Autism Navigation Services

It's not always easy navigating the autism journey.

Wherever you are, let us walk the path beside you.

We envision a world where all can live without limits.

Autism Navigation Services offers counseling and therapeutic support services to individuals and families for a lifetime – from understanding the initial diagnosis to exploring independent living options, and everything in between. Our highly trained, licensed Autism Therapists meet the unique needs of autistic individuals and their families by providing individually-tailored services including psychoeducation, cognitive-behavior therapy, and executive function skill building. Because autism affects the entire family from siblings to grandparents, we take a comprehensive approach to ensure that each member of your family is cared for.

ANS also acts as the area’s premier referral and information source for individuals with autism, their families, and caregiving providers by connecting them to programs, social events, government benefits, and more.

We serve clients in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.

About Autism Navigation Services

A 2017 community needs assessment identified the lack of assistance in navigating autism support services in our area. Providers, caregivers, families, and individuals expressed the need for information about identifying local services, finding professionals who specialize in caring for individuals with autism, and learning to navigate through the system.

Avenues for Autism developed Autism Navigation Services to meet that need. ANS delivers comprehensive programs and planning for individuals with autism and serves as a clearinghouse of information for families and providers. Our clinical therapists act as a primary resource to guide therapies, medical treatment, equipment, financial assistance, and government benefits.

Our Services

Counseling sessions are 45 minutes in length and are typically scheduled weekly via telehealth. Sessions are offered at a variety of different times to best meet your individual needs.

Assessment for Initiating Services

Prior to starting services, a thorough assessment will be conducted to obtain an understanding of the concerns that bring you into counseling. An intake assessment will involve the completion of questionnaires by the client prior to the session, review and interpretation of questionnaires, and a clinical interview. The questionnaires will be sent to you via our HIPAA-compliant portal, along with the rest of our consent documents. The clinical interview will be conducted via telehealth. An individual login will be sent to your email and cell phone prior to your session.
Please ensure that your questionnaires are completed at least 24 hours before your initial session so they can be reviewed by your therapist. This data, along with the information gained from the clinical interview, is critical to understanding your needs and will help in the development of recommendations.
At the end of the assessment, your therapist will provide you with recommendations for treatment. This will involve discussing specific types of treatment and goals for therapy. In some situations, clinical recommendations may include a referral to another provider in addition to our support.

Individual Therapy for Adolescents and Adults with Autism

Therapists utilize a variety of approaches during individual therapy, but primarily rely on Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT). CBT is a common type of therapy which helps individuals link thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, in order to provide opportunities to learn self-awareness, problem-solving skills, self-regulation, and improve social competence. Individual counseling is provided to autistic adolescents and adults who have adequate skills to participate in discussion and reflection during sessions.
Supplemental activities are typically assigned in between sessions which helps you practice new skills and generalize skills to a variety of different contexts and environments.
Parent/caregiver involvement is often encouraged, as it can be vital to therapy.

Individual Therapy for Parents/Caregivers

Therapy for Parents/Caregivers supports your unique needs as an individual caring for a person with autism. While helping to process your journey, your therapist will help you develop practical strategies to manage the variety of feelings and stressors you may be experiencing. Other focus areas may include improving coping skills, developing distress tolerance, and management of self-care.
Supplemental activities are assigned in between sessions to gain additional learning and provide opportunities for reflection.

Family Therapy & Parent Coaching

Autism can impact the entire family from parents to siblings to grandparents, and beyond. Family counseling can help you better understand autism and work through the dynamics of your family relationships, with the aim of improving communication and acceptance. Therapy will also focus on creating an individualized path for both your family and your loved one with autism, which may include topics such as school options, autism-specific therapies, transition to adulthood, and strategies for behavioral challenges. Therapists utilize a variety of clinical frameworks to meet the unique needs of your family including psychoeducation, which provides you with information and support to help better understand your loved one.
Supplemental activities and action plans are assigned in between sessions to help your family meet individualized goals.

Accepted Insurances:

Aetna*
Anthem (Ohio Medicaid)
Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield
Buckeye Health Plan (Ohio Medicaid)
CareSource (Marketplace & Ohio Medicaid)
Cigna
Humana Commercial

Humana Healthy Horizons (Ohio Medicaid)
Medical Mutual
Molina (Marketplace & Ohio Medicaid)
Paramount
United Healthcare Commercial (including Optum)
United Healthcare Community Plan (Ohio Medicaid)
Private Pay Rates Available

*Insurance acceptance is pending.