PA, TSS, ETC... wasRE: Re: Editorial - PA (Autism Speaks....Watchdog)

[Guest guest]

I have a jillion emails in my box and will be deleting them all to catch up

so forgive me if I repeat what has already been discussed.

I used to work as a TSS.

They are B.S. level support staff who work directly with kids with ASD or

behavioral issues. They are supposed to address behavior in home, school

and community. But my son's TSS's often were like one-on-one aids in school.

Most service providers train their TSS's in Discreet Trial, which is

essentially ABA.

TSS services are covered by MA, and so, for years Gavin got 40 or more hours

of ABA a week paid for.

Managed care is taking over PA MA, so some hours got cut for older kids in

the school setting.

All kids with a diagnosis get approved for MA, and MA pays for all

therapies.

Gavin got Speech through school, PLUS I took him to the hospitals outpatient

clinic, and I took him to the OT provider of my choice, 20 miles from home,

and MA reimbursed me mileage for each trip. When they referred me to Pgh for

Gavin's neuro, I chose to go to Danville instead --not a problem, mileage

and hotel and per diem provided.

95% of me wonders why anyone would even mess with the system in PA right

now.

But I can understand a little bit...

I will say some times you have to agency shop b/c the agency I worked for

had piss poor training.

But I was lucky to get good TSS's who knew ABA and were good with Gavin.

But we also got a TSS who was clueless, and I know some areas have less

choice than others.

BUT I know where I lived in Clearfield County I had my choice of 3 or 4

agencies. A lot of parents agency hop when they are mad, I stayed with

Cen-Clear for a LONG time 8 years... I think that is rare