FAQ

The ESDM is a model of autism intervention especially designed for young toddlers and preschoolers with autism. It is a model that fuses developmental psychology, relationship-oriented and play based approaches with techniques from applied behavior analysis to create a highly rewarding and effective intervention. It fosters motivation by using highly preferred materials, offering frequent child choice and by allowing the child to lead and follow within social routines. The ESDM creates opportunities to share positive affective experiences and targets growth in skills across all developmental areas including expressive and receptive communication, play skills, imitation skills.

Clinicians at SSPS are trained to provide services across all ages. ESDM Services are appropriate for children under the age of 60 months. Our ESDM services are currently open to referral. Our Calm Compassionate Parenting services are also open to referral.

If we do not have an immediate opening for services, we maintain a waiting list.

ESDM services are primarily available in the home or community settings (i.e. daycare settings) for children living in Cohasset, Hingham, Hull, Norwell, Scituate and Weymouth, MA. It may One time weekly, center-based services may be scheduled depending on needs and availability. Parent/Caregiver-Coaching ESDM may be center based or provided via telehealth.

ESDM Services are scheduled traditionally between 8 am and 6 pm on week days. We will work with you to find times that work for your child and family..

We are a team of professionals with varied backgrounds. Direct services will be provided by Licensed Clinical Psychologists, Board Certified Behavior Analysts, Registered Behavior Technicians and Behavior Technicians. Our technicians are closely supervised directly and through individual and group supervision by BCBA’s and psychologists.

SSPS contracts with a billing service that will work with you to help you understand your insurance plan and coverage. Our clinicians vary in terms of their participation with insurance panels. We will review insurance to make sure you understand your insurance coverage before services begin.

SSPS is contracted to provide intensive direct autism services with Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). For other insurance carriers, SSPS can provide a superbill for services rendered. If you have a PPO Plan or POS plan with an insurance company that is not BCBS, it may be possible for you to submit a superbill to your insurance to receive some reimbursement compensation.

If you do not have Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance and are seeking ESDM services, you will be responsible for payment at the time of service. To best understand your insurance coverage, SSPS suggests you contact your insurance carrier directly to inquire about possible coverage.

Additional insurance contracts are in process for ESDM service providers.

We do not offer speech therapy at this time. However, we collaborate closely with several community speech pathologists. We believe it is important to coordinate care across providers and will set up regular opportunities to share information to ensure progress and generalization of skills.

If your child has a new diagnosis of autism and has not started to work with an ABA company, your child may be able to receive low or high intensity ESDM services. If your child is already receiving ABA services, and you are interested in Parent Coaching services with Dr. Jennifer Epstein, her services are covered by most insurance panels for one or two visits per week.

SSPS will help coordinate a careful transition to public school. Additionally, you may be able t continue to receive ESDM Direct therapy after your child begins attending preschool.