ASNC’s Clinical Department is excited to continue expanding service areas for the LifeLong Interventions (LLI) program! LLI has recently made its way to the Asheville and Wilmington areas. In light of our ever-growing program, we wanted to share the answers to some frequently asked questions to help the community better understand what the program is, what it looks like, and who might be a good fit for this service.
What is LifeLong Interventions?
LLI is a comprehensive behavior analytic program for individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. LLI is direct intervention offered to individuals of all ages and across the spectrum.
Who provides LifeLong Interventions?
ASNC’s Clinical Department employs a three-tiered system of staff to ensure comprehensive services. At the top, Dr. Aleck Myers, a Licensed Psychologist, serves as the Clinical Director overseeing all the clinicians (Licensed Psychologists, Licensed Psychological Associates, and Board Certified Behavior Analysts). These mid-level clinicians assist in assessing each client’s needs, designing individual treatment packages, and scheduling, implementing, and monitoring each client’s progress. Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBAs) are the paraprofessionals who provide the direct care to the clients, under the direct supervision of the above clinicians.
How often are services provided?
Services are provided at a minimum of 10 hours per week and up to as many as 40 hours per week, depending on the need and schedule of each individual client. A clinical recommendation on the amount and frequency of services will be included in the Initial Plan of Care developed following the assessment.
Where are services provided?
LLI is a home- and community-based service, so the majority of services will be provided in the individual’s home, group home, park, grocery store, etc. We want to teach individuals in their environments to increase their potential for success and work toward generalizing skills across settings, people, and events.
We are currently serving LLI clients in the Triangle, Asheville, Charlotte, and Wilmington areas.
How do I pay for this?
We serve clients who have health insurance with many private companies, including BCBSNC, Aetna, and United Healthcare. If you are unsure whether your policy covers Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), contact your human resources department or the customer service line on the back of your insurance card to determine your benefits.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that oversees state Medicaid programs, now requires states to cover behavioral services for children on Medicaid who are younger than 21 and diagnosed with autism. This is funded through the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment program (EPSDT). We are now providing comprehensive ABA services under this program across the state.
ASNC also accepts private payment from families who do not have insurance coverage but are interested in receiving comprehensive ABA services.
This sounds great! How do I make a referral or check whether LLI would be a good fit for my loved one?
Melissa Brown is our Intake Coordinator. She does a fantastic job of helping families navigate insurance and figure out whether LLI is a good fit for their loved ones. Contact her at 919-743-0204 ext. 1124 or mbrown@autismsociety-nc.org.
Ryan Sayre, MA, LPC, BCBA, ASNC Clinical Professional, can be reached at rsayre@autismsociety-nc.org or 910-782-3499.
ASNC’s Clinical Services Department staff is composed of PhD and master’s-level licensed psychologists, Board Certified Behavior Analysts, and former special education teachers. We provide individualized intensive consultation using evidence-based practices to support children and adults across the spectrum in home, school, employment, residential, and other community-based contexts. We also deliver workshops to parents and professionals on a wide range of topics including but not limited to, strategies to prevent and respond to challenging behaviors, best practices in early intervention, functional communication training, and enhancing social understanding in individuals with autism.
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