Children with High(er) Functioning Autism — Instruction, Services and Supports Covered by Insurance

One of the best-kept secrets in the world of health insurance companies is that children (toddlers to 21) diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders qualify for significant amounts of services in their homes and communities. This could be up to 30 hours each week for several years, with most of the services covered by insurance. The important question is: What would you want your children to learn and join if you had many hours of enrichment, support and staff per week?

In this program sponsored by SPED*NET, clinical psychologist and educational consultant Michael J. Weiss, PhD, will discuss some of the most important instructions your children need and how to get it covered by insurance. He will describe a curriculum aimed at children on the spectrum who have good verbal skills, yet struggle with behavior and socializing with peers. The instruction ranges from promoting an understanding of nuanced and symbolic language (e.g., idioms, fables) to following conversations and storylines (TV/movie/story reading “therapy”) and teaching about other people’s perspectives, thoughts and feelings (called “Theory of Mind”). In addition to the instruction, a key curriculum goal is to connect kids to socialize together, with close staff supervision.