This summary contains supplemental information from third-party sources where that information provides clarity to the issues being discussed. Not every comment or statement from the speakers in these summaries is an exact transcription. For the purpose of brevity, their statements are often paraphrased. These documents should not be viewed as a word-for-word account of every meeting or hearing, but a summary. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of these summaries.
Meeting Summary
The Texas Autism Council advises and makes recommendations to state agencies and the state Legislature to ensure that the needs of persons of all ages with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders and their families are addressed and that all available resources are coordinated to meet those needs. The Texas Autism Council performs the following functions:
- makes recommendations to HHSC through regularly scheduled meetings and HHSC staff assigned to the council; and
- other tasks consistent with its purpose that are requested by the executive commissioner.
Not later than November 1 of each even-numbered year, the council prepares a report to the executive commissioner, governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the House of Representatives summarizing requirements the council identifies and recommendations for providing additional or improved services to persons with autism. The Texas Autism Council consists of no more than 24 members. All members must have knowledge of and an interest in autism spectrum disorder.
- Each public member is appointed by the executive commissioner for a term of two years. The majority of public members are family members of persons with autism spectrum disorder.
- Each ex officio member is appointed by the commissioner or executive head of the represented agency.
Introduction
The meeting was convened by the Chair, Wesley Dotson. A quorum was present. The minutes from the meeting on April 6, 2018, were approved with a minor change.
Members:
Public Members:
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Ex officio Members:
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Policy issues and Meeting Highlights
The Council gathered for their quarterly meeting and received updates from members as well as an overview of the Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECI).
Resolutions and Meeting Conclusion
No public comment was offered. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Reports:
Council Chair activities—We are in the process of completing the draft report for November first. Stories have been provided for inclusion in the report. The Chair commended HHSC on having TARC back and a successful conference. There was enthusiastic support for the conference from the Council.
Local program activities—The Autism Society of Central Texas is now the Autism Society of Texas. There is now an interim director in place. The TWC inquired about the employment specialist position and asked what this person does. The speaker responded that Autism Society has a grant with the city of Austin, the bulk of the funds for which go into the employment specialist’s salary. In general, that person runs groups related to vocational services. The Chair suggested that this be added to the next agenda… collaboration between the Autism Council and Autism Society.
Family member activities—no comments.
Inter/Intra agency partners’ activities—The ARC of Beaumont is putting on a special education parent seminar and it is a free conference.
Consumer activities—The Chair stated that they do have licensure requirements for applied behavioral analysis in the state, and September one is the start-date for the licensure requirements.
Presentation: Health and Human Services Commission Early Childhood Intervention Services. [Presentation] Dana McGrath, Director
A newborn’s brain is 25 percent of the weight of an adult’s brain. The birth-to-three year period is the fastest rate of brain development across the entire human life span. By age three, a child’s brain has reached nearly 90 percent of its adult size. ECI addresses the needs of the family. As such, ECI is:
Family-centered
- Individualized
- Team approach
- Services provided in the family’s natural environment
- Home and community
- Intervention provided through typical everyday family routines
- Supports the parent-child relationship
The speaker provided a film where a parent spoke on how ECI worked with them. The family stated that it is not just what ECI does with the child but what they do with the family.
Program Search Page: citysearch.hhsc.state.tx.us
Eligibility Criteria
- Qualifying medical diagnosis
- Auditory or visual impairment
- Developmental delay
ECI’s Approach is:
- Family-Centered
- Team Approach
- Individualized
- Services provided in the natural environment
- Intervention provided through typical family routines
- ECI supports the parent/child relationship
- Focused on coaching families
Questions and Answers:
Q: A concern [the speaker has] heard in the autism world is that, when looking at the referral process and the assessment tool, the children with autism do not get picked up early enough and they lose a lot of time. This is especially true for people who cannot afford private therapy. Am I off-base, and if not, how are those concerns being addressed? A: The speaker stated that they are charged with child-find activities. Their mantra is “early is best.” There is the ability for clinicians to use their clinical judgement and if the tool is not adequate, there can be a shorter eligibility of about 6 months if they are not identified under the BDI.
Q: Is this still cost share? A: It is… 67% are Medicaid-eligible, and those clients do not pay for services. For families who are not Medicaid-eligible, we charge their private insurance first, and any additional cost that we’re unable to charge to insurance can be charged to the family up to a monthly maximum amount.
Q: Can we get information related to the number of children with Autism who transition on to special education? A: The speaker stated that they could probably get that information.
Q: Do providers use the MCHAT? A: The providers are required to identify red flags and if they find them, use an MCHAT.
Q: What kind of training do they get on Autism? A: There is training available on the ECI website and local providers can seek out individual training opportunities.
C: Having training available and training being required are two different things. A: There is one required training before people can deliver direct services. There is also a requirement for continuing education which can be met through supplemental training on autism, but we don’t dictate.
Q: What about a waiting list? A: We are not allowed to have a waiting list, so providers (one provider per zip-code) have to accommodate all who come forward seeking services.
Q: Is there an accountability system if parents are not satisfied? A: If there’s a concern about services, people can call the HHS Ombudsman Office. We also do oversight and monitoring of our contractors and the services they provide. The data and metrics are analyzed, and concerns of parents are addressed. They have never removed a provider, but they have had “frank conversations” with them about their ability to meet program requirements. They have had people exit the program.
C: You represent the potential to work early with children with autism. I was eager to hear about what an individual with autism who has a failed MCHAT could access. What does that look like for someone with a failed MCHAT? And is that unique to certain ECI providers or would it be across the board as a standard? A: If there is a failed MCHAT, then the care coordination kicks in to follow-up with families.
Q: Is there any statewide suggested model of treatment that could be for autism or other disabilities, as well as some sort of guidance for your providers? A: Every child receives individualized treatment even if it looks similar in structure.
Q: Do providers refer to other providers in the community if they do not provide ABA or other requested services? A: Providers are in the position to refer to other providers. Service coordinators are required to know about services and supports available in the community. Local programs can choose how to deliver the array of services and each location can be different. Some can use subcontractors.
Public comment. No public comment was offered.
Adjourn. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
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