Autism Program
Program Philosophy: Gratiot Integrated Health Network (GIHN) provides services to build resilience, and to support the recovery or well-being of individuals and the integration of individuals served into the community. Through service provision, symptoms or needs will be reduced and individuals will experience an improvement in level of functioning in their environment. The program strives to continually improve service provision in order that individuals served experience an enhanced quality of life for qualified individuals who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Program Goals: The goal of GIHN Autism Spectrum services is to provide goal-oriented and individualized services that focus on increasing independence and self-sufficiency for the persons served through assessment, psychological testing, Applied Behavior Analysis programming, coordination, and monitoring activities. An increase in independence and community inclusion opportunities for persons served is the result of successful comprehensive Autism Spectrum services.
Services/Scope of Services: Coverage of Medicaid Autism Behavioral Health Treatment/Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Services is provided for Medicaid eligible children under the age of 21 who are diagnosed with ASD who meet medical necessity criteria. ABA is a Medicaid covered service under the Behavioral Health Treatment “umbrella” within the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit.
ABA services are recommended for children with ASD. ABA services commonly address areas including, but not limited to, the following:
- Language skills
- Social skills
- Communication skills
- Following instructions
- Peer interactions
- Following daily routines
- Self-help and daily living skills
- Behavior Challenges
Assessment services are initiated at the request of the parent, legal guardian or individual. Assessment services are provided Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. and by appointment. Crisis services are provided 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, with a “live person” answering and linking them to crisis staff.
Admission/Re-Admission Criteria: It is the policy of GIHN to provide services to all eligible consumers in a manner that is sensitive to the cultural and socio-economic needs of the individual in a nondiscriminatory and/or non-threatening manner. Services are provided to eligible individuals without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, marital status, sexual preference, handicap, juvenile justice status, or any other protected status as required by law.
Transition/Discharge Criteria: An individual may be transitioned or discharged from ABA services when they no longer meet the eligibility criteria set forth by the state of Michigan and the Medicaid Autism Behavioral Health Treatment/Applied Behavior Analysis Services or when one or more of the following occur:
- Successful completion of goals set forth in the Individual Plan of Service
- Individual, Parent or Legal Guardian request
- Individual requires a different level of service
- Individual no longer meets established eligibility criteria
Regardless of discharge status, any individual may reapply for services by contacting Gratiot Integrated Health Network at 989-463-4971.