Re: Re: What are the required credentials for diagnosing Autism?

[Guest guest]

Wow - I would love to find a speech therapist who is also a BCBA too! Are you anywhere near the Houston area? Sent from my iPhone

Hi there! I am an LSSP as well as a BCBA, so I just wanted to answer your question by saying that neither of these credentials can officially diagnose autism. An LSSP can conduct an autism evaluation, but this is strictly for educational purposes. The LSSP should be part of a multidisciplinary team that makes a determination as to whether a child meets criteria for the disability condition of autism as specified by TEA for special education purposes. This is not an official diagnosis, it is a disability determination for educational purposes.

Hope that helps!

>

> Does anyone know of a website they can point me to or something that specifies the required credentials of someone to diagnos a child with Autism? I assume it has to be a doctor with a MD and cant be an schools LSSP. Can a master level psychologist diagnose Autism? Can a BCBA diagnose Autism? I appreciate any information. Thank you.

>

[Guest guest]

An licensed school specialist is not a speech therapist. They are the scum used by schools to contradict medical diagnosis.

Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

From:

Graham-Garza ;

To:

Texas-Autism-Advocacy <Texas-Autism-Advocacy >;

Subject:

Re: Re: What are the required credentials for diagnosing Autism?

Sent:

Sat, Apr 9, 2011 1:52:08 PM

Wow - I would love to find a speech therapist who is also a BCBA too! Are you anywhere near the Houston area? Sent from my iPhone

Hi there! I am an LSSP as well as a BCBA, so I just wanted to answer your question by saying that neither of these credentials can officially diagnose autism. An LSSP can conduct an autism evaluation, but this is strictly for educational purposes. The LSSP should be part of a multidisciplinary team that makes a determination as to whether a child meets criteria for the disability condition of autism as specified by TEA for special education purposes. This is not an official diagnosis, it is a disability determination for educational purposes.

Hope that helps!

>

> Does anyone know of a website they can point me to or something that specifies the required credentials of someone to diagnos a child with Autism? I assume it has to be a doctor with a MD and cant be an schools LSSP. Can a master level psychologist diagnose Autism? Can a BCBA diagnose Autism? I appreciate any information. Thank you.

>

[Guest guest]

I think the problem here is that many districts are denying services to children who have been diagnosed by professionals (doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists etc...) as being children ont he spectrum and needing help and support in the educational environment, yet the LSSP's or other district personal DISCOUNT the professional diagnosis so as to deny services.  It is absurd that they are getting away with this.

[Guest guest]

I thought an LSSP was a school psychologist? In which case our school district lied to us at any rate.... Go figure....CarolynSent from my iPad

Wow - I would love to find a speech therapist who is also a BCBA too! Are you anywhere near the Houston area? Sent from my iPhone

Hi there! I am an LSSP as well as a BCBA, so I just wanted to answer your question by saying that neither of these credentials can officially diagnose autism. An LSSP can conduct an autism evaluation, but this is strictly for educational purposes. The LSSP should be part of a multidisciplinary team that makes a determination as to whether a child meets criteria for the disability condition of autism as specified by TEA for special education purposes. This is not an official diagnosis, it is a disability determination for educational purposes.

Hope that helps!

>

> Does anyone know of a website they can point me to or something that specifies the required credentials of someone to diagnos a child with Autism? I assume it has to be a doctor with a MD and cant be an schools LSSP. Can a master level psychologist diagnose Autism? Can a BCBA diagnose Autism? I appreciate any information. Thank you.

>

[Guest guest]

That is what happened to us....Sent from my iPad

I think the problem here is that many districts are denying services to children who have been diagnosed by professionals (doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists etc...) as being children ont he spectrum and needing help and support in the educational environment, yet the LSSP's or other district personal DISCOUNT the professional diagnosis so as to deny services. It is absurd that they are getting away with this.

[Guest guest]

Us too. Despite diagnosis after diagnosis from licensed medical

physicians...these Texas licensed quacks contradict services for children with

autism. Its criminal

Carolyn wrote:

>That is what happened to us....

>

>Sent from my iPad

>

>

>

>> I think the problem here is that many districts are denying services to

children who have been diagnosed by professionals (doctors, psychiatrists,

psychologists etc...) as being children ont he spectrum and needing help and

support in the educational environment, yet the LSSP's or other district

personal DISCOUNT the professional diagnosis so as to deny services. It is

absurd that they are getting away with this.

>>

[Guest guest]

I am going to talk to a really good attorney I know and ask him if there is something Texas parents can do about that.  This kind of ( & @P really ticks me off.

[Guest guest]

Don't forget that not all children with a spectrum diagnosis have educational needs.... Sheesh, mine can't recite all of her ABCs at age 4 and still has no educational needs......CarolynSent from my iPad

I am going to talk to a really good attorney I know and ask him if there is something Texas parents can do about that. This kind of ( & @P really ticks me off.

[Guest guest]



,

I have been looking for one as well.

I think you are thinking of an SLP (Speech Language Pathologist).

The only one I know is Tamara Kasper and she is not in Houston

Re: Re: What are the required credentials for diagnosing Autism?

Wow - I would love to find a speech therapist who is also a BCBA too! Are you anywhere near the Houston area? Sent from my iPhone

Hi there! I am an LSSP as well as a BCBA, so I just wanted to answer your question by saying that neither of these credentials can officially diagnose autism. An LSSP can conduct an autism evaluation, but this is strictly for educational purposes. The LSSP should be part of a multidisciplinary team that makes a determination as to whether a child meets criteria for the disability condition of autism as specified by TEA for special education purposes. This is not an official diagnosis, it is a disability determination for educational purposes.Hope that helps!>> Does anyone know of a website they can point me to or something that specifies the required credentials of someone to diagnos a child with Autism? I assume it has to be a doctor with a MD and cant be an schools LSSP. Can a master level psychologist diagnose Autism? Can a BCBA diagnose Autism? I appreciate any information. Thank you.>

[Guest guest]

An LSSP is a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology and not all are hired guns. Just like with anything else, there are some who are good and some who are not. Tonya

[Guest guest]

Add another family to this list! We have been trying to get help for 5 years now. it's deplorable how this system runs. I believe that we can make a difference but part of the problem is trying to educate the educators. They are trying to keep my child from going to therapy and I won't allow that to happen. Don't you just know that if it was their child the tables would be turned. Sent from my iPhone

Us too. Despite diagnosis after diagnosis from licensed medical physicians...these Texas licensed quacks contradict services for children with autism. Its criminal

Carolyn wrote:

>That is what happened to us....

>

>Sent from my iPad

>

>

>

>> I think the problem here is that many districts are denying services to children who have been diagnosed by professionals (doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists etc...) as being children ont he spectrum and needing help and support in the educational environment, yet the LSSP's or other district personal DISCOUNT the professional diagnosis so as to deny services. It is absurd that they are getting away with this.

>>

[Guest guest]

Carolyn,I find that absurd!Haven

[Guest guest]



do you know there is a law in Texas that if a child is diagnosed with Autism that a school cannot count their absences for therapy against them. Like being absent or tardy as long as they have a doctors note?

Re: Re: What are the required credentials for diagnosing Autism?

Add another family to this list! We have been trying to get help for 5 years now. it's deplorable how this system runs. I believe that we can make a difference but part of the problem is trying to educate the educators. They are trying to keep my child from going to therapy and I won't allow that to happen. Don't you just know that if it was their child the tables would be turned. Sent from my iPhone

Us too. Despite diagnosis after diagnosis from licensed medical physicians...these Texas licensed quacks contradict services for children with autism. Its criminalCarolyn wrote:>That is what happened to us....>>Sent from my iPad>>>>> I think the problem here is that many districts are denying services to children who have been diagnosed by professionals (doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists etc...) as being children ont he spectrum and needing help and support in the educational environment, yet the LSSP's or other district personal DISCOUNT the professional diagnosis so as to deny services. It is absurd that they are getting away with this.>>

[Guest guest]

Lorree,Yes, I knew this as my son had to be taken out frequently for therapy.Haven

[Guest guest]

But do they count the medical doctors diagnosis or is it only if the school district also diagnoses them? Sent from my iPad

Lorree,Yes, I knew this as my son had to be taken out frequently for therapy.Haven

[Guest guest]

They will only use the " educational " diagnosis.

Stilwell wrote:

>But do they count the medical doctors diagnosis or is it only if the school

district also diagnoses them?

>

>Sent from my iPad

>

>

>

>> Lorree,

>>

>> Yes, I knew this as my son had to be taken out frequently for therapy.

>>

>> Haven

>>

[Guest guest]

This depends on the situation and the school district. Many school districts will ignore outside diagnoses and therapists opinions. Our school districts have said things like "we dont have to agree or accept outside diagnoses, just consider them". Or "clinical OT and ST look at different things than educational, we have many more restrictions" or "not all autistic children have educational needs". I want to give one of their children autism and then see what they expect from tge school district!!carolynSent: Sunday, April 10, 2011 11:40 AMTo: Texas-Autism-Advocacy <Texas-Autism-Advocacy >Subject: Re: Re: What are the required credentials for diagnosing Autism? But do they count the medical doctors diagnosis or is it only if the school district also diagnoses them? Sent from my iPad Lorree,Yes, I knew this as my son had to be taken out frequently for therapy.HavenReply to sender | Reply to group | [The entire original message is not included]

[Guest guest]



Here is the complete educational statute.

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/ED/pdf/ED.25.pdf

EDUCATION CODETITLE 2. PUBLIC EDUCATIONSUBTITLE E. STUDENTS AND PARENTSCHAPTER 25. ADMISSION, TRANSFER, AND ATTENDANCESec. 25.087. EXCUSED ABSENCES.

(b-3) A temporary absence for purposes of Subsection ((2) includes the temporary absence of a student diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder on the day of the student's appointment with a health care practitioner, as described by Section 1355.015(, Insurance Code, to receive a generally recognized service for persons with autism spectrum disorder, including applied behavioral analysis, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.

Re: Re: What are the required credentials for diagnosing Autism?

But do they count the medical doctors diagnosis or is it only if the school district also diagnoses them? Sent from my iPad

Lorree,Yes, I knew this as my son had to be taken out frequently for therapy.Haven

Reply to sender | Reply to group | [The entire original message is not included]

[Guest guest]

That is what I figured. My son has preschool on the basis if severe speech delay due to his chromosomal syndrome and our doctors have diagnosed him with autism however the school won't test him for that since they said none of his services would change at this point.Sent from my iPad

They will only use the "educational " diagnosis.

Stilwell wrote:

>But do they count the medical doctors diagnosis or is it only if the school district also diagnoses them?

>

>Sent from my iPad

>

>

>

>> Lorree,

>>

>> Yes, I knew this as my son had to be taken out frequently for therapy.

>>

>> Haven

>>

[Guest guest]



Look at all the statutes in this and break it down. Its a MD diagnosis and treatment plan that requires therapy that they can be excused.

An educational diagnosis is not even valid cause you wouldnt have a treatment plan by a school for outside therapy, right? Only by your doctor who diagnosed and provided a treatment plan and referrals for OT, speech, PT, ABA, whathaveyou.If you look again at the education statute for excused absences it says:Sec. 25.087. EXCUSED ABSENCES.(b-3) A temporary absence for purposes of Subsection ((2) includes the temporary absence of a student diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder on the day of the student's appointment with a health care practitioner, as described by Section 1355.015(, Insurance Code, to receive a generally recognized service for persons with autism spectrum disorder, including applied behavioral analysis, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. Now if you go back and look at subsection ((2) it says:(b)A school district shall excuse a student from attendingschool for:(2)a temporary absence resulting from health careprofessionals if that student commences classes or returns toschool on the same day of the appointment.Which you see specifies a health care practitioner not a school official.Now if you go and look at Section 1355.015(, Insurance Code which says:( The health benefit plan must provide coverage under this section to the enrollee for all generally recognized services prescribed in relation to autism spectrum disorder by the enrollee's primary care physician in the treatment plan recommended by that physician. An individual providing treatment prescribed under this subsection must be a health care practitioner:(1) who is licensed, certified, or registered by an appropriate agency of this state;(2) whose professional credential is recognized and accepted by an appropriate agency of the United States; or(3) who is certified as a provider under the TRICARE military health system.© For purposes of Subsection (, "generally recognized services" may include services such as:(1) evaluation and assessment services;(2) applied behavior analysis;(3) behavior training and behavior management;(4) speech therapy;(5) occupational therapy;(6) physical therapy; or(7) medications or nutritional supplements used to address symptoms of autism spectrum disorder.This statute also calls out a primary care physician and treatment plan recommended by that physician. Ive never known a school who has a physician on staff that gives out treatment plans to kids with autism for outside therapy. If the school is bullying you saying they will not excuse outside therapy only if its from a school treatment plan, they are legally wrong and you have ground to take them to court or at least file a complaint with the TEA.

Re: Re: What are the required credentials for diagnosing Autism?

That is what I figured. My son has preschool on the basis if severe speech delay due to his chromosomal syndrome and our doctors have diagnosed him with autism however the school won't test him for that since they said none of his services would change at this point.Sent from my iPad

They will only use the "educational " diagnosis. Stilwell wrote:>But do they count the medical doctors diagnosis or is it only if the school district also diagnoses them? >>Sent from my iPad>>>>> Lorree,>> >> Yes, I knew this as my son had to be taken out frequently for therapy.>> >> Haven>>

[Guest guest]

The school is great And i know they would excuse him in our case if we need to do that. Atthis time we dont. I was just curious about how the law was written. Thanks for your great explanation. I just liked to be informed.Sent from my iPad



Look at all the statutes in this and break it down. Its a MD diagnosis and treatment plan that requires therapy that they can be excused.

An educational diagnosis is not even valid cause you wouldnt have a treatment plan by a school for outside therapy, right? Only by your doctor who diagnosed and provided a treatment plan and referrals for OT, speech, PT, ABA, whathaveyou.If you look again at the education statute for excused absences it says:Sec. 25.087. EXCUSED ABSENCES.(b-3) A temporary absence for purposes of Subsection ((2) includes the temporary absence of a student diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder on the day of the student's appointment with a health care practitioner, as described by Section 1355.015(, Insurance Code, to receive a generally recognized service for persons with autism spectrum disorder, including applied behavioral analysis, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. Now if you go back and look at subsection ((2) it says:(b)A school district shall excuse a student from attendingschool for:(2)a temporary absence resulting from health careprofessionals if that student commences classes or returns toschool on the same day of the appointment.Which you see specifies a health care practitioner not a school official.Now if you go and look at Section 1355.015(, Insurance Code which says:( The health benefit plan must provide coverage under this section to the enrollee for all generally recognized services prescribed in relation to autism spectrum disorder by the enrollee's primary care physician in the treatment plan recommended by that physician. An individual providing treatment prescribed under this subsection must be a health care practitioner:(1) who is licensed, certified, or registered by an appropriate agency of this state;(2) whose professional credential is recognized and accepted by an appropriate agency of the United States; or(3) who is certified as a provider under the TRICARE military health system.© For purposes of Subsection (, "generally recognized services" may include services such as:(1) evaluation and assessment services;(2) applied behavior analysis;(3) behavior training and behavior management;(4) speech therapy;(5) occupational therapy;(6) physical therapy; or(7) medications or nutritional supplements used to address symptoms of autism spectrum disorder.This statute also calls out a primary care physician and treatment plan recommended by that physician. Ive never known a school who has a physician on staff that gives out treatment plans to kids with autism for outside therapy. If the school is bullying you saying they will not excuse outside therapy only if its from a school treatment plan, they are legally wrong and you have ground to take them to court or at least file a complaint with the TEA.

Re: Re: What are the required credentials for diagnosing Autism?

That is what I figured. My son has preschool on the basis if severe speech delay due to his chromosomal syndrome and our doctors have diagnosed him with autism however the school won't test him for that since they said none of his services would change at this point.Sent from my iPad

They will only use the "educational " diagnosis. Stilwell wrote:>But do they count the medical doctors diagnosis or is it only if the school district also diagnoses them? >>Sent from my iPad>>>>> Lorree,>> >> Yes, I knew this as my son had to be taken out frequently for therapy.>> >> Haven>>

[Guest guest]

My hunch would be to look at your individual situation.  If in your opinion your child needs the services and supports afforded to children under IDEA, then you will have to push via filing a complaint or filing due process.  It is of course best to get your district's local grievance policy first and follow it, and then if you can't resolve it you have to go beyond your district.

Had my son been denied, having been pretty severely affected at age three and non-verbal, I would have had to go as far as I had to go to get him categorized appropriately.Sometimes it doesn't even matter if you get the right diagnosis and the right IEP.  All of it is only as good and honest as the people who are charged with implementing it.  Lots of things look good on paper, but the reality is a very different matter.  If it is going to work for any child, the parent has to be the watch dog and demand accountability. JMO.

[Guest guest]

Ok, so as sad as this is going to sound, each time I hear a new and

shocking complaint about how a school is denying services for an

autistic child, there's a little part of me that hopes that one day

we're in a position where someone could justify (rightly or not)

trying to take away his services. is completely non verbal,

and right now my concerns are more about fighting for least

restrictive environment than losing services. *sigh*

[Guest guest]

Oh absolutely, right now we are at the point of an IEE... however I have been waiting since before spring break for them to get a contract with the person I want......CarolynSent from my iPad

My hunch would be to look at your individual situation. If in your opinion your child needs the services and supports afforded to children under IDEA, then you will have to push via filing a complaint or filing due process. It is of course best to get your district's local grievance policy first and follow it, and then if you can't resolve it you have to go beyond your district.

Had my son been denied, having been pretty severely affected at age three and non-verbal, I would have had to go as far as I had to go to get him categorized appropriately.Sometimes it doesn't even matter if you get the right diagnosis and the right IEP. All of it is only as good and honest as the people who are charged with implementing it. Lots of things look good on paper, but the reality is a very different matter. If it is going to work for any child, the parent has to be the watch dog and demand accountability. JMO.

[Guest guest]

Is it possible to band together and file a class action suit against multiple school districts??CarolynSent from my iPad

If he does have autism they know much would change. This really disturbs me. They must have received training on how to deny services to children with autism. I am not kidding. If many schools are now doing this, something is afoot. We need to do something about this and it may need to be at the legislative level.

C.