In watching Autism 911, I was intrigued by the concept (yes, even autistic behavior can be modified with a system of rewards based on a learner's special interests). What shocked me, though, was the statement by the CNN anchor that a single day of behavioral intervention by the Autism Partnership costs... $2,500.
Yes, I know, behavior therapy is a specialized field. But it requires no expensive equipment, no overhead expenses, no lab tests. In fact, the cost of behavioral therapy is the cost of an individual coming into the home and working with an autistic child for 8 hours. Exhausting? Yes. Rocket science? I would say... no.
Those of us who work for a living - and are not high end lawyers - know that it is next to impossible to earn $2,500 a day. And autism therapy is not a lovely luxury, or a corporate lawyer on retainer. It's support for a child and family in desperate need.
So - what can possibly justify a fee of $2,500 per day for behavior therapy? Does anyone have a clue? So far as I'm concerned, it's simple highway robbery.
because so few people are willing to do it, that you have to pay a pretty penny to get them to do it. But really, I doubt it’s that expensive everywhere. For my son’s 15/hrs a week, they’re paying “more than $7/hr” (I don’t know any more than that as the babysitter has now been hired by a therapy company to work with him). If it’s determined he needs more hours by the therapy company, they’ll increase it. (case management is covering it, since it’s being paid by the state, I sincerely doubt they’re paying the equivalent…)
I think if parents did this themselves, much like RDI being parent based, one could loose the spendy therapist and still see good results. I think many parents believe they cant be that ‘therapist’, and have to hire outside help. There should be a cap on what can be charged. Not every one can do this, but since I had to quit my job and be home with my child, I was going to make it worth my while and started RDI.
I really think the costs are so out rages for get the childs wellness lets buy another car.
check this site out http://kpentersee.com/whatcausesautism.html
I think this group really used CNN to advertise there outrageously expensive therapy.So many parents of autistic children are so desperate for help and relief,that they may feel if they pay this group $2500.00 a day that all will be solved.Behavior modification is certainly not a new technique and there are therapist and groups that will work with families for a lot less money than $2500 per day.Sadly,there are always people around to take advantage of those in pain.
CNN article today reports the cost being 20K per week.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/04/autism.resolution/index.html?iref=newssearch
and after 5 days of this being free to the family, the transformation is eye opening, to say the least. The teen is no longer unruly. Almost sounds to god to be true.
We understand the negative reactions being voiced over CNN’s reported cost of $20,000 for RES-Q (Autism 911), but there is more to the story. In fact, the cost is $2500 per day and is usually completed in five days (which was the length of time for Marissa’s intervention).
RES-Q is actually a very tiny part of the work we do. Out of more than 300 children we see yearly, an average of only 5 will need the intensive in-home intervention. The families who have participated in RES-Q have been able to obtain funding for the intervention through a variety of means. One of the reasons why funding agencies recognize the value of and need for this intervention is that it often means the difference between continuing to live at home vs. requiring residential placement.
We work diligently to keep costs as low as possible, but we are not willing to sacrifice the quality of services. To develop staff with the level of expertise and training that Rick has is costly. Although it might seem as simple as sending a therapist out for a few hours, there is extensive support and time behind the scenes to ensure a successful outcome for treatment. The intervention is a team effort which includes psychologists with more than 30 years of experience working with children, adolescents and adults with ASD.
Those of us who founded Autism Partnership and all of our staff members did not enter this field out of a desire to get rich. If that was the goal, we would have chosen other fields. We take seriously our commitment to helping parents and their children. We provide a variety of services including direct intervention, parent support, and consultations in schools to help teachers and school districts provide effective education. We work collaboratively with funding agencies so that parents get financial support and can afford the intervention that is so vital to their child. We also conduct low fee and free workshops, as well as writing books to help families.
Our goal in participating in the CNN report was for parents to see that there is hope, that children can change. As Marissa’s mom said, she didn’t realize that Marissa could be capable of accomplishing so much. We are thrilled that Autism Partnership was able to help Marissa and her family. It is gratifying that they are able to enjoy life in ways they thought were not possible. Children with Autism having amazing potential. Our job is showing parents and teachers how to help them achieve the high quality of life they deserve.
>>I think if parents did this themselves, much like RDI being parent based, one could loose the spendy therapist and still see good results. I think many parents believe they cant be that ‘therapist’, and have to hire outside help. There should be a cap on what can be charged. Not every one can do this, but since I had to quit my job and be home with my child, I was going to make it worth my while and started RDI.
I have received a message stating that a site that I have read was wrong here it is again http://kpentersee.com/whatcausesautism.