What can I expect at my first appointment with a behavioral health clinician? After giving the Receptionist your name, you will meet with the Billing Specialist who will review necessary paperwork needed for billing puposes (you should bring a copy of the insurance card, guardianship, or custody papers, if applicable). It is strongly recommended that you also bring to your appointment copies of psychological or psychiatric evaluations, multi-factoed evaluations, individualized Education Plans, relevant medical reports, and/or My Plans. The guardian or custodial parent must be present at the initial appointment in order to provide consent for treatment. Next, you will meet with the behavioral health clinician who will conduct an interview and/or administer testing depending on the service requested. The clinician willl ask questions about the individual's presenting problems or reason for evaluation as well as information pertaining to ones educational history, vocational history, and social history. The first appointment will last one to two hours depending on the service being requested. At the conclusion of the appointment, the clinician will advise you of their recommendations for on-going behavioral health services. If additional services are clinically indicated, additional appointments may be scheduled at the conclusion of your initial appointment. The client or guardian can request a copy of the evaluation be released to them, or to any other party of their choosing, by signing a release of information. What information is important to provide to the Psychiatrist? At the first appointment, the Psychiatrist will complete an evaluation. Information will be gathered on problem behaviors/symptoms, history of hospitalizations, medical concerns, medications presented, community services/supports available, recent changes in the individual's life, and any additional concerns related to the individual. Should my child be walking? There are many factors that may impact walking. Children typically walk between the ages of 12 and 15 months, some earlier and some later. If a child is not standing with support or pulling to stand by 12 months, you may wish to have their gross motor skills evaluated. If a child is standing without support and cruising around furniture at 18 months of age but not yet walking, you can wait to see how they do; however, if they are not walking by age 2, you should definitely seek an evaluation. My toddler is not talking. Should I be concerned? Between the ages of 18 and 24 months, a child should be able to say about 50 words and begin to put two words together. At 2 to 3 years of age, vocabulary grows rapidly; a child should use 200 to 300 different words and understand twice as many, and they begin using three, four, and five word phrases. Studies show that children with delays who are involved in therapy before the age of 3 years have better outcomes than those who receive services at a later time. How do I know if my child needs Occupational Therapy (OT)? There are certain "red flags" that may indicate a child is in need of OT services. If a child of any age experiences visual problems, has hands that remain "fisted" and/or thumbs in towards palms, is using one hand significantly more than the other, or has very high (tight, stiff) or very low (floppy) muscle tone, they should receive an OT evaluation. A child may also benefit from OT services if by certain ages they are not performing specific skills, which may include but are not limited to: 6 Months Weight bearing on arms when on tummy. Reaching for and grasping objects. Bringing hand to middle of body (chest, mouth). 12 Months Holding two objects and banging together. Transferring object from one hand to another. Using a thumb/index finger "pinch" to pick up small objects 18 Months Drinking from a cup or using utensils to bring food to mouth. Putting objects into containers. 24 Months Putting tiny objects into containers and pouring them out. Turning pages of a book. Using utensils specifically. Taking off shoes, socks,etc. 30 Months Able to do some dressing. Who determines the Help Me Grow program for my family? This is a family driven program based on the goals you want to achieve and the identified needs of your child. Each family receives services based on what they want for their child. What benefit does the Ohio Trust Fund program have for my child? The Ohio Trust Fund can assist you with resources for school readiness, behavioral programs, or identified development needs. How do I make a referral to the Residential Program? Contact the Residential Program Director at (330) 374-4863 regarding a potential referral. The Director will gather your referral needs and determine if a potential match is available in one of the homes.
What can I expect at my first appointment with a behavioral health clinician?
After giving the Receptionist your name, you will meet with the Billing Specialist who will review necessary paperwork needed for billing puposes (you should bring a copy of the insurance card, guardianship, or custody papers, if applicable). It is strongly recommended that you also bring to your appointment copies of psychological or psychiatric evaluations, multi-factoed evaluations, individualized Education Plans, relevant medical reports, and/or My Plans. The guardian or custodial parent must be present at the initial appointment in order to provide consent for treatment.
Next, you will meet with the behavioral health clinician who will conduct an interview and/or administer testing depending on the service requested. The clinician willl ask questions about the individual's presenting problems or reason for evaluation as well as information pertaining to ones educational history, vocational history, and social history.
The first appointment will last one to two hours depending on the service being requested. At the conclusion of the appointment, the clinician will advise you of their recommendations for on-going behavioral health services. If additional services are clinically indicated, additional appointments may be scheduled at the conclusion of your initial appointment. The client or guardian can request a copy of the evaluation be released to them, or to any other party of their choosing, by signing a release of information.
What information is important to provide to the Psychiatrist?
Should my child be walking?
How do I know if my child needs Occupational Therapy (OT)?
There are certain "red flags" that may indicate a child is in need of OT services. If a child of any age experiences visual problems, has hands that remain "fisted" and/or thumbs in towards palms, is using one hand significantly more than the other, or has very high (tight, stiff) or very low (floppy) muscle tone, they should receive an OT evaluation.
A child may also benefit from OT services if by certain ages they are not performing specific skills, which may include but are not limited to:
6 Months Weight bearing on arms when on tummy. Reaching for and grasping objects. Bringing hand to middle of body (chest, mouth). 12 Months Holding two objects and banging together. Transferring object from one hand to another. Using a thumb/index finger "pinch" to pick up small objects 18 Months Drinking from a cup or using utensils to bring food to mouth. Putting objects into containers. 24 Months Putting tiny objects into containers and pouring them out. Turning pages of a book. Using utensils specifically. Taking off shoes, socks,etc. 30 Months Able to do some dressing.
6 Months
12 Months
18 Months
24 Months
30 Months
This is a family driven program based on the goals you want to achieve and the identified needs of your child. Each family receives services based on what they want for their child.
