There are not enough licensed behavior analysts to help children in the US diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To improve access, CentralReach is using technology to simplify, automate, and streamline the many manual tasks related to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) – a key therapy that helps people with autism learn helpful behaviors.
Healthcare IT Today had the opportunity to sit down with Chris Sullens, Chief Executive Officer and Nissa Van Etten, Director of Assessment & Clinical Training at CentralReach to find out more about their solution and about the current state of autism services in the US.
Insufficient Care for Autism
In 2023, the CDC reported that approximately 1 in 36 in the US have been identified with ASD. This means that there are roughly 2M children under the age of 18 who are on the autistic spectrum.
According to experts, early intervention affords the best opportunity to support health development and helps people with ASD throughout their life. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based treatment that is widely accepted as the best way to treat autism spectrum disorders.
With only 57,000 board-certified behavior analysts and just over 33,600 ABA therapists in the US, access to ABA therapy is challenging.
CentralReach recognized this gap and has a built an ABA practice management and data collection platform to help streamline the numerous manual administrative tasks.
Streamlining Workflows Leads to Improved Access
“One of the things we have done here at CentralReach is to streamline the assessment process,” explained Van Etten. “We offer CR assessments which combine ABLLS-R and AFLS assessments. By combining these two, we allow clinicians to do early intervention while at the same time help build towards the skills needed for adulthood.”
Assessments of Basic Language and Learning Skills, Revised (ABBLS-R) allow ABAs to identify deficiencies in language, academic, self-help, and motor skills and then implement individualized interventions. Assessment of Functional Living Skills (AFLS) is a way to evaluate and teach functional self-help skills so those with autism can become more independent.
“With all the data now stored in the database, it can easily be recalled,” said Sullens. “I can quickly see what the assessment looked like at intake, then every six months after. That allows them to quickly see progress over time which can be very insightful. Of course, with all that data, we can also do a lot more analysis and reporting that would not be possible with manual tracking.”
According to Sullens and Van Etten, organizations that have implemented CentralReach have seen a noticeable improvement to their workflow. Staff are spending less time on paperwork and have more time for patients as well as more capacity to take on new patients. In this way, CentralReach is helping to improve access to care for children with ASD.
Watch the interview with Chris Sullens and Nissa Van Etten to learn:
- How CR Assessments work in CentralReach
- What enhancements are on being added over the next 12 months
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This content was originally published here.