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Consultative Services

Let's Talk has Master's level therapists, famliy trainers and Board Certified Behavior Analysts on staff to meet a wide variety of needs for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and/or other developmental disabilites.

One-time or Ongoing Consultations:
For new or established patients who wish to have a consultation on a specific issue or for ongoing supervision and training for home programs either designed by us or another consultant. Services can include phone consults, e-mail consults, report writing, program updates and staff/parent training. Minimum in office 1 hr, out of office 2 hours, more than 2 hours away- full day, out of state 2 days.

Home Program Set Up:
-Initial Information Session (Consultant or Family Trainer): We review services available and discuss teaching techniques. We meet the child and determine possible reinforcers and general areas needing to be assessed. Family needs/goals and resources are discussed. (Minimum 1 hour in the clinic, 2 hours in the home)

-Initial Evaluation (Consultant): A combination of formal and informal assessment of current communication and social skills is conducted. Based on the initial information session and evaluation, suggestions for further programming are made individualized to the needs of the child and the resources of the family. (Minimum 2 hours)

-Program Plan Development (Consultant): Based on the results of the evaluation, specific goals and objectives as well as teaching strategies for each are provided in written form. The program developed can be carried out by the family, instructors hired by the family or instructors hired by Let�s Talk. (Minimum 4 hours)

-Initial Program Training (Consultant): Parents, instructors and Family Trainer are provided training on how to implement the program plan. All questions about the results of the assessment and focus of the plan are addressed and future training/consulting services are specified. (Minimum 4 hours)

-Mileage: Mileage is charged for all services provided in the home at the current federal rate.

***The above services are the minimal services needed to get started on an intensive home program. The total cost of all these services combined is $1,000.00. All of the services can also be obtained individually with hourly rates applied***

-Follow up Consultations: The consultant can monitor the program through review of written notes, however, it is strongly recommended that the family schedule visits with the consultant at least every 8 weeks initially to insure the child is moving at the most effective pace. The consultant must see the child before any additional goals are added to the program to ensure generalization of mastered goals and to determine new goals. Hourly charges apply.

-Direct instruction (Family Trainer or Consultant): One-on-one instructional time with the child. This is a regular teaching session. During this time other staff or family may observe but questions or comments should be reserved for training sessions or team meetings. Post session data input time may need to be added depending on the data collection intensity of the program. Minimum 1 hr in clinic and 2hrs in home.

-Family Training: After the program is set up, the family trainer works with all those working with the child to provide more in depth training and monitoring of the program. The amount of time needed will vary depending on the individual teams but a minimum of 10 hours initially with monthly 2 hour follow ups is recommended. See below for the services the family trainer is able to provide. Hourly charges apply.

-Individualized Training Modules (Family Trainer or Consultant): Modules are tailored to the needs of your child and the knowledge level of family and staff. All modules are minimum of 2hrs. Modules can be combined into half (4 hrs) or whole day (8hrs) workshops.

1. Introduction to ABA -background info, vocabulary, Verbal Behavior
2. Problem behavior - scenarios, data taking, procedures to use
3. Self-help Skills - help develop the child�s independence
4. Intensive teaching � important terms and practice with trainer and child
5. NET � natural environment teaching
6. Social skills/community outings
7. School � shadow, independent behavior
8. Data- data taking, program boards, data book:
9. Therapist duties- what is expected of them as a therapist based on parent and program needs
10. Running a home program- tips and suggestions on how to manage home program

Program Management (Family Trainer or Consultant): Due to the highly individualized nature of home programs, the frequency or intensity of items below depends on individual family preference and program needs. The program management plan and manager responsibilities will be developed and agreed upon by family and staff (and consultant when necessary).

1. Progress Assessment Session with child: One-on-one time to probe skills, asses progress on long and short term goals (suggested minimum 2 hours a month) ** Long and short term goals are developed in collaboration with the home team and consultant**
2. Staff observations: Evaluate progress and understanding of teaching strategies for each objective and giving feedback as needed.
3. Progress Meetings: Meetings with family to discuss progress and provide feedback on the program(suggested minimum: 1hr a month)
4. Data Book: Set-up data the book. Each family has different needs with regards to data collection. The family trainer will work with the family to develop data collection procedures tailored to the program needs.
5. Data Keeping: Create and update individualized data sheets, mastered Lists, FFC lists etc.
6. Program board: Create and review the program board and choose targets.
7. Review daily notes: If necessary refer questions to other professionals i.e. OT, SLP etc.)
8. ABLLS and/or other assessments: Assist the family in completing assessments, graphing progress, update as needed (Interpretation of assessments will be done by consultant or appropriate professional)
9. Other: a. Run team meetings /prepare data for meetings, and respond to team meeting notes, b. Make teaching materials such as book kits, NET lesson plans etc, c. Collect and integrate goals of other therapies ( Nutrition, OT, PT, SLP).

Additional Services (Hourly rates apply- see fee schedule):
-Report Writing/Review: Writing reports to be sent to other agencies or reviewing reports for other agencies for the purposes of program planning.

-Functional Behavior Analysis: Teaching caregivers how to collect ABC data, analyzing data that has been collected and developing a behavior plan based on the function(s) the behavior is serving.

-Data Analysis: Reviewing data from other programs and recommending changes as necessary.

-Assessment Review & Analysis: Reviewing assessments from other agencies and determining how and where to fit them into the child�s current program.

-Program Plan Update: Reviewing the current program and checking for mastery. Choosing new goals and objectives to be added to the program.

-Video Review: Reviewing videos of teaching sessions and home and providing written feedback.

-Phone/Email/Web Cam Consultations: Calls or e-mails that require more than 15 minutes of time. Long distance families often choose have phone or web cam consults in between visits.

-IEP/Goal Advocacy: Attending schools, community programs, or meetings as your child's advocate to assess needs and make recommendations. Therapists will provide information regarding present level of performance and suggestions for goals and objectives for children involved in IEP meetings in public or private school systems. We can also attend IEP meetings to advocate for the child.

-Group courses at Let�s Talk: These courses provide more general information than individualized modules. Courses are scheduled on Wednesday nights (7p-9p) and occur as soon as we have a minimum of 10 people signed up.

***For a schedule of topics and to sign up for group trainings at Let�s Talk, call Donna at the office. 852-0702 ***