Spectrum Center Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: What do the treatments consist of?
A: Each treatment is a two-hour listening session of individually prescribed auditory stimulation and sensory integration activities.
Q: How
long does it take to complete the treatment?
A: The initial therapeutic program consists of three loops or intensives, each separated by a 4-6 week break. The first loop is 15 consecutive days of two-hour sessions followed by a break. The second loop is eight days of two-hour sessions followed by a break. The third loop is eight days of two-hour sessions. The program can be completed in about three months, depending on the length of the breaks.
Q: How
many days will it take to complete the treatment?
A: Generally it takes 3-4 months to complete the treatment program. (15-8-8).
Q: Can we schedule on a Sunday?
A: All local children are seen Monday through Saturday. Families from out-of-town can schedule sessions for their child on Sundays. Local adolescents and adults are seen Monday through Friday. Weekend sessions for out-of-town adolescents and adults are available on request.
Q:
What is the youngest age child that you can treat?
A: We have seen children as young as 16 months of age.
Q:Will
this treatment help my child?
A: The Spectrum Center has helped children with autism, PDD, Asperger’s Syndrome, ADD/ADHD, sensory integration disorders, learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, auditory processing disorders, language development disorders, dyspraxia, executive functioning disorders and genetic developmental disorders, including Down Syndrome and Fragile X. Our therapies have also helped children with school performance difficulties, including behavior problems and social skills difficulties, difficulty learning to read, write, or spell, and trouble grasping math concepts. If your child has any of these diagnoses or is experiencing inexplicable difficulties in school or social settings, consider scheduling an initial assessment with us.
Q: Can
this be something that can be done at home?
A: Because of the special equipment that we use the Tomatis Listening Therapy cannot be done at home at this time. However, we do recommend other listening programs that can be done at home for follow-up upon completion of 31 days of listening at the Spectrum Center. We also prescribe audio-vocal work that is done at home during the breaks and following the treatment program.
Q: Do
assessments have to be done at your center, or can we have our child assessed
elsewhere?
A: All children who are treated at the Spectrum Center need to be assessed by our professional staff. However, if your child was recently assessed for auditory processing and sensory integration issues and you send us the reports, our initial assessment can be modified accordingly.
Q:
Do you offer any discounts for siblings?
A: When more than one child from the same family under the age of 12 is treated at the Spectrum Center, the fee for the siblings is reduced by 25%.
Q: Where
can we stay while doing the treatment, since we are from out-of-town?
A: Nearby hotels in Bethesda are listed on our web site and can be mailed to you on request. Several hotel suites are available at weekly rates in nearby suburbs, but a car would be necessary.
Q: What
is your success rate? And are there any written data?
A: Success can be measured by so many parameters. Since we started doing this therapy in 1992 we have seen non-verbal children who began to speak in loop 1. We have also seen many children who made changes in self-regulation and dramatically improved the quality of life for their families. We estimate that 85% of the children we treat have responded to the therapy in positive ways. We are currently conducting a research study to determine factors that predict responsiveness to our treatment.
Q:
What is the cost?
A:
Initial Assessment
Testing, parent/client consult, initial assessment report and 6-month follow-up
testing (written report extra) $600.00
The fee for the Initial Assessment is payable in two installments:-$300
deposit is required to secure the scheduled assessment
- Balance is due on the date service is rendered
Program Fees include 62 hours of listening and two parent/client consultations
during each intensive. These consults are scheduled at the midpoint and end
of the 15-day intensive and at the start and end points of each 8-day intensive
and include a Listening Test when appropriate.
Children (age 12 and under)
15 –day intensive (30 treatment hours) $3,300.00
8-day intensive (16 treatment hours) $1,760.00
8-day intensive (16 treatment hours) $1,760.00
Adolescents (age 13 to 18)*
15-day intensive (30 treatment hours) $2,700.00
8-day intensive (16 treatment hours) $1,440.00
8-day intensive (16 treatment hours) $1,440.00
Adults (age 18 and above)*
15-day intensive (30 treatment hours)
$2,250.00 Q:
Do you accept Medicaid?
A:
No.
A:
We expect payment in full for each intensive on the first day of treatment.
A:
No, but financing is available with Wachovia Bank.
A:
Check or Visa/Master Card
Q:
What can we do while our child is in session?
A:
Parents are welcome to wait in our waiting room while their child
is in session. If you decide to leave the building, we require that you provide
a cell phone number where you can be reached. Our downtown Bethesda location
is within walking distance to many coffee shops, restaurants and boutiques and
a short drive to shopping malls.
8-day intensive (16 treatment hours) $1,200.00
8-day intensive (16 treatment hours) $1,200.00
*Adolescents and adults with severe developmental and/or physical disabilities
will be billed at the children’s rate.
Q:
Do you need to have payment up front?
Q:
Do you offer payment plans?
Q:
Which method of payment do you accept?