a handbook for parents of children with autism spectrum disorders

ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS
What does a recommendation for BHRS look like and what does it
mean?
Following the evaluation, the evaluator will summarize his or her findings and
make specific recommendations that include a prescription for services. These
services are requested in “hours per week.” For example, a prescription might
state “recommend 3 BSC hours per week and 10 TSS hours per week in the
home to address John’s off-task behavior and self-stimulatory behaviors.”
This means that the evaluator is requesting 3 Behavioral Specialist Consultant
hours per week and 10 Therapeutic Staff Support hours per week.
People with Autism
who have an
extraordinary talent
are referred to as
“autistic savants.”
Savants are rare.
Savant ability is
more frequently
associated with
those having some
form of Autism rather
than with other
disabilities. Current
thinking holds that at
most, 1 or 2 in 200
individuals with an
Autistic Spectrum
Disorder might have
a genuine savant
talent.
These services will be provided over a period of time. Four months is the
typical amount of time covered in a prescription period. However, evaluators
are also able to recommend up to a 1-year period for these services
depending on your child’s circumstances. These hours are provided per week
and cannot be carried over from week to week if not utilized.
What happens following the evaluation?
The facility that did the evaluation will hold a treatment team meeting with you
(commonly known as the Interagency Service Planning Team, or ISPT). The
children’s intake staff at the agency will begin to identify a provider to accept
your child’s case if it is authorized.
What is an ISPT?
An ISPT (Interagency Service Planning Team) meeting usually consists of
the service providers, family members, school personnel, a care manager
from Community Care Behavioral Health Organization (Community Care; a
managed care organization), and/or others invited to participate. During this
meeting, the child’s needs are discussed, along with the impact of services,
need for changes in services, and/or other recommendations. The team may
discuss the evaluator’s recommendations. If the team members are not in
agreement, they can request that the evaluator change his or her original
recommendations.
What happens after the meeting?
Following the evaluation and ISPT meeting, the evaluation, treatment plan,
and related meeting documents will be sent to Community Care to review for
authorization. Community Care manages behavioral health services.
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