Center for Autism and Related Disorders Introduces Remote Clinical Services Nationwide to Offer Underserved Families Access to Care

Online, July 1, 2014 (Newswire.com) - Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) today announced the launch of its nationwide Remote Clinical Services program to offer direct services to families in all 50 states. The program was previously available in 15 states, and CARD has now expanded the program nationwide to give all underserved families access to high-quality treatment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Under this unique program, children can still get top-quality care from a CARD-trained therapist. CARD's highly skilled supervisors travel to families and train local therapists or family members to work directly with the child in the home or out in the community.

As the prevalence of ASD has increased, services for children with ASD have not always kept pace with demand. As a result, families affected by ASD may encounter challenges when trying to access quality treatment. According to survey findings from the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs, children with ASD have more unmet needs than children with other special needs. Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), estimates that one in every 68 children in America is diagnosed with ASD. The increase in autism diagnoses and the lack of resources available to families in many communities leave parents struggling to access the services that are crucial to their child's development. CARD Remote Clinical Services bridges the gap between densely populated areas with local access to services and more remote communities still struggling to keep up with the growing number of children being diagnosed. CARD uses the principles and procedures of applied behavior analysis (ABA) to treat the delays and challenges commonly associated with ASD. ABA is the only scientifically validated treatment for ASD, and research shows that it is most effective when delivered early and at a high level of intensity. By offering therapy across all 50 states, CARD is working hard to ensure that every child diagnosed with ASD has equal access to quality treatment and a brighter future.

CARD Remote Clinical Services individually matches all families with a CARD supervisor to conduct in-depth and ongoing assessments and puts behavior and skill acquisition plans into place during the initial visit. The supervisor then provides ongoing follow-up and support to ensure the quality of the treatment plan. Supervisors are able to travel to the home every month and may assist in school planning, report writing, and specialized care.

Remote Clinical Training and Support includes:
• Understanding Autism;
• ABA Basics;
• Skills® Assessment;
• Skill Acquisition and Maintenance;
• Behavior Management; and
• Ongoing support, school support, additional visits, and specialized care.

"CARD Remote Clinical Services works diligently to provide all families access to the highest quality treatment available," said John Galle, CARD Remote Services Director. "By expanding services to all 50 states, CARD aims to meet the needs of all families living with autism."

The Remote Clinical Services program also features the state-of-the-art, web-based program Skills® to increase effectiveness and ensure consistency in assessment, curriculum, and behavior plans. Skills® allows instant updates and is based on 30 years of clinical research. For more information on Skills®, visit www.skillsforautism.com. In addition, CARD's training program is available online. The eLearning program provides in-depth training on ABA tools and techniques. For more information on the eLearning program, visit www.ibehavioraltraining.com.

For more information on CARD Remote Clinical Services, visit http://centerforautism.com/service.aspx.