Center for Autism
About
Little Friends Center for Autism (LFCA) strives to provide a fulfilling life for those we serve through comprehensive therapy services and evidence-based treatment strategies. We understand the range of emotions that may come with an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis and we are here to help families along the way. Our Center is home to dedicated staff providing exceptional care and services to help foster growth and empower those we serve. In addition to our therapeutic services, we offer a wide range of trainings available to other professional organizations.
Here at LFCA, we strive to provide not just the best services but the best services specific to your child and family. We truly believe in a team approach and know how valuable these services are for gaining essential life skills. We look forward to working with families as they navigate life with autism, whether it is at the beginning of the journey, middle, or ongoing. Our clinical team is available throughout the entire process beginning with the inquiry request. From there, our team provides ongoing support and communication to ensure collaboration of care.
Therapies
Our center offers several therapies to best fit the needs of each individual. These include:
Diagnostic Evaluations – Grow Wellness Group Partnership
Little Friends is proud of our alliance with Grow Wellness Group expanding our access to provide diagnostic evaluations. Grow Wellness Group was founded by Adam Ratner, LCSW, MBA, and Wendy Hayum-Gross, MA, LCPC, in Naperville, with a mission focused on two fundamental objectives: providing clients with the best care possible and ensuring that every clinician at Grow Wellness Group is highly experienced, compassionate, empathic, and passionate about the services they provide.
The significance of gaining access to evaluations for early intervention for autism is well documented. Therapies provided by our Center for Autism complement the professional diagnostic services Grow Wellness Group offers.
Enrollment & Funding Process
Eligibility
Individuals do not need an autism diagnosis to receive services at our center. However, a doctor’s prescription is required for most therapies to qualify for coverage under most insurance plans.
Access to Services
Little Friends Center for Autism accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and United Healthcare. Our billing specialist can assist with verifying benefits to identify your plans coverage and any additional expenses. Patient/family responsibility is accepted by credit card, cash, check. We do not accept Medicaid for therapeutic services. Toilet training and socials skills groups are not covered by insurance.
Illinois requires commercial insurance plans to cover ABA therapy. The patient owes whatever amount the insurance company does not cover. On average, insurance covers 90-95% of the total expenses. Without that level of help, ABA may be unaffordable. While most commercial insurance plans cover ABA therapy costs, there are some self-funded insurance plans that do not. Even though insurance generally covers most of the costs, patients still owe out of pocket expenses in the form of deductibles, copays, or coinsurances.
For speech and occupational therapies, cost varies by insurance plan, number of therapy hours, and other factors. Our office manager can help verify benefits before services begin so you and your family know what costs might be involved before therapies begin.