We are so honored that you have chosen Pediatrics Plus to provide therapy services for your child. We are committed to serving you and your child to the best of our ability.
Below are some commonly asked questions that will help you understand the therapy process. We understand that this process is new to most families; therefore, we are always available to answer your questions and assist you in any way.
My child was recommended to have a therapy evaluation by his/her pediatrician. Now what?
Contact Pediatrics Plus and tell us that you need to make a referral for your child to receive therapy. We will take in all pertinent information for your child and then contact your pediatrician’s office for a prescription for the evaluation if you do not have one. We will verify your funding source for eligibility and coverage of therapy evaluations.
In Arkansas, we accept TEFRA, AR Medicaid, SSI, Insurance, Early Intervention, and Private Pay. In Texas, we accept Insurance and Private Pay. A representative from the Pediatrics Plus team will contact you to explain your benefits and provide additional funding options for you if needed. When we have received the prescription and approved funding, the referral manager or a therapist will then contact you to schedule the evaluation.
Why do you contact my insurance company to verify benefits?
Pediatrics Plus is committed to providing the best care for all families, and this includes being sure that your family is not put under financial stress due to receiving therapy for your child. We want all families to be aware of any out-of-pocket costs that may occur before services are rendered. We will do everything possible to provide additional funding options for you if your insurance company does not cover the therapy that your child needs.
My child qualifies for therapy. Now what?
After your therapist performs the evaluation, they have one week to turn the report into our administration office. If your child qualifies for therapy, we will send a copy of the report to you in the mail, as well as to your pediatrician for a prescription for treatment. In Arkansas, we accept TEFRA, AR Medicaid, SSI, Insurance, Early Intervention, and Private Pay. In Texas, we accept Insurance and Private Pay. This may mean several phone calls between you and our office; please remember that the prompt return of calls will ensure that your child’s services are started as soon as possible. After we have approved funding and received a new prescription for treatment, a therapist will contact you to set up the therapy sessions. Please note that the therapist who performed your child’s evaluation may or may not be the same therapist that will provide treatment.
My child qualified for therapy, and it has not started yet. What do I do?
Sometimes it can take up to 3-4 weeks after your child has been evaluated for therapy sessions to begin. The best way to keep this process moving is to stay in contact with our office. We are always happy to address any concerns or answer any questions that you may have.
How often will my child receive therapy?
The amount of therapy that your child will receive is based on your child’s specific needs that are determined by the evaluating therapist. The therapist will include recommendations for therapy in your child’s report; this report will also include specific goals that your child will be working towards during therapy sessions.
My child did not qualify for therapy but was recommended to be re-evaluated. What do I do?
If a child does not qualify for therapy services at the time of the initial evaluation, the therapist may recommend the child return in 3-9 months to be re-evaluated. If your child receives these recommendations and your pediatrician is in agreement, we will contact you at the recommended re-evaluation date to see if you feel that the re-evaluation is necessary. In order for us to perform the re-evaluation, we will have to request a new prescription from your pediatrician’s office. However, if at any time you feel that your child needs to be re-evaluated, please contact our office and we will be happy to assist you.
What are national resources for children with special needs?
Social Security Administration
This is the official Social Security website. The Social Security Administration delivers Social Security services that meet the changing needs of the public.
Reach Out and Read
Reach Out and Read makes literacy promotion a standard part of pediatric primary care, so that children grow up to love reading. Reach Out and Read helps families and communities encourage literacy skills so children enter school prepared for success in ready.
What are more resources in Arkansas?
Arkansas Advocacy
For more than 30 years, AACF has provided leadership, research and advocacy to promote wide-ranging reforms that have improved the lives of Arkansas children, and have never been afraid to lead the way when the need arose. Their work includes protecting children, improving children's health, fighting for early education and out-of-school opportunities, and promoting economic security.
Arkansas Autism Alliance
The Arkansas Autism Alliance (AAA) is a collaborative effort about research and physicians of Arkansas Children's Hospital and Research Institute for Medical Sciences Department of Pediatrics who share a common interest in the study of autism and its causes and the provision of the best possible care to children with autism.
Arkansas Head Start
Head Start programs serve low-income children and their families. The purpose is to promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social, other services.
Department of Human Services/Division of County Operations
The Division of County Operations mission is to ensure the delivery of quality human services that strengthen the health and well-being of Arkansas' children, families and adults.
ICAN (Increasing Capabilities Access Network)
ICAN AT4ALL is Arkansas' statewide assistive technology program designed to make technology available and accessible for everyone who needs it. Assistive technology (AT) is any kind of device or tool that helps people learn, work, communicate and live more independently. AT can be very simple and inexpensive, like a modified knife and fork, or it can be very sophisticated and costly, like a computerized speech device.
Partners for Inclusive Communities
Partners for Inclusive Communities (Partners) is Arkansas' University Center on Disabilities. Administratively located within the University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions, Partners is a member of the nationwide Association of University Centers on Disabilities – AUCD.
What are more resources in Texas?
Texas Parent To Parent
TxP2P empowers parents of children with disabilities with education, resources, and peer support. They offer parent support groups, mentor programs, advocacy, health education, and toolkits to utilize at home.
Disability Rights Texas
In 1977, Disability Rights Texas became the first protection and advocacy (P&A) agency for the state of Texas. This agency provides assistance for individuals with disabilities and their families as they learn how to utilize and protect their rights under the law.
The Arc of Texas
The Arc of Texas protects, informs, and advocates for public policy that enhances the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families in the state of Texas.
Texas Autism Research & Resource Center
TARRC is a program from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services that aims to connect parents with autism research and publications, community resources, health providers, and other support organizations.
Autism Society of Texas
Autism Society of Texas provides education events, connections groups, and toolkits for families to use at home.
Texas Department of State Health Services
The Texas DSHS connects families with information about current health information and resources in the state of Texas. The Texas DSHS website provides access to research and data, advocacy and support networks, and other public health resources.
Texas Assistive Technology Network
TATN works with public education agencies across the state to increase the availability of assistive technology devices and services as well as “accessible instructional and educational materials.”
What is Community Connections?
Community Connections
Community Connections is a non-profit organization in central Arkansas providing extra-curricular activities for children with special needs & support for their families.
Additional Resources
Education Programs
Head Start programs serve low-income children and their families. The purpose is to promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social, other services.
Handwriting Without Tears
The Handwriting Without Tears curriculum draws from years of innovation and research to provide developmentally appropriate, multisensory tools and strategies for your classroom. The program follows research that demonstrates children learn more effectively by actively doing, with materials that address all styles of learning.
Center on the Developing Child
The mission of the Center on the Developing Child is to drive science-based innovation that achieves breakthrough outcomes for children facing adversity. The Center’s goal is meaningful change in policy and practice that produces substantially larger impacts on the learning capacity, health, and economic and social mobility of vulnerable young children.
