SAS General Information

Correspondence

If information is emailed to you, such as product information, or an article, it is important that you take the time to read through this as I take time to research certain topics and resources for each and every child. My emails and attachments are designed to keep you well informed about your child's program, and may contain suggestions for you to follow at home. It is imperative that all parties involved with the child, especially the parents and the staff at his/her school, to be actively involved in all aspects of their child's program.

Most communication between SAS and their clients is done via email. SAS is well aware of the busy schedules of its clients, but it is important that there is open communication and emails/phone calls should be responded to at the earliest convenience.

Invoicing and Payment

Clients are required to agree to six month working agreements with SAS. Please refer to the Project Guidelines documents for details. Please keep fee schedules confidential.

Paperwork

Please complete all initial paperwork given to you by SAS prior to the first session of parent consultation, home or school observations, program planning, meetings, or training of any kind. Each client is required to read and adhere to the General Terms and Conditions.

Program Planning

The amount of hours for program planning may vary from month to month. Initially a majority of the hours (approximately 3 hours) will be spent assessing your child's needs via formal assessments, meetings with the parents, other caregivers, teachers, and other therapists that work with your child and may include observations of the child at school and at home. Depending on the age of your child, you will be asked to complete a CDI (Child Development Inventory) which will provide vital information for the design of your child's individual programme.

Program Planning may include but is not limited to:

  • Creation of visual supports (visual schedules, PECS symbols, task analysis)
  • Original design of initial individual program for each child
  • Data notebook with page dividers
  • Additional data sheets
  • Research on child specific issues
  • Conferring with other specialists if needed
  • Meetings with and/or advising parents, caregivers, teachers, therapists (IEP)
  • Report writing
  • Parent education/training
  • Tutor/therapist training
  • Purchase of resources (books, manuals,toys, etc) specifically for your child

Punctuality

SAS expects all clients to be punctual for their scheduled appointments and to call or send an email or text if you will be late. If the client is more than 15 minutes late at the beginning of a session without prior notification, the session will be canceled and the full amount charged to the client.

Observations in the home

Please do not involve SAS or its agents in personal conflicts within the family. Please refrain from involving SAS in family disputes with other siblings or with a spouse. This tends to be very awkward, in addition to embarrassing the other parties involved. SAS does not act as a social worker or family counselor, its role is specifically to help the child and to give support and advice to the family as it pertains directly to the child.

Regular Meetings

It is vital for SAS to meet regularly with all those involved with the child, including parents, other caregivers, therapists and teachers in order to enhance the consistency of the program. Research has shown that if everyone involved reacts to the child differently, progress is inhibited and this leads to confusion for the child, and may lead to aberrant behavior.

It is imperative that the family work closely with SAS and maintain contact with the school or daycare center where their child will be spending a large portion of their time. SAS expects the cooperation of school personnel so that the child's program is agreed upon and followed by all involved. Regular meetings should be set up throughout the year.

Regularity of Sessions

A schedule will be agreed upon verbally, via email or in person. The client must give 24 hours prior notice for any cancellation of scheduled sessions (this includes program planning, meetings, observations and training or any other scheduled session).

Discussions before, during or after Scheduled Sessions

Any negative comments or questions concerning your child should not be shared in their presence. If a parent or other caregiver wants to inform me of something about the child (and it is negative in nature), please only do so via telephone or email. Doing this in front of the child only serves to hurt them and permanently damage their self-esteem.

SAS reserves the right to increase fees and alter the General Terms and Conditions contract, and the SAS General Information document as needed. Please refer to www.specializedautismservices.com frequently to stay updated on the latest revisions to this document.

This information applies to all clients of SAS and is posted on the SAS website