Frequently Asked Questions

Plans, Appointments and Evaluations

• How do I get the process started at the Boh Center?

  In order to begin the process at the Boh Center, we will ask that you complete the initial intake packet, which can be found here. The completed intake packet can be either faxed to us at 504-842-0772 or emailed to the Center for Child Development at CCDIntake@ochsner.org. You will receive written confirmation that your packet has been received via MyOchsner. Additionally, once the packet has been reviewed by our clinical nurse navigator, you will be contacted by one of our special services coordinators regarding next steps for scheduling your visit. These decisions are based on information you provide in your packet as well as the referral concern provided by your pediatrician or referring provider.

• What are the early steps (birth - 3 years)?

  For all questions related to Early Steps, including a description of services, referral process and insurance questions, we encourage you to visit their website at Early Steps.

• What is the difference between an IEP and 504 plan?

  • An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a formal and legally binding plan. It is developed by a team made up of the student, their parent(s) and school providers who work with that student. The IEP outlines the special education services for a child with an identified disability. It is a comprehensive plan that includes information about the student and their individual needs. The IEP also identifies the related services needed as a result of their disability and accommodations that are necessary for the student to be as successful as possible. The IEP basically outlines the specialized instruction plan the student needs to succeed in an educational setting. There are many safeguards in place for students with IEPs. These safeguards help to ensure that they are receiving an appropriate education in the least restrictive environment possible. An IEP can provide services and supports that a 504 plan cannot, such as specialized instruction. The Louisiana IEP Handbook (Bulletin 1530) outlines the IEP process. A student qualifies for an IEP following a comprehensive and detailed evaluation for special education services. Students only qualify for an IEP if they meet the definition for a disability that is outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). In Louisiana, the process for evaluation for special education is outlined in Bulletin 1508. Bulletin 1508 also outlines the disability categories that require an IEP. Receiving an educational disability classification from a school evaluation is not the same as a formal diagnosis of a disability.

  • A 504 plan is used to help a student with a disability in need of assistance in the general education classroom. The student does not have to qualify for any specific disability in order to get at 504 plan. In fact, a 504 plan can be used on an as needed basis for students with temporary disabilities due to injury or illness. A 504 plan will outline what supports or accommodations the student needs to continue learning in the general education classroom. They are usually not as comprehensive as an IEP and there are things that a 504 plan cannot provide (e.g., specialized instruction). 504 plans are based on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination against people with physical or mental disabilities who need accommodations.

• What is an FBA and BIP?

  • A Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) is a systematic process to determine the cause (or function) of a behavior. The FBA process helps us to understand the situations under which certain behaviors occur or do not occur. The results of an FBA are used to guide the design of an intervention for decreasing inappropriate behavior and/or increasing a more appropriate replacement behavior.
  • In a publicly funded school, an FBA should be conducted and used to develop a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) any time a student’s challenging behavior impedes the student’s learning or that of others. The decision to do an FBA and then develop a BIP is made by the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team. Parents can request an FBA and BIP at any time by requesting an IEP to discuss behavior concerns.
  • A BIP is developed after the FBA is completed. It outlines the supports and procedures for teachers and other school staff to follow in order to prevent the challenging behavior from starting. It also outlines how they should respond to the challenging behavior when it happens. The BIP should use positive behavior interventions. This means the supports used are based on reinforcement and rewards. The reinforces and rewards should match the outcomes of the FBA. This typically makes the intervention more effective.

• How long does the testing take and when will I get the results?

  The testing process time varies due to each child’s individual needs but on average it takes several visits to complete. The results will be available 1-2 weeks after your child’s evaluation has been completed. This allows the psychologist or physician time to review the scores and create a personalized report that will be provided to you during the feedback session.

• How long are the appointments?

  Appointment times are typically 60-90 minutes in length for a visit with the physician. Testing time is typically scheduled in 2-3 hour blocks. Therapy appointments can range from 30-60 minutes in length, depending on your child’s treatment plan.

• What can I expect from it?

  The visit type will vary based on the individual child’s needs. You can expect for a provider to speak with you to get more information regarding your concerns and child’s developmental history. Observation and interaction with the child will also be incorporated into the process. To help you prepare your child for a visit, we have a free social story available to download from our website.

• What does an evaluation consist of?

  An evaluation consists of a discussion with your provider, assessment of your child’s developmental concerns and a feedback session with you to discuss results and recommendations.

• What happens after the evaluation?

  Your provider will provide you with specific recommendations to help guide your child’s next steps. If referrals to additional services are recommended, your provider will make appropriate referrals.

• What if there are no services available? What's next?

  We understand the struggle parents face finding answers to help their child. Our providers will do their best to connect you to the necessary resources. We encourage you to visit the Exceptional Lives to identify resources in your area. Additionally, your local chapter of Families Helping Families is a free community organization that can help you locate services and provide support.

• What is the evaluation/tool used to diagnose autism spectrum disorder?

  Your child’s autism evaluation components will be based on their age and developmental level. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we have created a telehealth assessment process to fully assess your child. A variety of tools are utilized to either diagnose or rule out an autism spectrum disorder and will often include a comprehensive developmental history intake, record review, assessment of developmental skills (either in person or virtually), administration of parent and teacher rating scales and child interview (if appropriate).

• What is the difference between autism spectrum disorder vs global developmental delay?

  Global developmental delay is a term used to describe a delay in developmental in several key areas such as language, motor skills, socialization or intellectual development. An autism spectrum disorder is a specific developmental disorder in which children experience deficits in language and social skills and is characterized by the presence of rigidity and repetitive behaviors. Children with autism may also exhibit a global developmental delay but not all children with a global developmental delay will have an autism spectrum disorder.

• "I can't wait, my child needs help now, what can I do to get them seen sooner or where else can I go?"

  Please visit the Exceptional Lives website for more information about services in Louisiana.

• Is the school assessment the same as the assessment that is done at the Boh Center?

  School assessments are used to qualify a child for an exceptionality or classification within the school system and to best identify accommodations that the child will need to support them for learning in the school environment. A clinical assessment such as the one completed at the Boh Center is for medical purposes and will guide your child’s medical and clinical plan of care. School systems are not required to accept clinical evaluations conducted outside of the school system.

• My insurance only accepts certain providers, will my services be covered if I need a multi-disciplinary clinic?

  Any questions regarding financial liability can be directed towards our team of financial counselors. They will be able to assist you in understanding what aspects of your visit may or may not be covered by your individual insurance plan.

• How long is the wait?

  Wait times will vary based on the individual service that is requested. The demand for some services in our community, such as autism evaluations, are much higher than others. At the Boh Center, we are always working to improve efficiency so that we are minimizing wait time and creating programs to assist families with wellness and connecting to other resources while they are waiting for a visit with our team.

• What are the services that we offer? Can you tell me more about the clinic/services (who am I seeing, what do they do or evaluate for)?

  Please refer to our website for a list and description of services at the Boh Center, as well as the providers who are a part of our clinical team.

• Do we do "re-evaluations" for autism spectrum disorder?

  We do not conduct re-evaluations if your child has already been evaluated at our center. If your child has been evaluated by another clinician outside of Ochsner, a consultation with one of our providers will be conducted to further discuss concerns regarding the previous evaluation. If the provider determines that a reevaluation would be beneficial, authorization from your insurance company will be requested.

• Could you tell me why I need to re-evaluate my child or why the school is asking for it? I am not sure what it means to get a re-evaluation.

  These concerns vary based on the child’s individual needs and will be discussed with your provider during the consultation process.

• Who can go into the appointments?

  The Boh Center follows Ochsner’s visitor policy which varies based on current safety pre-cautions. Currently, only one adult per child is allowed at the visit. We ask that you please do not bring siblings to your child’s appointment.