Intensive Behavorial Services | Lehigh Valley Autism

What is Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS)?

IBHS are, Medicaid-funded services for children under the age of 21, focused on skill development to support emotional and behavioral issues through child centered strengths based approach. BHRS are family and child- centered, and they can take place in variety of settings including the home, school/preschool, daycare and the community. Services are provided by a Masters Level Behavior Consultant, Masters Level Mobile Therapist and a Behavioral Health Technician.

Please note each agency is run differently and their services are also compensated differently. When considering an agency, please ask questions about the services they won't provide when considering your child's needs and goals.

IBHS has three categories of service:

1) individual services which provide services to one child

2) Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) which is a specific behavioral approach to services

3) Group services which are most often provided to multiple children at a specific place.

How do I get the process started?

You want to ask your pediatrician, physician's assistant, a psychologist/psychiatrist, a licensed clinical social worker or licensed professional counselor for a written order. You can give it to the provider when you call. They will do an assessment of your child's strengths and challenges, what supports you have in place and what will be needed to help your child.

What goals can I expect?

All goals are child centered and family focused in order to target meaningful improvements.

Increased functional communication, social, and play skills.
Decreased behaviors interfering with participation in daily activities at home, school, or in the community.
Generalized skills learned through structured therapy to apply into the natural environment.

The following services can be provided depending on need and medical necessity:

Psychological Evaluation: this determines the medical necessity and need for specialized and individual services.
Behavioral Specialist Consultant (BSC): Experienced, trained and expert Psychologist or Master’s level Clinician will create the treatment plan with the family and team engagement and consult with all parties involved. The BSC will supervise the process to ensure that everyone involved follows the specific treatment plan to promote individualized behavior modification and success.
Mobile Therapist (MT): A Mobile Therapist provides therapy while following the treatment plan to work on strengths and needs in the setting that best pairs with the individual served.
Therapeutic Staff Support (TSS): A TSS will work more closely to help support use of skills and tools in order to modify behavior for a specified amount of hours on a daily basis. This service can occur in the school or home based on where the behaviors are occurring.

Community Venues where BHRS staff can be admitted free/deep discount

Crayola Factory- FREE Admission. Request for an “Aide Pass” and show ID.
Allentown Bowling Alley - Rose Bowl - Admission is $1.00 and shoe rental is free.
Dorney Park - FREE admission. The agency your child is with must provide a list of their employees or have badges and ID.
DaVinci Science Center - as of Jan. 2017- They are working on a plan to allow TSS and BSC to attend with the child at no cost.
Bounce U in Easton did not charge me when we attended with our BSC and TSS.
Klein Farms-admission is free for everyone.

Recommended ages: Ideally preschool age because it's harder to get after school hours.

Can I switch agencies? Yes, you can switch agencies at any time. You can start by contacting agencies you would like services from. Then notify the agency you are currently working with and ask for a form for permission to transfer records. This process can take a few weeks.

Recommended Books

The Autism Discussion Page on anxiety, behavior, school, and parenting strategies

The Autism Discussion Page on the core challenges of autism: A Toolbox for Helping Children with Autism Feel Safe, Accepted, and Competent

The Autism Discussion Page on Stress, Anxiety, Shutdowns and Meltdowns

Articles

The Autism Self-Harm Connection

Causes and Interventions for Self-Injury in Autism

18 IEP Goals for Self-Regulation Skills (examples)

Recommended Resources

The Autism Discussion Page was developed by Bill Nason, MS, LLP to discuss tools that help children on the spectrum feel safe, accepted and competent. Bill has a wonderful, approachable way of explaining behavior exhibited by people with Autism. He highlights their unique strengths and explains their challenges better than anyone I know. This Facebook page is especially good for caregivers and professionals alike.

Facebook page

Providers:

Access Services

Where: 3975 Township Line Road, Bethlehem, PA 18020-4200

Call: 877.896.6667

Website

KidsPeace

IBHS: Provides clinical, child-centered, family-focused care to clients with an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis, to assist in new skill development and coping mechanisms for clients and families. Expert KidsPeace professionals provide the services in the client’s home, school, daycare center or community settings.

Group IBHS: Afterschool Program and Sarah’s Smile Summer Program (Broadway Campus & Berks Campus) – This site-based program provides an opportunity for children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis to develop and practice social skills with peers using individualized curricula founded on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

Where: 1620 Broadway Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015

Call: 610-799-8222

Website

Salsbury Behavioral Health Services

Where: 236 Brodhead Rd., Suite 110, Bethlehem, PA 18017

Call: 610-973-0970

Website

OMNI

Locations: PA: Colmar, Allentown, Bristol, Bethlehem, Chester, Hazelton, Kingston, Scranton, Tobyhanna, Upper Darby, Wilson Borough

Call: 215-997-2000

Website

New Story Group