Encore Support Services

Special Education Services FAQS

  • Who is eligible to receive special education
    services through Encore?

    Children ages 5+ who have 1) a Department of Education IEP, 2) have been receiving special education services (SEIT) during preschool, and 3) transitioned to school-age services.

    What services are available?

    Special education services and related services.

    What special education services does Encore offer?

    Encore’s special education services are typically done in a 1:1 setting targeting the academic, language, social, emotional and behavioral skills. An Encore supervisor learns about your child, assigns therapists to work with your child, and continuously monitors your child’s progress.

    What are related services?

    Related services are support services in addition to the special education program. Some examples of related services offered at Encore are speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, and paraprofessional services.

    Where do services take place?

    Our services are child-specific and individualized. Services location can include the child’s school, home, center-based and hybrid.

  • What is an IEP?

    IEP stands for Individual Education Program, namely the document created by the Committee of Preschool Education (CPSE) and/or the Committee of Special Education (CSE). This IEP is a legal document; it must be created by adhering to legal procedures, and it indicates a child’s classification, program recommendation, related services, goals and objectives.

    What does “Turning 5”/aging out mean?

    This refers to the time when a child ages out of preschool, CPSE (Committee of Preschool Education), and will be transitioning to school age, CSE (Committee of Special Education). A child turning 5 prior to December 31st of the current year is considered a “turning 5” even though they may only be 4 years old now. A special “Turning 5” IEP meeting is held and your child’s IEP and recommendations may change.

    What is the Turning 5 process?

    Your participation in the Turning 5/aging out process, as a parent, is extremely important. First you will receive a Notice of Referral, notifying you about this process and requesting consent. Before the IEP meeting, the DOE might conduct new assessments and evaluations, if necessary. You should obtain copies of new assessments and evaluations before the IEP meeting. Contact the DOE if you didn’t get copies before the IEP meeting. The next step is your child’s IEP meeting. You must receive written notice of the date, time, and location at least 5 days before the meeting. A school age IEP will be developed if the IEP team determines that your child eligible for special education services. You will receive a Prior Written Notice, the new CSE IEP and any placement recommendations by mail, typically by June 15th.

Encore ABA Services FAQS

  • Who is eligible for EncoreABA Services through insurance?

    An individual with an ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) diagnosis, including high-functioning autism.

    What is autism?

    Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and restricted and repetitive behavior. The symptoms of autism may range from total lack of communication with others to difficulty in understanding others’ feelings. Because of the wide range of symptoms, this condition is now called ASD—Autism Spectrum Disorder. Children with high-functioning autism, at one end of the ASD spectrum, display milder symptoms and less severe signs than other forms of autism. In fact, individuals with high-functioning autism usually have average or above-average intelligence. Never the less, coping with this condition presents their own set of challenges for the individual and family.

    What is ABA?

    ABA, the acronym for Applied Behavior Analysis, is the systematic approach for influencing socially important behavior through the identification of related environmental variables and the implementation of behavior changes techniques. ABA services may include behavioral assessments, data analysis, and behavior intervention plans. Recent studies concluded that ABA is the most effective treatment for children with autism.

  • Which insurance plans cover the ABA services?

    Contact us to speak to an insurance advisor to see if your plan covers ABA services.

    Where do the services take place?

    EncoreABA services are highly individualized and cater to the specific needs of your child. Services can take place at home, school and community settings, center-based and more.

    I suspect my child may be on the autism spectrum but he/she has never been officially diagnosed with ASD. What are my next steps?

    Schedule an appointment with a psychologist, neurologist or developmental pediatrician to determine if your child meets the criteria for an ASD diagnosis. Feel free to contact our office for referrals. Once your child has been diagnosed, he/she is eligible for ABA services through insurance.

    My child is receiving services through the Department of Education. Is he/she eligible for ABA insurance services? Will he/she lose the DOE services?

    EncoreABA and DOE special education services function as highly complementary sets of child-building tools, and are thus provided in addition to one another.