Due to the growing number of children being diagnosed with autism, many government programs are providing support to families. Heartspring Pediatric Services is participating in The Enhanced Access to Autism Services Demonstration, an enhancement to TRICARE’s Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) program, which allows for reimbursement for applied behavior analysis (ABA) provided by tutors to children of active duty personnel who are diagnosed with autism. Similarly, employees of the state of Kansas who have children with autism are also awarded services through State of Kansas Employee Autism Pilot Program. 

Heartspring increased the number of services provided under the state of Kansas Autism Waiver and independent autism programs over this last year. Over 2,806 hours of intensive individual services were provided to 16 children between the ages of two and eight diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during the 2010 fiscal year. These services include assessment, an individual behavior plan, and one-on-one tutoring in the home, community, or at Heartspring. Heartspring has been an approved service provider through the Autism Waiver since it’s inception in 2008.

“Even though not all children with autism are eligible to receive intensive individual services, there are a number of families who are able to access these supports,” said Kimberly Becker, director of Pediatric Services. “Heartspring feels obligated to participate in these programs. We have the expertise to share with individuals in need of these interventions, and feel our duty is to provide our quality personnel with the families in Kansas.”
For more information on any of these programs, please contact Heartspring Pediatric Services, 316-634-8710.