Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When can you begin working with my child?
A. Inside Out frequently has a waiting list for services. The first step to securing services is to fill out and return an application form. You also need to work on securing funding from your local educational agency (e.g. regional center or school district) unless you are planning on funding the program privately.
Once Inside Out has an opening in your area, you will be contacted by a representative to discuss details of formally beginning a program. Inside Out can not begin to provide services unless you have a formal diagnosis for your child and funding is already secured.
Q. What can I do now, while I am waiting to begin a program?
A. Interact with your child frequently. Do what comes naturally, and do things that have been successful for you and your child up until now. Additionally, there are many great books that you can read that can educate you and will help prepare you for an intensive program. Our staff will be happy to provide you with a recommended reading list.
Q. How many hours of intervention will my child need?
A. Each program is designed individually to meet the needs of your specific child. Once Inside Out has the opportunity to assess your child, recommendations for program hours will be made. The number of hours may also depend in part, on the number of hours approved by your funding agency (e.g. school district, regional center).
Q. How long will the program last?
A. This again is specific to each child. Our intensive programs are designed to take approximately two to three years. However, it is entirely dependent on the individual child’s needs and his/her rate of progress and how well he/she responds to the therapy. Every child’s capacity and rate of learning varies.
Q. Will my child have the same team of therapists for the duration of therapy?
A. Some therapists may remain with your program for its duration, while others may leave or rotate to other families, depending on specific circumstances. Many of our therapists are college students, whose schedules change frequently.
We do our best to provide coverage and to maintain consistency for your child, but at times, we may not be able to provide all recommended hours. Additionally, it may be necessary to make staffing changes and to rotate staff.
Q. How will I (and my family) be involved in the therapy and to what degree?
A.Family involvement is critical to a successful program. As parents, you will be trained in the techniques and methodologies used by your program team and will be required to follow through and be consistent with recommendations given by your program director during non-programming hours.
You will participate in team meetings, as well as IEP meetings and will be acting administrator for your child’s program. Siblings are encouraged to be involved in the therapy when appropriate as well. This varies from child to child and the frequency and intensity of sibling involvement will be discussed with you by your program director.
Q. When will my child be able to talk?
A. Each child is different. It is impossible to predict when or if your child will use verbal language to communicate. There are a percentage of children on the spectrum that do not learn to speak or whom develop only limited language skills. If your child has some verbal language already, his/her speech will most likely increase.
This will be revealed and assessed overtime, with collaboration with your speech pathologist. While working on spoken language, Inside Out may utilize teaching your child other means of communication, such as sign language, Picture Communication Systems or augmentative communication devices.
Q. Once the program has concluded, will my child be cured?
A. There is no known cure for autism or spectrum disorders at this time. Inside Out does not proclaim to cure any child. Every child is unique and their capacity to learn varies from one child to another. Inside Out strives to teach each child to adapt to and interact with his/her environment.
Our goal is to uncover each child’s potential and give him/her the skills to develop his/her abilities to their fullest. You should keep in mind that upon termination of our program, your child may still need ongoing support.
This support varies from child to child, but even the highest functioning children need constant social engagement of some form (e.g. organized sports, play dates, etc.) and a consistent home environment.