Guardian cfds

Guardian cfds


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Guardian cfds


Guardian cfds


Guardian cfds


Guardian cfds


Guardian cfds



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An introduction to contract for differences (cfds)


A contract for difference (CFD) is a contract between a buyer and a seller that stipulates that the buyer must pay the seller the difference between the current value of an asset and its value at contract time. Cfds allow traders and investors an opportunity to profit from price movement without owning the underlying assets. The value of a CFD contract does not consider the asset's underlying value: only the price change between the trade entry and exit.  


This is accomplished through a contract between client and broker and does not utilize any stock, forex, commodity, or futures exchange. Trading cfds offers several major advantages that have increased the instruments' enormous popularity in the past decade.


Key takeaways



  • A contract for differences (CFD) is an agreement between an investor and a CFD broker to exchange the difference in the value of a financial product between the time the contract opens and closes.

  • A CFD investor never actually owns the underlying asset but instead receives revenue based on the price change of that asset.

  • Some advantages of cfds include access to the underlying asset at a lower cost than buying the asset outright, ease of execution, and the ability to go long or short.

  • A disadvantage of cfds is the immediate decrease of the investor's initial position, which is reduced by the size of the spread upon entering the CFD.

  • Other CFD risks include weak industry regulation, potential lack of liquidity, and the need to maintain an adequate margin.


Contract for differences (CFD)


How cfds work


A contract for differences (CFD) is an agreement between an investor and a CFD broker to exchange the difference in the value of a financial product (securities or derivatives) between the time the contract opens and closes.


It is an advanced trading strategy that is utilized by experienced traders only. There is no delivery of physical goods or securities with cfds. A CFD investor never actually owns the underlying asset but instead receives revenue based on the price change of that asset. For example, instead of buying or selling physical gold, a trader can simply speculate on whether the price of gold will go up or down.


Essentially, investors can use cfds to make bets about whether or not the price of the underlying asset or security will rise or fall. Traders can bet on either upward or downward movement. If the trader that has purchased a CFD sees the asset's price increase, they will offer their holding for sale. The net difference between the purchase price and the sale price are netted together. The net difference representing the gain from the trades is settled through the investor's brokerage account.


On the other hand, if the trader believes that the asset's value will decline, an opening sell position can be placed. In order to close the position, the trader must purchase an offsetting trade. Then, the net difference of the loss is cash-settled through their account.


Countries where you can trade cfds


CFD contracts are not allowed in the U.S. They are allowed in listed, over-the-counter (OTC) markets in many major trading countries, including the united kingdom, germany, switzerland, singapore, spain, france, south africa, canada, new zealand, hong kong, sweden, norway, italy, thailand, belgium, denmark, and the netherlands.  


As for australia, where CFD contracts are currently allowed, the australian securities and investment commission (ASIC) has announced some changes in the issue and distribution of cfds to retail clients. ASIC’s goal is to strengthen consumer protections by reducing CFD leverage available to retail clients and by targeting CFD product features and sales practices that amplify retail clients’ CFD losses. ASIC’s product intervention order will be effective on march 29, 2021.  


The U.S. Securities and exchange commission (SEC) has restricted the trading of cfds in the U.S., but non-residents can trade using them.  


Fast fact


CFD trading is surging in 2020; the increase in popularity may be because of covid-19-induced volatility in the markets. A key feature of cfds is that they allow you to trade on markets that are heading downwards, in addition to those that are heading up—allowing them to deliver profit even when the market is in turmoil.  


The costs of cfds


The costs of trading cfds include a commission (in some cases), a financing cost (in certain situations), and the spread—the difference between the bid price (purchase price) and the offer price at the time you trade.


There is usually no commission for trading forex pairs and commodities. However, brokers typically charge a commission for stocks. For example, the broker CMC markets, a U.K.-based financial services company, charges commissions that start from 10%, or $0.02 cents per share for U.S. And canadian-listed shares. The opening and closing trades constitute two separate trades, and therefore you are charged a commission for each trade.


A financing charge may apply if you take a long position; this is because overnight positions for a product are considered an investment (and the provider has lent the trader money to buy the asset). Traders are usually charged an interest charge on each of the days they hold the position.


For example, suppose that a trader wants to buy cfds for the share price of glaxosmithkline. The trader places a £10,000 trade. The current price of glaxosmithkline is £23.50. The trader expects that the share price will increase to £24.80 per share. The bid-offer spread is 23.48-23.50.


The trader will pay a 0.1% commission on opening the position and another 0.1% when the position is closed. For a long position, the trader will be charged a financing charge overnight (normally the LIBOR interest rate plus 2.5%).


The trader buys 426 contracts at £23.48 per share, so their trading position is £10,002.48. Suppose that the share price of glaxosmithkline increases to £24.80 in 16 days. The initial value of the trade is £10,002.48 but the final value is £10,564.80.


The trader's profit (before charges and commission) is: £10,564.80 – £10,002.48 = £562.32.


Since the commission is 0.1%, upon opening the position the trader pays £10. Suppose that interest charges are 7.5%, which must be paid on each of the 16 days that the trader holds the position. (426 x £23.48 x 0.075/365 = £2.06. Since the position is open for 16 days, the total charge is 16 x £2.06 = £32.89.)


When the position is closed, the trader must pay another 0.01% commission fee of £10.


The trader's net profit is equal to profits minus charges: 526.32 (profit) – 10 (commission) – 32.89 (interest) – 10 (commission)= £473.43 (net profit).


Advantages of cfds


Higher leverage


Cfds provide higher leverage than traditional trading.   standard leverage in the CFD market is subject to regulation. It once was as low as a 2% maintenance margin (50:1 leverage), but is now limited in a range of 3% (30:1 leverage) and could go up to 50% (2:1 leverage). Lower margin requirements mean less capital outlay for the trader and greater potential returns. However, increased leverage can also magnify a trader's losses.  


Global market access from one platform


Many CFD brokers offer products in all the world's major markets, allowing around-the-clock access. Investors can trade cfds on a wide range of worldwide markets.


No shorting rules or borrowing stock


Certain markets have rules that prohibit shorting, require the trader to borrow the instrument before selling short, or have different margin requirements for short and long positions. CFD instruments can be shorted at any time without borrowing costs because the trader doesn't own the underlying asset.


Professional execution with no fees


CFD brokers offer many of the same order types as traditional brokers including stops, limits, and contingent orders, such as "one cancels the other" and "if done." some brokers offering guaranteed stops will charge a fee for the service or recoup costs in another way.


Brokers make money when the trader pays the spread. Occasionally, they charge commissions or fees. To buy, a trader must pay the ask price, and to sell/short, the trader must pay the bid price. This spread may be small or large depending on the volatility of the underlying asset; fixed spreads are often available.


No day trading requirements


Certain markets require minimum amounts of capital to day trade or place limits on the number of day trades that can be made within certain accounts. The CFD market is not bound by these restrictions, and all account holders can day trade if they wish. Accounts can often be opened for as little as $1,000, although $2,000 and $5,000 are common minimum deposit requirements.


Variety of trading opportunities


Brokers currently offer stock, index, treasury, currency, sector, and commodity cfds. This enables speculators interested in diverse financial vehicles to trade cfds as an alternative to exchanges.


Disadvantages of cfds


Traders pay the spread


While cfds offer an attractive alternative to traditional markets, they also present potential pitfalls. For one, having to pay the spread on entries and exits eliminates the potential to profit from small moves. The spread also decreases winning trades by a small amount compared to the underlying security and will increase losses by a small amount. So, while traditional markets expose the trader to fees, regulations, commissions, and higher capital requirements, cfds trim traders' profits through spread costs.


Weak industry regulation


The CFD industry is not highly regulated. A CFD broker's credibility is based on reputation, longevity, and financial position rather than government standing or liquidity. There are excellent CFD brokers, but it's important to investigate a broker's background before opening an account.


Risks


CFD trading is fast-moving and requires close monitoring. As a result, traders should be aware of the significant risks when trading cfds. There are liquidity risks and margins you need to maintain; if you cannot cover reductions in values, your provider may close your position, and you'll have to meet the loss no matter what subsequently happens to the underlying asset.  


Leverage risks expose you to greater potential profits but also greater potential losses. While stop-loss limits are available from many CFD providers, they can't guarantee you won't suffer losses, especially if there's a market closure or a sharp price movement. Execution risks also may occur due to lags in trades.


Because the industry is not regulated and there are significant risks involved, cfds are banned in the U.S. By the securities and exchange commission (SEC).


Example of a CFD trade


Suppose that a stock has an ask price of $25.26 and the trader buys 100 shares. The cost of the transaction is $2,526 (plus any commission and fees). This trade requires at least $1,263 in free cash at a traditional broker in a 50% margin account, while a CFD broker requires just a 5% margin, or $126.30.


A CFD trade will show a loss equal to the size of the spread at the time of the transaction. If the spread is $0.05 cents, the stock needs to gain $0.05 cents for the position to hit the break-even price. While you'll see a $0.05 gain if you owned the stock outright, you would have also paid a commission and incurred a larger capital outlay.


If the stock rallies to a bid price of $25.76 in a traditional broker account, it can be sold for a $50 gain or $50 / $1,263 = 3.95% profit. However, when the national exchange reaches this price, the CFD bid price may only be $25.74. The CFD profit will be lower because the trader must exit at the bid price and the spread is larger than on the regular market.


In this example, the CFD trader earns an estimated $48 or $48 / $126.30 = 38% return on investment. The CFD broker may also require the trader to buy at a higher initial price, $25.28 for example. Even so, the $46 to $48 earned on the CFD trade denotes a net profit, while the $50 profit from owning the stock outright doesn't include commissions or other fees. Thus, the CFD trader ends up with more money in their pocket.


Cfds faqs


What are cfds?


Contracts for differences (cfds) are contracts between investors and financial institutions in which investors take a position on the future value of an asset. The difference between the open and closing trade prices are cash-settled. There is no physical delivery of goods or securities; a client and the broker exchange the difference in the initial price of the trade and its value when the trade is unwound or reversed.


How do cfds work?


A contract for difference (CFD) allows traders to speculate on the future market movements of an underlying asset, without actually owning or taking physical delivery of the underlying asset. Cfds are available for a range of underlying assets, such as shares, commodities, and foreign exchange. A CFD involves two trades. The first trade creates the open position, which is later closed out through a reverse trade with the CFD provider at a different price.


If the first trade is a buy or long position, the second trade (which closes the open position) is a sell. If the opening trade was a sell or short position, the closing trade is a buy.


The net profit of the trader is the price difference between the opening trade and the closing-out trade (less any commission or interest).


Why are cfds illegal in the U.S.?


Part of the reason that cfds are illegal in the U.S. Is that they are an over-the-counter (OTC) product, which means that they don't pass through regulated exchanges. Using leverage also allows for the possibility of larger losses and is a concern for regulators.


The commodity futures trading commission (CFTC) and the securities and exchange commission (SEC) prohibit residents and citizens of the U.S. From opening CFD accounts on domestic or foreign platforms.


Is trading cfds safe?


Trading cfds can be risky, and the potential advantages of them can sometimes overshadow the associated counterparty risk, market risk, client money risk, and liquidity risk. CFD trading can also be considered risky as a result of other factors, including poor industry regulation, potential lack of liquidity, and the need to maintain an adequate margin due to leveraged losses.


Can you make money with cfds?


Yes, of course, it is possible to make money trading cfds. However, trading cfds is a risky strategy relative to other forms of trading. Most successful CFD traders are veteran traders with a wealth of experience and tactical acumen.


The bottom line


Advantages to CFD trading include lower margin requirements, easy access to global markets, no shorting or day trading rules, and little or no fees. However, high leverage magnifies losses when they occur, and having to pay a spread to enter and exit positions can be costly when large price movements do not occur. Indeed, the european securities and markets authority (ESMA) has placed restrictions on cfds to protect retail investors.  



Guardian circle


In appreciation of those donors who have planned for the future of the center for disability services by making a planned gift, we invite you to become members of our guardian circle. Membership includes acknowledgement in our annual report and on our website. Members will be invited to an annual recognition event and will receive a special lapel pin recognizing them as a guardian circle member which can be worn at all center events. Most important, members will have the satisfaction of knowing they have made a meaningful difference, in a very special way, for the long term well-being of the center.


If you have already planned for the future of the center for disability services but have not shared this information with staff at the center, we would ask that you fill in the membership form and return it to us. We look forward to the opportunity to recognize you as a member of our guardian circle.


The center for disability services officially launched their planned giving program in january of 2014. The guardian circle members listed below are donors that became part of our planned giving program since that time.


Eleanor M. Alland
anonymous (3)
margo and michael* bagneschi
joseph and robin barbera, sr.
Kathy bee
laureen and michael* calautti
the choi family
robert clore
colleen and christopher corbett
erna D'amore
dale and martha delano
ethel duchna
donna lamkin faddegon
gerald falconio
michael and jane falvey
ward and shirley fellows
richard fortin
milton and catherine hall
philomena and bernard* heroux
kim L. Heunemann
karen and michael J. Hoblock, jr.
Colleen kerr
judith M. And jeffrey M. Killeen
mary and alan krafchin
carol and dan miller
james J. Morris, IV and deborah J. Morris
suzanne and william palmer
karen pass
stanley and tina segal
rose and eugene* smith
gregory and sherry sorrentino
leslie and shirlie spence
edward trombly
kenneth tubbs
joseph and lorraine tumolo
rich and patty vassi
howard wildove*
harold and pamela williams
john and christa williams


Contact us


Our legacy giving team would be happy to speak with you in confidence, with no obligation.



Child and family developmental services


COVID-19 information


Southcentral foundation’s leadership understands these are difficult times and continues to closely monitor this dynamic, rapidly evolving situation.


Part of SCF’s emergency management plan and pandemic response includes different levels of operations and staffing based on many factors, including paying attention to guidance from health authorities and local officials.



  • Services will be offered via limited telehealth for established customer-owners on a case-by-case basis.



Child and family developmental services is composed of an interdisciplinary team which will include developmental-behavior pediatric providers, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, board certified behavior analysists, and behavior health providers. This team seeks to collaborate in providing a wide range of supportive care to children and families with developmental and behavioral needs.


CFDS features a state-of-the-art clinic with two large sensory/motor gyms and multiple smaller individualized treatment spaces to meet a variety of customer-owner needs. CFDS is equipped with telemedicine capability to provide telehealth services to customer-owners in rural communities.


Child and family developmental services will provide pediatric services related to:



  • Prenatal substance exposure

  • Premature birth

  • Autism

  • Developmental delay

  • Motor disabilities

  • Occupational therapy

  • Physical therapy

  • Speech language pathology

  • Behavioral health

  • Applied behavior analysis

  • Family learning circles



Frequently asked questions about our services


Interdisciplinary assessment team


An interdisciplinary assessment team (IDAT) is a team of providers made up of:



  • Specialized pediatrician or nurse practitioner

  • Speech and language therapist

  • Occupational therapist

  • Physical therapist

  • Behavioral health consultant



These providers meet to review a child’s records, plan diagnostic tests, and facilitate wellness feedback sessions with the child’s family. The actual composition of an IDAT depends on the complexity of the customer-owner’s condition, age, and other known developmental factors. A customer-owner’s IDAT clinic experience is organized and managed by a clinic coordinator and a team of community case managers.


An IDAT performs a wellness assessment on children who exhibit complex neurodevelopmental symptoms and do not yet have a formal diagnosis, and there are other known factors contributing to concern.


An IDAT can help bring understanding to the child’s potentially complicated developmental concerns. It is an opportunity to meet and ask questions of a variety of specialized providers. The IDAT prepares a brief summary of the wellness assessment that can be shared with the child’s school, community therapists, and primary care providers. The IDAT will also make as-needed wellness plan recommendations for medical concerns, genetic testing, specific therapies, counseling, medication management, additional testing, and offer help with accessing other community resources. Children with established diagnoses and wellness plans are not assessed by an IDAT and may be recommended to continue with established wellness plans, or to meet with other specialized providers to receive additional care.


Pediatric speech therapy treats communication and swallowing disorders. Treatments include interventions in the areas of:



  • Articulation

  • Cognition

  • Expressive language

  • Feeding and swallowing

  • Fluency

  • Reading

  • Receptive language

  • Social language

  • Voice



Who does speech therapy help?


Although speech therapy can be utilized at all levels, the child and family developmental services (CFDS) clinic serves customer-owners from birth to 18 years old.


How can speech therapy help?


A speech therapist can help:



  • Assist in the creation of communications systems for children who can’t use their voice

  • Help develop motor skills to safely swallow age-appropriate foods

  • Help increase their vocabulary and storytelling skills

  • Teach a child to produce speech sounds



Speech therapy activities can include playtime activities, muscle exercises, and structured learning tasks.


How many speech therapy appointments are needed?


The number of appointments is dependent on the individual’s need. Most children will receive therapy up to twice a week, but some can receive up to five appointments a week depending on their diagnosis, their wellness goals, and where they live. Therapy can be administered in-person or via telemedicine. The provider will create a wellness plan tailored to the child, which will dictate the frequency of appointments.


How long is an individual in treatment?


The length of treatment will depend on the child’s learning abilities and the needs identified in their wellness plan. The plan of care created by the speech therapist will address duration of services, which can last anywhere between three months to a year. Regular attendance and home practice will usually help a child progress and may shorten the duration of their wellness plan.


What if I don’t live in anchorage?


There are two options for families residing outside of anchorage, and your provider will provide an appropriate recommendation.



  • Telemedicine – the customer-owner and guardian will attend visits at your local health clinic, and your provider will connect with you over teleconference.

  • Intensive therapy – the customer-owner and guardian will travel to anchorage for four consecutive days each month to receive therapy services.



How are school district speech therapy services any different from these services?


We encourage all families to access speech therapy services through their school district when the child qualifies. CFDS may provide therapy services supplementary to therapy they are already receiving at school.


How can we get the most out of speech therapy?


Family support is critical to a successful wellness plan. Your provider will provide activities and strategies to practice at home that will help the child practice skills and learned in therapy. Guardians are encouraged to attend each session with the child to learn tactics for use at home that reinforces the child’s wellness plan. Encourage your child to keep working, even when it gets frustrating.


The birth-to-three clinic at SCF’s child and family developmental services is a special clinic for infants and toddlers who are at risk for developmental delays or a disability.



  • Being identified as at-risk during routine well-child check-ups

  • Complications at delivery

  • Having undergone complicated surgical procedures

  • History of serious infections or injuries

  • Premature birth

  • Prenatal exposure to drugs and alcohol



The birth-to-three provider team includes a developmental pediatrician and developmental pediatric nurse practitioners. Occasionally, a speech therapist, an occupational therapist, a physical therapist, and a behavioral health consultant may join depending on the needs of the child. The clinic is coordinated by a registered nurse case manager.


What does the birth-to-three clinic do?


Providers in this clinic will conduct medical and developmental history interviews, and perform physical examinations and any additional tests. When appropriate, developmental diagnoses may be made. Families will receive feedback and receive recommendations on their wellness plan to share with their primary care provider. When appropriate, some children will be offered a series of visits spaced four to six months apart until age three, for subsequent developmental testing and monitoring.


How can the birth-to-three clinic help?


The birth-to-three clinic is an opportunity for families to meet and ask questions of providers in a friendly and relaxed environment. The provider will provide updates on the child’s progress, explain any diagnoses that they may have, and make necessary recommendations for ongoing treatment and counseling.


Pediatric physical therapy


Physical therapy (PT) helps enhance or enable the mobility of the customer-owner. This includes mobility function in school, at home, or while participating in sports.


Although PT can be utilized at all levels, the child and family developmental services clinic serves customer-owners from birth to 18 years old.


The skills PT can help with are varied. Sometimes PT is used for individuals who may have a developmental issue related to movement. In this case, PT can help teach skills such as walking, climbing stairs, eye-hand coordination, and general mobility.


PT is also used to help after an injury. This type of PT helps the muscles heal and regain the level of activity that the individual enjoyed before the injury.


How many PT appointments are needed?


The number of appointments is dependent on the customer-owner’s need. Most people have PT appointments twice a week, but there could be up to five appointments per week depending on the diagnosis, the goal of the individual, and where they live. PT appointments can only be scheduled one week in advance.


How long is the treatment plan?


The goal of PT is to enhance the mobility to the customer-owner’s desired level. It takes eight weeks for a change in muscle strength, so treatment plans are generally made for six months. If the customer-owner would like to increase weekly appointments, that time may be reduced. An at-home wellness plan is also created; utilizing this plan will affect how long the overall wellness plan lasts. Repetition is key, so the more reinforcement the customer-owner provides between appointments can greatly affect how many they have.


What if I don’t live in anchorage?


For those who come in from rural locations, the customer-owner and guardian travel to anchorage for one week for daily appointments. From there, the at-home wellness plan will be developed, and each movement will be demonstrated. Check-ups will be scheduled at the interval that works best for the wellness plan.


How are school district physical therapists different?


Some school districts employ physical therapists, but in some schools, PT may not be available. If PT is available at your school, it is best to view those sessions as supplementary, rather than substitutions for the PT work done in the clinic.


How can we get the most out of PT?


Family support is critical to successful PT. The provider will provide activities and strategies for at-home use to practice that will help the child generalize skills and enhance therapy received in clinic. To get the best results, practice the techniques taught in PT at home to help reinforce learning. Encourage your child to keep working, even when it gets frustrating.


A neurodevelopmental issue is a term used when a child experiences a delay in usual neurodevelopmental milestone. This can include:



  • Comprehension

  • Mental focus

  • Nervous system development

  • Skills involved in speaking

  • Walking



Depending on the symptoms your child is displaying, the wellness plan will be different. It could mean the child will have physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech and language therapy, as part of their established wellness plan.


A primary care provider can refer a child to the child and family developmental services clinic for neurodevelopmental evaluation. A community case manager will reach out to the family and ask you to complete some paperwork that will help the team learn more about the child and family. From there, the child will be scheduled for a two-day diagnostic appointment. Although this may seem like a lot, it is critical to properly diagnose and recommend treatments. A variety of tests will be administered on one day, as well as any blood work or physical examinations. The next day will be a clinic day, where you and the team of providers will determine what options you have for the personalized wellness plan. After the wellness plan is completed, the primary care team will begin working on the referral needed to start working with the customer-owner.


There is a special family interdisciplinary assessment team that is designed for this situation, which includes:



  • A behavioral health consultant

  • Developmental specialists

  • An occupational therapist

  • A parent navigation supporter

  • A pediatrician

  • A pediatric neurodevelopment specialist

  • A speech language pathologist



This team is specially trained to help in these diagnostic processes and are there to help you choose the best plan for your family.


How long does this process take?


You should receive a call within two business days of the primary care provider referral. The next step is completing all paperwork that is sent by the primary care team. After all the paper is received at the clinic, a diagnostic day is scheduled.


Why do I need to do all of this?


If your child potentially has a neurodevelopmental concerns, receiving a diagnosis can open the door to a variety of other services, including:



  • Community support programs

  • Potential financial support programs

  • School support through 504 reports and individualized education plans

  • Specialized support care



Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder


Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. Each child will exhibit symptoms differently, depending on how it affects them.


There is the potential for delays in motor skills, learning, memory, language skills, emotional development, and more. It is important to determine if it is FASD or if it is another condition augmenting these symptoms. If it is FASD, the level of severity must also be determined.


A primary care provider can refer a child to the child and family developmental services clinic for FASD. A community case manager will reach out to the family ask you to complete paperwork that will help the team learn a little more about the child and family. From there, the child will be scheduled for a two-day diagnostic appointment. Although this may seem like a lot, it is critical to properly diagnose and recommend a wellness plan to help your child. A variety of tests will be administered on one day, as well as any blood work or physical examinations. The next day will be a clinic day, where you and the team of providers will determine what options you have for your child’s personalized wellness plan. After the wellness plan is completed, the primary care team will begin working on the referral needed to start treatment.


You should receive a call within two business days of the primary care provider referral. The next step is completing all paperwork that is sent by the primary care team. After all the paper is received at the clinic, a diagnostic day is scheduled.


Why do I need to do all of this?


If your child potentially has an FASD condition, receiving a diagnosis can open the door to a variety of other services, including:



  • Community support programs

  • Potential financial support programs

  • School support through 504 reports and individualized education plans

  • Specialized support care



There is a special family interdisciplinary assessment team that is designed for this situation, which includes:



  • A behavioral health consultant

  • Developmental specialists

  • An occupational therapist

  • A parent navigation supporter

  • A pediatrician

  • A pediatric neurodevelopment specialist

  • A speech language pathologist



Autism spectrum disorder covers a wide range of differences in the standard development timeline for children. It can affect social skills, communication, movement, language, and learning abilities.


Wellness plan options will differ, depending on the symptoms that the child may display. Autism is a spectral disorder, meaning not only will the symptoms be different for every person, but the severity will also be different. Some children that have autism may need very little help, while others may experience symptoms that may warrant more treatment and assistance. A proper diagnosis is critical to ensuring your child is best prepared for their future.


A primary care provider can refer a child to the child and family developmental services clinic for autism. A community case manager will reach out to the family and there will be some paperwork that will help the team learn a little more about the child and family. From there, the child will be scheduled for a two-day diagnostic appointment. Although this may seem like a lot, it is critical to properly diagnose and recommend the treatments to help your child. A variety of tests will be administered on one day, as well as any blood work or physical examinations. The next day will be a clinic day, where you and the team of providers will determine what options you have for the personalized wellness plan. After the wellness plan is completed, the primary care team will begin working on the referral needed to start treatment.


You should receive a call within two business days of the primary care provider referral. The next step is completing all paperwork that is sent by the primary care team. After all the paper is received at the clinic, a diagnostic day is scheduled.


Why do I need to do all of this?


If your child is potentially on the autism spectrum, receiving a diagnosis can open the door to a variety of other services, including:



  • Community support programs

  • Potential financial support programs

  • School support through 504 reports and individualized education plans

  • Specialized support care



There is a special family interdisciplinary assessment team that is designed for this situation, which includes:



  • A behavioral health consultant

  • Developmental specialists

  • An occupational therapist

  • A parent navigation supporter

  • A pediatrician

  • A pediatric neurodevelopment specialist

  • A speech language pathologist



Applied behavioral analysis


What is applied behavior analysis?


Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the application of the science of behaviorism to address challenges in everyday life. It uses what we know about learning to teach your child to navigate the world around them successfully. It is often used to address symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. It may help with increasing independence and communication, as well as reducing challenging behaviors.


Your child’s ABA services will be supervised by a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA). The BCBA will assess your child’s needs and work with you to come up with a plan. Once everyone has agreed on the plan, services will be delivered by a registered behavior technician (RBT) under the BCBA’s supervision, or the BCBA depending on the needs of the child.


To change a behavior, either to see more or less of it, the BCBA will look at what the payoff for the behavior is because we know that people repeat behaviors that have worked to achieve a desired result in the past. Once we know what the payoff, or function of the behavior is, the BCBA will come up with suggestions for other ways the child can meet the same need. For example, a child who hits his brother to get a toy could be taught to ask for it instead. The behavior therapist will use rewards or reinforcers that work for the child to encourage the child to behave appropriately. They will also work to make sure that the behaviors that we do not want them to do are rewarded less, or not at all if possible. Data will be collected to make sure the interventions are working.


How will ABA help my child?


ABA is an evidence-based treatment for people with autism spectrum disorder. During their sessions your child will work on learning the skills that they need to increase their independence. These skills can include activities of daily living, such as hand washing or toilet use, as well as communication, self-calming, and the skills needed to learn from instruction such as paying attention, following directions, and staying safe at home and school. ABA focuses on behaviors that you can see, or observable behavior.


The ultimate goal is to teach the child the skills that they need to become as independent and capable as possible. Together with your child’s behavior analytic team, you can help your child learn to navigate the world around them.


The first few sessions may look like the therapist is simply playing with your child. This is an important part of the process called pairing. Pairing is building a relationship with the child. The therapist wants the child to know that good things come from the therapist and other adults.



  • Functional communication training



Children with ASD often struggle to make their needs known to those around them. These children may learn to get their needs met by behaving in ways that are not safe. Functional communication training breaks communication down and teaches them how to meet their needs more easily through communication.


ABA uses proven teaching techniques, including positive reinforcement and visual aids, to teach skills. Larger tasks are broken down into steps, individual steps are taught in order, building one upon the next until the whole skill has been mastered. These techniques can be applied to almost any skill.


Skills like taking turns, playing with others, and responding to social situations can be part of your child’s ABA program.


How often will my child receive services?


Depending on the needs of the individual, the child’s team will determine how many hours of services per week they will receive. Typically, children receive between 10-20 hours per week, but this will vary by individual. Initially services will be offered in the clinic, but we hope to offer home-based services soon. Talk to your child’s BCBA about determining the best fit for your family.



Child and family developmental services


COVID-19 information


Southcentral foundation’s leadership understands these are difficult times and continues to closely monitor this dynamic, rapidly evolving situation.


Part of SCF’s emergency management plan and pandemic response includes different levels of operations and staffing based on many factors, including paying attention to guidance from health authorities and local officials.



  • Services will be offered via limited telehealth for established customer-owners on a case-by-case basis.



Child and family developmental services is composed of an interdisciplinary team which will include developmental-behavior pediatric providers, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, board certified behavior analysists, and behavior health providers. This team seeks to collaborate in providing a wide range of supportive care to children and families with developmental and behavioral needs.


CFDS features a state-of-the-art clinic with two large sensory/motor gyms and multiple smaller individualized treatment spaces to meet a variety of customer-owner needs. CFDS is equipped with telemedicine capability to provide telehealth services to customer-owners in rural communities.


Child and family developmental services will provide pediatric services related to:



  • Prenatal substance exposure

  • Premature birth

  • Autism

  • Developmental delay

  • Motor disabilities

  • Occupational therapy

  • Physical therapy

  • Speech language pathology

  • Behavioral health

  • Applied behavior analysis

  • Family learning circles



Frequently asked questions about our services


Interdisciplinary assessment team


An interdisciplinary assessment team (IDAT) is a team of providers made up of:



  • Specialized pediatrician or nurse practitioner

  • Speech and language therapist

  • Occupational therapist

  • Physical therapist

  • Behavioral health consultant



These providers meet to review a child’s records, plan diagnostic tests, and facilitate wellness feedback sessions with the child’s family. The actual composition of an IDAT depends on the complexity of the customer-owner’s condition, age, and other known developmental factors. A customer-owner’s IDAT clinic experience is organized and managed by a clinic coordinator and a team of community case managers.


An IDAT performs a wellness assessment on children who exhibit complex neurodevelopmental symptoms and do not yet have a formal diagnosis, and there are other known factors contributing to concern.


An IDAT can help bring understanding to the child’s potentially complicated developmental concerns. It is an opportunity to meet and ask questions of a variety of specialized providers. The IDAT prepares a brief summary of the wellness assessment that can be shared with the child’s school, community therapists, and primary care providers. The IDAT will also make as-needed wellness plan recommendations for medical concerns, genetic testing, specific therapies, counseling, medication management, additional testing, and offer help with accessing other community resources. Children with established diagnoses and wellness plans are not assessed by an IDAT and may be recommended to continue with established wellness plans, or to meet with other specialized providers to receive additional care.


Pediatric speech therapy treats communication and swallowing disorders. Treatments include interventions in the areas of:



  • Articulation

  • Cognition

  • Expressive language

  • Feeding and swallowing

  • Fluency

  • Reading

  • Receptive language

  • Social language

  • Voice



Who does speech therapy help?


Although speech therapy can be utilized at all levels, the child and family developmental services (CFDS) clinic serves customer-owners from birth to 18 years old.


How can speech therapy help?


A speech therapist can help:



  • Assist in the creation of communications systems for children who can’t use their voice

  • Help develop motor skills to safely swallow age-appropriate foods

  • Help increase their vocabulary and storytelling skills

  • Teach a child to produce speech sounds



Speech therapy activities can include playtime activities, muscle exercises, and structured learning tasks.


How many speech therapy appointments are needed?


The number of appointments is dependent on the individual’s need. Most children will receive therapy up to twice a week, but some can receive up to five appointments a week depending on their diagnosis, their wellness goals, and where they live. Therapy can be administered in-person or via telemedicine. The provider will create a wellness plan tailored to the child, which will dictate the frequency of appointments.


How long is an individual in treatment?


The length of treatment will depend on the child’s learning abilities and the needs identified in their wellness plan. The plan of care created by the speech therapist will address duration of services, which can last anywhere between three months to a year. Regular attendance and home practice will usually help a child progress and may shorten the duration of their wellness plan.


What if I don’t live in anchorage?


There are two options for families residing outside of anchorage, and your provider will provide an appropriate recommendation.



  • Telemedicine – the customer-owner and guardian will attend visits at your local health clinic, and your provider will connect with you over teleconference.

  • Intensive therapy – the customer-owner and guardian will travel to anchorage for four consecutive days each month to receive therapy services.



How are school district speech therapy services any different from these services?


We encourage all families to access speech therapy services through their school district when the child qualifies. CFDS may provide therapy services supplementary to therapy they are already receiving at school.


How can we get the most out of speech therapy?


Family support is critical to a successful wellness plan. Your provider will provide activities and strategies to practice at home that will help the child practice skills and learned in therapy. Guardians are encouraged to attend each session with the child to learn tactics for use at home that reinforces the child’s wellness plan. Encourage your child to keep working, even when it gets frustrating.


The birth-to-three clinic at SCF’s child and family developmental services is a special clinic for infants and toddlers who are at risk for developmental delays or a disability.



  • Being identified as at-risk during routine well-child check-ups

  • Complications at delivery

  • Having undergone complicated surgical procedures

  • History of serious infections or injuries

  • Premature birth

  • Prenatal exposure to drugs and alcohol



The birth-to-three provider team includes a developmental pediatrician and developmental pediatric nurse practitioners. Occasionally, a speech therapist, an occupational therapist, a physical therapist, and a behavioral health consultant may join depending on the needs of the child. The clinic is coordinated by a registered nurse case manager.


What does the birth-to-three clinic do?


Providers in this clinic will conduct medical and developmental history interviews, and perform physical examinations and any additional tests. When appropriate, developmental diagnoses may be made. Families will receive feedback and receive recommendations on their wellness plan to share with their primary care provider. When appropriate, some children will be offered a series of visits spaced four to six months apart until age three, for subsequent developmental testing and monitoring.


How can the birth-to-three clinic help?


The birth-to-three clinic is an opportunity for families to meet and ask questions of providers in a friendly and relaxed environment. The provider will provide updates on the child’s progress, explain any diagnoses that they may have, and make necessary recommendations for ongoing treatment and counseling.


Pediatric physical therapy


Physical therapy (PT) helps enhance or enable the mobility of the customer-owner. This includes mobility function in school, at home, or while participating in sports.


Although PT can be utilized at all levels, the child and family developmental services clinic serves customer-owners from birth to 18 years old.


The skills PT can help with are varied. Sometimes PT is used for individuals who may have a developmental issue related to movement. In this case, PT can help teach skills such as walking, climbing stairs, eye-hand coordination, and general mobility.


PT is also used to help after an injury. This type of PT helps the muscles heal and regain the level of activity that the individual enjoyed before the injury.


How many PT appointments are needed?


The number of appointments is dependent on the customer-owner’s need. Most people have PT appointments twice a week, but there could be up to five appointments per week depending on the diagnosis, the goal of the individual, and where they live. PT appointments can only be scheduled one week in advance.


How long is the treatment plan?


The goal of PT is to enhance the mobility to the customer-owner’s desired level. It takes eight weeks for a change in muscle strength, so treatment plans are generally made for six months. If the customer-owner would like to increase weekly appointments, that time may be reduced. An at-home wellness plan is also created; utilizing this plan will affect how long the overall wellness plan lasts. Repetition is key, so the more reinforcement the customer-owner provides between appointments can greatly affect how many they have.


What if I don’t live in anchorage?


For those who come in from rural locations, the customer-owner and guardian travel to anchorage for one week for daily appointments. From there, the at-home wellness plan will be developed, and each movement will be demonstrated. Check-ups will be scheduled at the interval that works best for the wellness plan.


How are school district physical therapists different?


Some school districts employ physical therapists, but in some schools, PT may not be available. If PT is available at your school, it is best to view those sessions as supplementary, rather than substitutions for the PT work done in the clinic.


How can we get the most out of PT?


Family support is critical to successful PT. The provider will provide activities and strategies for at-home use to practice that will help the child generalize skills and enhance therapy received in clinic. To get the best results, practice the techniques taught in PT at home to help reinforce learning. Encourage your child to keep working, even when it gets frustrating.


A neurodevelopmental issue is a term used when a child experiences a delay in usual neurodevelopmental milestone. This can include:



  • Comprehension

  • Mental focus

  • Nervous system development

  • Skills involved in speaking

  • Walking



Depending on the symptoms your child is displaying, the wellness plan will be different. It could mean the child will have physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech and language therapy, as part of their established wellness plan.


A primary care provider can refer a child to the child and family developmental services clinic for neurodevelopmental evaluation. A community case manager will reach out to the family and ask you to complete some paperwork that will help the team learn more about the child and family. From there, the child will be scheduled for a two-day diagnostic appointment. Although this may seem like a lot, it is critical to properly diagnose and recommend treatments. A variety of tests will be administered on one day, as well as any blood work or physical examinations. The next day will be a clinic day, where you and the team of providers will determine what options you have for the personalized wellness plan. After the wellness plan is completed, the primary care team will begin working on the referral needed to start working with the customer-owner.


There is a special family interdisciplinary assessment team that is designed for this situation, which includes:



  • A behavioral health consultant

  • Developmental specialists

  • An occupational therapist

  • A parent navigation supporter

  • A pediatrician

  • A pediatric neurodevelopment specialist

  • A speech language pathologist



This team is specially trained to help in these diagnostic processes and are there to help you choose the best plan for your family.


How long does this process take?


You should receive a call within two business days of the primary care provider referral. The next step is completing all paperwork that is sent by the primary care team. After all the paper is received at the clinic, a diagnostic day is scheduled.


Why do I need to do all of this?


If your child potentially has a neurodevelopmental concerns, receiving a diagnosis can open the door to a variety of other services, including:



  • Community support programs

  • Potential financial support programs

  • School support through 504 reports and individualized education plans

  • Specialized support care



Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder


Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. Each child will exhibit symptoms differently, depending on how it affects them.


There is the potential for delays in motor skills, learning, memory, language skills, emotional development, and more. It is important to determine if it is FASD or if it is another condition augmenting these symptoms. If it is FASD, the level of severity must also be determined.


A primary care provider can refer a child to the child and family developmental services clinic for FASD. A community case manager will reach out to the family ask you to complete paperwork that will help the team learn a little more about the child and family. From there, the child will be scheduled for a two-day diagnostic appointment. Although this may seem like a lot, it is critical to properly diagnose and recommend a wellness plan to help your child. A variety of tests will be administered on one day, as well as any blood work or physical examinations. The next day will be a clinic day, where you and the team of providers will determine what options you have for your child’s personalized wellness plan. After the wellness plan is completed, the primary care team will begin working on the referral needed to start treatment.


You should receive a call within two business days of the primary care provider referral. The next step is completing all paperwork that is sent by the primary care team. After all the paper is received at the clinic, a diagnostic day is scheduled.


Why do I need to do all of this?


If your child potentially has an FASD condition, receiving a diagnosis can open the door to a variety of other services, including:



  • Community support programs

  • Potential financial support programs

  • School support through 504 reports and individualized education plans

  • Specialized support care



There is a special family interdisciplinary assessment team that is designed for this situation, which includes:



  • A behavioral health consultant

  • Developmental specialists

  • An occupational therapist

  • A parent navigation supporter

  • A pediatrician

  • A pediatric neurodevelopment specialist

  • A speech language pathologist



Autism spectrum disorder covers a wide range of differences in the standard development timeline for children. It can affect social skills, communication, movement, language, and learning abilities.


Wellness plan options will differ, depending on the symptoms that the child may display. Autism is a spectral disorder, meaning not only will the symptoms be different for every person, but the severity will also be different. Some children that have autism may need very little help, while others may experience symptoms that may warrant more treatment and assistance. A proper diagnosis is critical to ensuring your child is best prepared for their future.


A primary care provider can refer a child to the child and family developmental services clinic for autism. A community case manager will reach out to the family and there will be some paperwork that will help the team learn a little more about the child and family. From there, the child will be scheduled for a two-day diagnostic appointment. Although this may seem like a lot, it is critical to properly diagnose and recommend the treatments to help your child. A variety of tests will be administered on one day, as well as any blood work or physical examinations. The next day will be a clinic day, where you and the team of providers will determine what options you have for the personalized wellness plan. After the wellness plan is completed, the primary care team will begin working on the referral needed to start treatment.


You should receive a call within two business days of the primary care provider referral. The next step is completing all paperwork that is sent by the primary care team. After all the paper is received at the clinic, a diagnostic day is scheduled.


Why do I need to do all of this?


If your child is potentially on the autism spectrum, receiving a diagnosis can open the door to a variety of other services, including:



  • Community support programs

  • Potential financial support programs

  • School support through 504 reports and individualized education plans

  • Specialized support care



There is a special family interdisciplinary assessment team that is designed for this situation, which includes:



  • A behavioral health consultant

  • Developmental specialists

  • An occupational therapist

  • A parent navigation supporter

  • A pediatrician

  • A pediatric neurodevelopment specialist

  • A speech language pathologist



Applied behavioral analysis


What is applied behavior analysis?


Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the application of the science of behaviorism to address challenges in everyday life. It uses what we know about learning to teach your child to navigate the world around them successfully. It is often used to address symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. It may help with increasing independence and communication, as well as reducing challenging behaviors.


Your child’s ABA services will be supervised by a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA). The BCBA will assess your child’s needs and work with you to come up with a plan. Once everyone has agreed on the plan, services will be delivered by a registered behavior technician (RBT) under the BCBA’s supervision, or the BCBA depending on the needs of the child.


To change a behavior, either to see more or less of it, the BCBA will look at what the payoff for the behavior is because we know that people repeat behaviors that have worked to achieve a desired result in the past. Once we know what the payoff, or function of the behavior is, the BCBA will come up with suggestions for other ways the child can meet the same need. For example, a child who hits his brother to get a toy could be taught to ask for it instead. The behavior therapist will use rewards or reinforcers that work for the child to encourage the child to behave appropriately. They will also work to make sure that the behaviors that we do not want them to do are rewarded less, or not at all if possible. Data will be collected to make sure the interventions are working.


How will ABA help my child?


ABA is an evidence-based treatment for people with autism spectrum disorder. During their sessions your child will work on learning the skills that they need to increase their independence. These skills can include activities of daily living, such as hand washing or toilet use, as well as communication, self-calming, and the skills needed to learn from instruction such as paying attention, following directions, and staying safe at home and school. ABA focuses on behaviors that you can see, or observable behavior.


The ultimate goal is to teach the child the skills that they need to become as independent and capable as possible. Together with your child’s behavior analytic team, you can help your child learn to navigate the world around them.


The first few sessions may look like the therapist is simply playing with your child. This is an important part of the process called pairing. Pairing is building a relationship with the child. The therapist wants the child to know that good things come from the therapist and other adults.



  • Functional communication training



Children with ASD often struggle to make their needs known to those around them. These children may learn to get their needs met by behaving in ways that are not safe. Functional communication training breaks communication down and teaches them how to meet their needs more easily through communication.


ABA uses proven teaching techniques, including positive reinforcement and visual aids, to teach skills. Larger tasks are broken down into steps, individual steps are taught in order, building one upon the next until the whole skill has been mastered. These techniques can be applied to almost any skill.


Skills like taking turns, playing with others, and responding to social situations can be part of your child’s ABA program.


How often will my child receive services?


Depending on the needs of the individual, the child’s team will determine how many hours of services per week they will receive. Typically, children receive between 10-20 hours per week, but this will vary by individual. Initially services will be offered in the clinic, but we hope to offer home-based services soon. Talk to your child’s BCBA about determining the best fit for your family.



Child and family developmental services


COVID-19 information


Southcentral foundation’s leadership understands these are difficult times and continues to closely monitor this dynamic, rapidly evolving situation.


Part of SCF’s emergency management plan and pandemic response includes different levels of operations and staffing based on many factors, including paying attention to guidance from health authorities and local officials.



  • Services will be offered via limited telehealth for established customer-owners on a case-by-case basis.



Child and family developmental services is composed of an interdisciplinary team which will include developmental-behavior pediatric providers, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, board certified behavior analysists, and behavior health providers. This team seeks to collaborate in providing a wide range of supportive care to children and families with developmental and behavioral needs.


CFDS features a state-of-the-art clinic with two large sensory/motor gyms and multiple smaller individualized treatment spaces to meet a variety of customer-owner needs. CFDS is equipped with telemedicine capability to provide telehealth services to customer-owners in rural communities.


Child and family developmental services will provide pediatric services related to:



  • Prenatal substance exposure

  • Premature birth

  • Autism

  • Developmental delay

  • Motor disabilities

  • Occupational therapy

  • Physical therapy

  • Speech language pathology

  • Behavioral health

  • Applied behavior analysis

  • Family learning circles



Frequently asked questions about our services


Interdisciplinary assessment team


An interdisciplinary assessment team (IDAT) is a team of providers made up of:



  • Specialized pediatrician or nurse practitioner

  • Speech and language therapist

  • Occupational therapist

  • Physical therapist

  • Behavioral health consultant



These providers meet to review a child’s records, plan diagnostic tests, and facilitate wellness feedback sessions with the child’s family. The actual composition of an IDAT depends on the complexity of the customer-owner’s condition, age, and other known developmental factors. A customer-owner’s IDAT clinic experience is organized and managed by a clinic coordinator and a team of community case managers.


An IDAT performs a wellness assessment on children who exhibit complex neurodevelopmental symptoms and do not yet have a formal diagnosis, and there are other known factors contributing to concern.


An IDAT can help bring understanding to the child’s potentially complicated developmental concerns. It is an opportunity to meet and ask questions of a variety of specialized providers. The IDAT prepares a brief summary of the wellness assessment that can be shared with the child’s school, community therapists, and primary care providers. The IDAT will also make as-needed wellness plan recommendations for medical concerns, genetic testing, specific therapies, counseling, medication management, additional testing, and offer help with accessing other community resources. Children with established diagnoses and wellness plans are not assessed by an IDAT and may be recommended to continue with established wellness plans, or to meet with other specialized providers to receive additional care.


Pediatric speech therapy treats communication and swallowing disorders. Treatments include interventions in the areas of:



  • Articulation

  • Cognition

  • Expressive language

  • Feeding and swallowing

  • Fluency

  • Reading

  • Receptive language

  • Social language

  • Voice



Who does speech therapy help?


Although speech therapy can be utilized at all levels, the child and family developmental services (CFDS) clinic serves customer-owners from birth to 18 years old.


How can speech therapy help?


A speech therapist can help:



  • Assist in the creation of communications systems for children who can’t use their voice

  • Help develop motor skills to safely swallow age-appropriate foods

  • Help increase their vocabulary and storytelling skills

  • Teach a child to produce speech sounds



Speech therapy activities can include playtime activities, muscle exercises, and structured learning tasks.


How many speech therapy appointments are needed?


The number of appointments is dependent on the individual’s need. Most children will receive therapy up to twice a week, but some can receive up to five appointments a week depending on their diagnosis, their wellness goals, and where they live. Therapy can be administered in-person or via telemedicine. The provider will create a wellness plan tailored to the child, which will dictate the frequency of appointments.


How long is an individual in treatment?


The length of treatment will depend on the child’s learning abilities and the needs identified in their wellness plan. The plan of care created by the speech therapist will address duration of services, which can last anywhere between three months to a year. Regular attendance and home practice will usually help a child progress and may shorten the duration of their wellness plan.


What if I don’t live in anchorage?


There are two options for families residing outside of anchorage, and your provider will provide an appropriate recommendation.



  • Telemedicine – the customer-owner and guardian will attend visits at your local health clinic, and your provider will connect with you over teleconference.

  • Intensive therapy – the customer-owner and guardian will travel to anchorage for four consecutive days each month to receive therapy services.



How are school district speech therapy services any different from these services?


We encourage all families to access speech therapy services through their school district when the child qualifies. CFDS may provide therapy services supplementary to therapy they are already receiving at school.


How can we get the most out of speech therapy?


Family support is critical to a successful wellness plan. Your provider will provide activities and strategies to practice at home that will help the child practice skills and learned in therapy. Guardians are encouraged to attend each session with the child to learn tactics for use at home that reinforces the child’s wellness plan. Encourage your child to keep working, even when it gets frustrating.


The birth-to-three clinic at SCF’s child and family developmental services is a special clinic for infants and toddlers who are at risk for developmental delays or a disability.



  • Being identified as at-risk during routine well-child check-ups

  • Complications at delivery

  • Having undergone complicated surgical procedures

  • History of serious infections or injuries

  • Premature birth

  • Prenatal exposure to drugs and alcohol



The birth-to-three provider team includes a developmental pediatrician and developmental pediatric nurse practitioners. Occasionally, a speech therapist, an occupational therapist, a physical therapist, and a behavioral health consultant may join depending on the needs of the child. The clinic is coordinated by a registered nurse case manager.


What does the birth-to-three clinic do?


Providers in this clinic will conduct medical and developmental history interviews, and perform physical examinations and any additional tests. When appropriate, developmental diagnoses may be made. Families will receive feedback and receive recommendations on their wellness plan to share with their primary care provider. When appropriate, some children will be offered a series of visits spaced four to six months apart until age three, for subsequent developmental testing and monitoring.


How can the birth-to-three clinic help?


The birth-to-three clinic is an opportunity for families to meet and ask questions of providers in a friendly and relaxed environment. The provider will provide updates on the child’s progress, explain any diagnoses that they may have, and make necessary recommendations for ongoing treatment and counseling.


Pediatric physical therapy


Physical therapy (PT) helps enhance or enable the mobility of the customer-owner. This includes mobility function in school, at home, or while participating in sports.


Although PT can be utilized at all levels, the child and family developmental services clinic serves customer-owners from birth to 18 years old.


The skills PT can help with are varied. Sometimes PT is used for individuals who may have a developmental issue related to movement. In this case, PT can help teach skills such as walking, climbing stairs, eye-hand coordination, and general mobility.


PT is also used to help after an injury. This type of PT helps the muscles heal and regain the level of activity that the individual enjoyed before the injury.


How many PT appointments are needed?


The number of appointments is dependent on the customer-owner’s need. Most people have PT appointments twice a week, but there could be up to five appointments per week depending on the diagnosis, the goal of the individual, and where they live. PT appointments can only be scheduled one week in advance.


How long is the treatment plan?


The goal of PT is to enhance the mobility to the customer-owner’s desired level. It takes eight weeks for a change in muscle strength, so treatment plans are generally made for six months. If the customer-owner would like to increase weekly appointments, that time may be reduced. An at-home wellness plan is also created; utilizing this plan will affect how long the overall wellness plan lasts. Repetition is key, so the more reinforcement the customer-owner provides between appointments can greatly affect how many they have.


What if I don’t live in anchorage?


For those who come in from rural locations, the customer-owner and guardian travel to anchorage for one week for daily appointments. From there, the at-home wellness plan will be developed, and each movement will be demonstrated. Check-ups will be scheduled at the interval that works best for the wellness plan.


How are school district physical therapists different?


Some school districts employ physical therapists, but in some schools, PT may not be available. If PT is available at your school, it is best to view those sessions as supplementary, rather than substitutions for the PT work done in the clinic.


How can we get the most out of PT?


Family support is critical to successful PT. The provider will provide activities and strategies for at-home use to practice that will help the child generalize skills and enhance therapy received in clinic. To get the best results, practice the techniques taught in PT at home to help reinforce learning. Encourage your child to keep working, even when it gets frustrating.


A neurodevelopmental issue is a term used when a child experiences a delay in usual neurodevelopmental milestone. This can include:



  • Comprehension

  • Mental focus

  • Nervous system development

  • Skills involved in speaking

  • Walking



Depending on the symptoms your child is displaying, the wellness plan will be different. It could mean the child will have physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech and language therapy, as part of their established wellness plan.


A primary care provider can refer a child to the child and family developmental services clinic for neurodevelopmental evaluation. A community case manager will reach out to the family and ask you to complete some paperwork that will help the team learn more about the child and family. From there, the child will be scheduled for a two-day diagnostic appointment. Although this may seem like a lot, it is critical to properly diagnose and recommend treatments. A variety of tests will be administered on one day, as well as any blood work or physical examinations. The next day will be a clinic day, where you and the team of providers will determine what options you have for the personalized wellness plan. After the wellness plan is completed, the primary care team will begin working on the referral needed to start working with the customer-owner.


There is a special family interdisciplinary assessment team that is designed for this situation, which includes:



  • A behavioral health consultant

  • Developmental specialists

  • An occupational therapist

  • A parent navigation supporter

  • A pediatrician

  • A pediatric neurodevelopment specialist

  • A speech language pathologist



This team is specially trained to help in these diagnostic processes and are there to help you choose the best plan for your family.


How long does this process take?


You should receive a call within two business days of the primary care provider referral. The next step is completing all paperwork that is sent by the primary care team. After all the paper is received at the clinic, a diagnostic day is scheduled.


Why do I need to do all of this?


If your child potentially has a neurodevelopmental concerns, receiving a diagnosis can open the door to a variety of other services, including:



  • Community support programs

  • Potential financial support programs

  • School support through 504 reports and individualized education plans

  • Specialized support care



Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder


Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. Each child will exhibit symptoms differently, depending on how it affects them.


There is the potential for delays in motor skills, learning, memory, language skills, emotional development, and more. It is important to determine if it is FASD or if it is another condition augmenting these symptoms. If it is FASD, the level of severity must also be determined.


A primary care provider can refer a child to the child and family developmental services clinic for FASD. A community case manager will reach out to the family ask you to complete paperwork that will help the team learn a little more about the child and family. From there, the child will be scheduled for a two-day diagnostic appointment. Although this may seem like a lot, it is critical to properly diagnose and recommend a wellness plan to help your child. A variety of tests will be administered on one day, as well as any blood work or physical examinations. The next day will be a clinic day, where you and the team of providers will determine what options you have for your child’s personalized wellness plan. After the wellness plan is completed, the primary care team will begin working on the referral needed to start treatment.


You should receive a call within two business days of the primary care provider referral. The next step is completing all paperwork that is sent by the primary care team. After all the paper is received at the clinic, a diagnostic day is scheduled.


Why do I need to do all of this?


If your child potentially has an FASD condition, receiving a diagnosis can open the door to a variety of other services, including:



  • Community support programs

  • Potential financial support programs

  • School support through 504 reports and individualized education plans

  • Specialized support care



There is a special family interdisciplinary assessment team that is designed for this situation, which includes:



  • A behavioral health consultant

  • Developmental specialists

  • An occupational therapist

  • A parent navigation supporter

  • A pediatrician

  • A pediatric neurodevelopment specialist

  • A speech language pathologist



Autism spectrum disorder covers a wide range of differences in the standard development timeline for children. It can affect social skills, communication, movement, language, and learning abilities.


Wellness plan options will differ, depending on the symptoms that the child may display. Autism is a spectral disorder, meaning not only will the symptoms be different for every person, but the severity will also be different. Some children that have autism may need very little help, while others may experience symptoms that may warrant more treatment and assistance. A proper diagnosis is critical to ensuring your child is best prepared for their future.


A primary care provider can refer a child to the child and family developmental services clinic for autism. A community case manager will reach out to the family and there will be some paperwork that will help the team learn a little more about the child and family. From there, the child will be scheduled for a two-day diagnostic appointment. Although this may seem like a lot, it is critical to properly diagnose and recommend the treatments to help your child. A variety of tests will be administered on one day, as well as any blood work or physical examinations. The next day will be a clinic day, where you and the team of providers will determine what options you have for the personalized wellness plan. After the wellness plan is completed, the primary care team will begin working on the referral needed to start treatment.


You should receive a call within two business days of the primary care provider referral. The next step is completing all paperwork that is sent by the primary care team. After all the paper is received at the clinic, a diagnostic day is scheduled.


Why do I need to do all of this?


If your child is potentially on the autism spectrum, receiving a diagnosis can open the door to a variety of other services, including:



  • Community support programs

  • Potential financial support programs

  • School support through 504 reports and individualized education plans

  • Specialized support care



There is a special family interdisciplinary assessment team that is designed for this situation, which includes:



  • A behavioral health consultant

  • Developmental specialists

  • An occupational therapist

  • A parent navigation supporter

  • A pediatrician

  • A pediatric neurodevelopment specialist

  • A speech language pathologist



Applied behavioral analysis


What is applied behavior analysis?


Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the application of the science of behaviorism to address challenges in everyday life. It uses what we know about learning to teach your child to navigate the world around them successfully. It is often used to address symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. It may help with increasing independence and communication, as well as reducing challenging behaviors.


Your child’s ABA services will be supervised by a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA). The BCBA will assess your child’s needs and work with you to come up with a plan. Once everyone has agreed on the plan, services will be delivered by a registered behavior technician (RBT) under the BCBA’s supervision, or the BCBA depending on the needs of the child.


To change a behavior, either to see more or less of it, the BCBA will look at what the payoff for the behavior is because we know that people repeat behaviors that have worked to achieve a desired result in the past. Once we know what the payoff, or function of the behavior is, the BCBA will come up with suggestions for other ways the child can meet the same need. For example, a child who hits his brother to get a toy could be taught to ask for it instead. The behavior therapist will use rewards or reinforcers that work for the child to encourage the child to behave appropriately. They will also work to make sure that the behaviors that we do not want them to do are rewarded less, or not at all if possible. Data will be collected to make sure the interventions are working.


How will ABA help my child?


ABA is an evidence-based treatment for people with autism spectrum disorder. During their sessions your child will work on learning the skills that they need to increase their independence. These skills can include activities of daily living, such as hand washing or toilet use, as well as communication, self-calming, and the skills needed to learn from instruction such as paying attention, following directions, and staying safe at home and school. ABA focuses on behaviors that you can see, or observable behavior.


The ultimate goal is to teach the child the skills that they need to become as independent and capable as possible. Together with your child’s behavior analytic team, you can help your child learn to navigate the world around them.


The first few sessions may look like the therapist is simply playing with your child. This is an important part of the process called pairing. Pairing is building a relationship with the child. The therapist wants the child to know that good things come from the therapist and other adults.



  • Functional communication training



Children with ASD often struggle to make their needs known to those around them. These children may learn to get their needs met by behaving in ways that are not safe. Functional communication training breaks communication down and teaches them how to meet their needs more easily through communication.


ABA uses proven teaching techniques, including positive reinforcement and visual aids, to teach skills. Larger tasks are broken down into steps, individual steps are taught in order, building one upon the next until the whole skill has been mastered. These techniques can be applied to almost any skill.


Skills like taking turns, playing with others, and responding to social situations can be part of your child’s ABA program.


How often will my child receive services?


Depending on the needs of the individual, the child’s team will determine how many hours of services per week they will receive. Typically, children receive between 10-20 hours per week, but this will vary by individual. Initially services will be offered in the clinic, but we hope to offer home-based services soon. Talk to your child’s BCBA about determining the best fit for your family.





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