanced process. Observe and document your child's developmental milestones, or lack thereof, regressions, and any concerning behaviors. Share your observations with your pediatrician, and if concerns persist, request a referral for a diagnostic evaluation. Patience is key throughout this process, yet persistence is crucial. Research demonstrates that early evaluation enhances the likelihood of a child reaching their potential. Recognizing this, SCADD provides swift answers – in as little as 45 days! We can diagnose autism in toddlers as young as 15 months. If you're troubled by behaviors or delays, don't hesitate. Schedule an appointment with a member of our SCADD Autism Testing Team, offering thorough, insurance-recognized autism testing. Once we receive a physician's referral, we contact you within 48 business hours to confirm basic information and initiate the process. For additional information on SCADD's testing options and to schedule an appointment, reach out through our Contact page or call us at (855) 324-0885.
3. Develop a therapy plan
Craft an individualized care plan
We don't merely address a diagnosis; we address your child. Confirming whether your child has autism is crucial in shaping our approach to therapy services. However, knowledge alone doesn't surmount their challenges. Autism wears many faces, each child presenting unique challenges and abilities. We acknowledge this diversity and teach across the spectrum, catering to both low-functioning and high-functioning autism. At SCADD, every child receives personalized attention from a dedicated team of skilled professionals committed to creating a care plan tailored to their individual needs. Individuals with ASD often benefit from ABA, speech, feeding, and occupational therapy. Consequently, we typically conduct ABA, speech, and OT evaluations* to identify specific areas for intervention. Comprehensive behavioral and skills assessments ensure that goals align with your child's chronological age and developmental needs. Whether focusing on short-term goals like potty training or preparing for preschool in the long term, we utilize these results to formulate a plan to achieve them. With multiple coordinated therapies and natural environmental possibilities housed under one roof, our team collaborates to devise the most effective blend within an SCADD Individualized Treatment Plan (ITP) for each family. The frequency and duration of therapy are determined based on evaluation results, adhering to the guidelines of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, recommending 20 to 40 hours of ABA per week for optimal success and independence.
4. Work toward goals
Commence the therapy to empower your child's flourishing
Once logistical matters are settled, the real excitement begins. With our SCADD 360 Care model, your child receives personalized attention through ABA's evidence-based practices combined with other essential services like occupational and speech therapies.* All programs are developed and overseen by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) but guided by parental input on goals. Whether your objective is to prepare your child for school or enhance socialization with peers, we possess the experience, time, and resources to start small and progress gradually. Our therapists initiate with one-on-one skills, progressing to parallel play, interactive play, and even simulated classroom settings. Your child benefits from on-site clinical support, ensuring safe responses to prevent, minimize, and manage behavioral challenges. After setting objectives and implementing plans, progress is monitored, and programmatic adjustments are determined through data evaluation. Your child's goals and progress are personally reviewed with you every 90 days. Parent education and home programming are also provided to maximize the benefits of therapy.
5. Transition from the program
Receive support throughout the transition process
While these children forever hold a special place in our hearts, our intention is not to keep them in our centers indefinitely. Our happiest days are when our young learners transition out of their programs and embark on new adventures. Transitions, much like the children we work with, span a broad spectrum, driven by goals with varying timelines. Indicators that kids are ready to progress include gaining independence and catching up on age
-appropriate developmental skills. Some may transition from full-time to part-time therapy in the center, while others progress to preschool, kindergarten, or another grade level, in either special or regular education classrooms. Regardless of the chosen path, our therapists not only assist them in reaching their destinations but also support families throughout the transition process. Regular check-ins with parents, schools, and physicians are available to ensure long-term success. It's all part of 360 Care. The journey doesn't conclude here; it marks the beginning of a beautiful life, here at SCADD, at home, and beyond.
Benefits of Choosing SCADD +
Customized, 1-on-1 care
Our dedicated and experienced team prioritizes your family, offering undivided attention with personalized goals and plans tailored to each child. Learn More
SCADD 360 Care
Collaboration between behavioral, occupational, and speech therapists* forms the foundation of our practice, resulting in outcomes that build foundational skills and minimize interfering behaviors. Learn More
Pediatric center-based model
SCADD provides state-of-the-art equipment and recreates real-life environments in a vibrant learning facility designed to enhance therapy sessions and interdisciplinary collaboration. Learn More
Socialization with peers
Our center environment encourages peer play and other forms of socialization targeting specific communication and pragmatic goals, unlike in-home resources. Learn More
Preparation for school
Our center-based model and evidence-based interventions cover essential school-readiness skills not typically addressed at home, preparing kids for a successful transition to the classroom. Learn More
Flexible, comprehensive therapy schedules
Therapy at SCADD isn't confined to 1-2 hours a week; our efforts intensify over 20-40 hours per week to ensure proper attention, especially for behaviors that may last that long. Learn More
What sets SCADD apart?
When we asked the parents of our learners to share their perspective on SCADD, the responses consistently emphasized our unparalleled combination of services and benefits. It's the welcoming autism testing experience and the support provided from the moment of connection. Once part of the SCADD family, it's the center-based atmosphere, innovative blend of coordinated therapies, and an exceptional team of superheroes dedicated to their well-being. It's the complete package, and more importantly, it's the outcomes stemming from that package.
Image of SCADD building
Note: SCADD provides autism therapy within our center-based location.
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We are devoted to meeting your children wherever they may be on their journeys. Our resources allow us to guide your children through obstacles and bring them to experiences you might not have imagined were possible.
CTA: ABOUT SCADD
Autism isn't contagious, but my smile is ASD is not something that can be "cured" with medication. Instead, our combination of ABA, occupational, and speech therapies is proven to produce outcomes that build foundational skills and minimize interfering behaviors. SCADD is trusted by pediatricians and schools for more than a decade of experience in providing the most effective, dependable care for kids with autism and a variety of challenges across a spectrum, including (but not limited to):
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Developmental delays
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)
Hearing impairments
Feeding challenges
Difficulty understanding or expressing language
Sensory-processing difficulties
Poor coordination
Muscle weakness
Visual perceptual and visual motor challenges
Attention and regulation difficulties
Unlock your child's world: it starts with a diagnosis.
We look forward to working with new kiddos no matter where they are on their journey. Some come to us with an autism diagnosis, but if your family still needs answers, we are here to support you through the assessment. Our team can conduct testing for autism on children as young as 15 months old. The process may seem mysterious and even intimidating, but SCADD aims to ease the stress. Here's what to expect...
Our clinicians use the ADOS-2 in most of our centers. In addition to advance paperwork, the on-site test takes approximately one hour to administer.
It varies slightly from child to child, depending on factors like speech level and age, but across the board, it will often feel and look like playtime! The activities are designed to bring about behaviors and social characteristics associated with ASD.
Following the evaluation, the clinician requires approximately 15 minutes for scoring before sharing the results with parents and answering questions.
If you suspect your child could benefit from our diagnostic services, don't wait. Work with us to start the referral process now.
Parents, we're all in this together
We understand that your children mean the world to you. While the therapy your child receives at SCADD significantly impacts their life, caregiver involvement at home and in other environments is crucial for optimal outcomes. Therefore, we not only assist them within our centers but also provide families with personalized, insurance-approved training and learning services to adapt and practice new skills and behaviors beyond our walls.
Success, for us, is making a meaningful impact that changes lives, and our team's goal is to provide your family with the support, tools, and resources needed to achieve precisely that!
Meanwhile, here are some digital parent resources at your fingertips.
Your questions, answered
If autism is new to you, questions may be flooding in...
What age range does SCADD serve? What if my child does not have a diagnosis? Will insurance cover ABA therapy? How often does my child need to attend SCADD?
Don't worry; we have you covered. Give us a call or browse through our FAQs to learn more about what it's like to work with us as we address some of the most common questions related to SCADD's 360 Care autism therapy services.
Find out more about:
– Testing and Diagnostic services
– Applied behavior analysis (ABA therapy)
– 360 Care services
– Ages served
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