Jenny Fischer

Preliminary Assessment

The preliminary assessment takes place prior to beginning consultation for an intensive or transitional behavioral intervention program. During the preliminary assessment, measures of a child’s current skills are conducted. Based on the particular skill level of a given child, the time needed to conduct the assessment varies. In addition to one-on-one therapy hours spent conducting the assessment, several hours are required to write an assessment report.


Consultation for Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (Local)

Early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) consists of 30-40 hours per week of intensive, one-on-one behavioral treatment aimed at helping young children with autism “catch up” with their typically developing peers. While not all children achieve this goal, the aim of an EIBI program is to prepare children for successful inclusion in a general education classroom. The one-on-one instructional assistants (IAs) in these EIBI programs are employed and paid by the child’s parents, and the cost of these therapy hours is the responsibility of the parents. EIBI consultation consists of consultation visits every two weeks. These visits occur over 1-2 days and involve 6-10 hours of consultation (some of which do not involve direct client contact). Consultation includes observations of in-home and school programs, IA training, parent training, programming recommendations, staff meetings, and progress reports. In addition, consultation by phone and email outside of scheduled visits is available. Parents are billed for phone consultation that exceeds 15 minutes per call.   

Consultation for Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (Out of Area)

For clients living outside of Deschutes, Jefferson, or Crook Counties, EIBI services are available that are similar to those described above, with the exception that only one face-to-face visit will take place per month. This visit will take place over 2-3 days, and will consist of approximately 12-20 hours of consultation. The second monthly consultation will involve phone and/or video conferencing, and will include approximately 4 hours of consultation (not all of which will involve phone contact). Special arrangements can also be made for clients living outside of Oregon or the United States, with less frequent face-to-face contact, and more frequent video and phone conferencing. For all out of area consultation, travel expenses (e.g., mileage, hotel, airfare) must be covered by the family, or may be shared by several families.


Consultation for Transitional Programs (Local)

For children who have completed an EIBI program and continue to require consultation on a less intensive basis, transitional consultation services are available. As in EIBI programs, the one-on-one instructional assistants (IAs) in transitional programs are employed and paid by the child’s parents. Transitional consultation consists of 1-2 consultation visit per month. The duration of these visits varies, and may require ¾ to ½ the amount of consultation hours involved in EIBI programs. Similar to EIBI consultation, these visits include observations of in-home and school programs, IA training, parent training, programming recommendations, staff meetings, and progress reports. In addition, consultation by phone and email outside of scheduled consultation visits is available. Parents are billed for phone consultation that exceeds 15 minutes per call.  Appropriateness for transitional consultation is based on Ms. Fischer’s professional judgment and the individual child’s needs.


Consultation for Transitional Programs (Out of Area)

For clients living outside of Deschutes, Jefferson, or Crook Counties, transitional services are available that are similar to those described above, with the exception that only one face-to-face visit will take place per month. Additional consultation by phone or video conferencing will be provided if needed. Special arrangements can also be made for clients living outside of Oregon or the United States, with less frequent face-to-face contact, and more frequent video and phone conferencing. For all out of area consultation, travel expenses (e.g., mileage, hotel, airfare) must be covered by the family, or may be shared by several families.

Instructional Assistant (IA) Training

Recruitment and hiring of instructional assistants (IAs) who work one on one with the child is the responsibility of the parents. IA training is available to prepare new IAs to work independently with a client. This training is in addition to the consistent training, feedback, and evaluations that IAs receive during consultation visits, and is intended to prepare new IAs to work one-on-one with a child. The number of hours required will vary based on the learning rate of each IA.


Workshops

As needed, workshops may be provided to parents and instructional assistants to target specific skills, such as behavior management, promoting spontaneous language through play, etc. Fees will vary depending on the number of attendees, the length of the workshop, etc.


Behavioral Consultation

Consultation to address behavioral concerns in the home is available on an hourly basis for families not involved in an EIBI or transitional program. Consultation takes place in the child’s home and consists of an initial assessment and interview, followed by recommendations and parent training. Additional time may be billed if assessment reports or other written reports are required. Typically, consultation consists of 3-4 weekly appointments of 1-2 hours in length, with follow-up appointments every two weeks then monthly, based on specific client needs.


Fees

The rate for all services listed above is $75 per hour. A sliding scale is available to a limited number of families who demonstrate financial need. Please note that travel expenses for out of area services are not included in hourly fees. When consultation requires travel outside of Deschutes County, parents are responsible for arranging hotel accommodations and airfare as needed, and are billed for mileage reimbursement at a rate of $.40 per mile.