Neuro-Behavioral Evaluation, Program Planning,
Activity Check, and Program Reviews

The HANDLE® Approach: Applied Neurology in the Home and Classroom

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Child-in-Family Services provides out-patient services only. It is not an in-patient facility, nor is lodging provided at Child-in-Family Services for multi-day stays. The Conroe, Texas Chamber of Commerce is a good resource for lodging in this area.

A Complete Neuro-Behavioral Program Consists of
Roman Numerals I And II Below:

1. Assessment, Program Plan, and First Activity Check: 6 hours of actual client/client caregiver contact and 1 hour of non-client/client caregiver contact; Consists of 3 segments which can be broken up into 3 different days:

A. Segment I: Consists of a 2-hr. Neuro-Behavioral Assessment (client/client caregivers present) to determine neuro-behavioral strengths and weaknesses and 1 hour program planning (client/client caregivers not present) of specialized habilitative activities; (3 hrs.)

B. Segment II: Consists of Presentation of Program Plan and Training: 2 hrs. in length; trains client and/or caregivers in the specialized home program activity plan to best strengthen the weaker neuro-behavioral systems for better brain efficiency and functioning (2 hrs.)

C. Segment III: Consists of the Activity Check. 2 hours in length; Happens after client has practiced the program for a short while. Purpose is to check the caregiver or client’s accuracy in executing the program; modifies the activities for better brain habilitation; may add or delete activities for optimal program results. (2 hrs.)

Cost: $80 per 60-minute hour (7 hours x $80)= $560. May be reimbursable to client by their insurance company. May be reimbursable to Child-in-Family Services by contracted third party entity.

Monthly Program Reviews: 2 hours in length; recommended monthly for 5 months in duration; As the client makes improvement through the practice of the program, it is necessary to make modifications to the program to ensure optimal program results.

Cost: $80 per 60-minute hour. Each monthly program review is 2 hrs. in length {2 hrs. x $80 = $160). May be reimbursable to client by their insurance company. May be reimbursable to Child-in-Family Services by contracted third party entity.

Questions and Answers

We're from Arkansas. How does a multi-day stay work?

Families stay in local hotels, camp grounds or with local friends and relatives for long enough to get an assessment, program plan with training and an activity check. This takes a 2-3 day stay. The assessment in the morning with the presentation of program plan and training in the afternoon. Then the families return the next day or the next for an activity check before going home. They then return in about a month for a program review.

We're about a 2-hr drive from your office. Should we do a multi-day stay?

That's up to you and how much time and patience you have to spend on the road. A 2-3 day stay might be what's best for you as well.

Our child has Medicaid and we are driving quite a distance to see you. Do you know of any organization to help us pay for gas and maybe lodging?

Please contact Texas Medicaid Health and Human Services Commission at 877-633-8747 before your appointment. They may be able to help you with the cost for the medical transportation of your child and for perhaps even lodging.

Do we drop our children off at your office and sit out in the waiting room while you do your work?

All children and disabled adults are accompanied by their guardians in the treatment room. Guardians must be trained to help the identified client in the home with the neuro-behavioral activities, so therefore, must be able to monitor and in some cases conduct the activities.

How many days a week should this program be practiced?

7 days a week is perfect. 5 days a week is great. Less than 3 days a week isn't worth the effort.

How long does it take to do this every day?

It takes the average person 20 to 30 minutes a day.

When should we see results?

One should start seeing some results, on the average, in 6-9 weeks. Some clients experience results much sooner than that. Some, almost immediately.

Can the school do the program with our child?

Of course. But school personnel must be trained in how to do the program.

Does my child need to be off medication for this program to work?

One of the goals of the program is that medication can be reduced or eliminated due to the program's effectiveness.

What does nutrition have to do with this program?

The brain and the body must be fed properly in order to grow strong and be more efficient. Some brains and bodies may have heavy metal toxicity that needs to be eliminated. Some brains need targeted amino acid therapy to balance the neuro transmitters. This is why some clients may be referred to either the certified clinical nutritionist who works with this program or to another health care practitioner in their area.

Is your neuro-behavioral program supposed to take the place of all other approaches and therapies we are doing with our child?

No. A neuro-behavioral program strengthens the lower neurological systems that the higher neurological systems depend on. A neuro-behavioral program can increase the effectiveness of many other therapies such as Sensory Integration Therapy, Tomatis Training, Neuro-feedback, etc. In fact, sometimes a neuro-behavioral program is the prerequisite of many of these other therapies such as Neuro-feedback.

How do we need to prepare for each visit?

Clients should eat a nutritious, higher protein breakfast the morning of the appointment and bring non-sugary snacks with them. It is important that the client be as psychotropic and class II stimulant free as possible during the evaluation so the practitioner can get a better idea of how well the brain is working without the influence of drugs. Please check with the client's doctor if necessary to see which medications can be deleted or delayed the night before the sessions. Please inform Child-in-Family Services if your child has special needs such as allergies to or fear of dogs since there is miniature dacshund therapy dog here. Please let us know if the client has special needs such as needing newspaper or magazines for anxious shredding or any other unique needs.

I'm afraid we might forget how to do these activities when we get home. Any way we can video tape the sessions?

Your sessions will be recorded on a DVD for you

Can we bring our other children with us?

Yes, as long as you have arranged for childcare other than Child-in-Family Services since there is no childcare here.

What if our child is violent, stronger than us and unpredictable?

Child-in-Family Services cannot serve violent, unpredictable, and aggressive clients whom the home caregivers are unable to physically contain.

Can someone besides the child’s parents or guardians bring a child for the neuro-behavioral habilitation?

Yes, as long as the person bringing the client in will be the one conducting and/or supervising the client doing the activities.

A Texas Medicaid provider.
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