Providence Boyden Family Autism Center
Providence Boyden Family Autism Center
The Providence Boyden Family Autism Center opened in August 2014, with the goals of improving access to autism therapies and decreasing waiting times for diagnosis and treatment in Snohomish County. These remain our goals today.
Composed of a multi-disciplinary team of clinicians, the Center offers diagnostic services and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy. Our skilled team understands the unique challenges faced by children and families living with autism. We know that everyone experiences autism differently, which is why we tailor and individualize treatment to each child and family.
Our clinic philosophy recognizes the parents as their child’s first and best teacher, and we take great pride in the opportunity to partner with you on your journey. It is our goal to support each child and family in a manner that recognizes and respects their unique strengths, needs, culture and goals.
The Providence Boyden Family Autism Center is designated as a Center of Excellence by the Washington Healthcare Authority. Learn more about what it means to be a Center of Excellence.
We provide diagnostic assessments for children, ages 18 months through 18 years, at risk for or suspected of being on the autism spectrum. Our team of professionals have years of experience assessing and working with children on the autism spectrum.
In order to be seen at our diagnostic clinic, your child must be referred by his/her physician or a Birth to Three Early Intervention service provider, such as a Family Resource Coordinator, occupational therapist, or speech-language pathologist. Once the referral has been made, you can expect a new client screening packet containing paperwork to be completed and instructions for how to proceed, to be mailed within the next week. Once you complete and submit the paperwork, your child will be placed on the appointment list, and you will be contacted by the Autism Center when an appointment becomes available.
On the day of your appointment, the formal evaluation will consist of a clinical interview with you and a diagnostic evaluation for your child. The exact structure and components of the assessment depend on your child’s age and language development. Feedback regarding the outcome is typically provided the day of the evaluation. You will be provided with a written copy of the diagnostic report once completed, which will include findings of the evaluation and treatment recommendations.
Please note that in Washington state, only the following professionals are qualified to give an autism diagnosis:
- Licensed psychologist
- Board eligible psychiatrist
- Board certified developmental pediatrician
- Board certified behavioral pediatrician
- Board eligible neurologist
For Medicaid patients, the following professionals are also eligible to give an autism diagnosis if they are certified as a Center of Excellence (COE):
- Medical Doctor (MD)
- Osteopathic Doctor (DO)
- Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP)
- Naturopathic doctor (ND)
View a list of Center of Excellence providers in Washington state.
The Providence Boyden Family Autism Center currently offers Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy in two clinical settings.
The IDTP is a 12-week clinic-based program designed to address communication skills, educational readiness and behavior management for children on the autism spectrum, ages 2 year to 5 years, 11 months. The IDTP is open four days a week, and enrolled children receive three hours of therapy each day. Employing evidence based-practices, all learning is conducted in a small-group, classroom setting with an emphasis on play-based and naturalistic teaching strategies. Throughout the 12 weeks, children work on individualized goals designed to scaffold and support the development of communication, play, learner readiness and social skills.
The Bridging Program provides individual ABA therapy for graduates of our IDTP for up to one year. Children are provided with individualized treatment plans focus on communication, play, pre-academic and social skills within the context of a traditional clinical setting. Therapy rooms are designed as “centers,” which the children rotate throughout during their session, giving them the opportunity to interact with a variety of peers and learning resources. As the Bridging Program continues to grow, parent education, support and care coordination services will be available to provide parents and families with help navigating the complex world of autism support services.
Parent education and support is a hallmark of our programs, wherein families learn alongside our clinical team through participation in a variety of therapy opportunities and contexts. Parent education goals typically focus on teaching strategies for promoting functional communication skills, increasing adaptive skills, encouraging participation in social settings with peers and adults, and recognition and management of challenging behaviors. Our center also places emphasis on and provides support for the emotional health and well-being of parents through teaching of strategies for reducing stress and anxiety, as well as improving mood.
Our care team consists of highly qualified, experienced professionals, including the following:
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst - Doctoral (BCBA - D)
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
- Psychologist (PsyD/PhD)
- Certified Educator (Licensed Teacher)
- Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
- Certified Behavior Technician (CBT)
- Child-Patient Navigator
- Speech Language Pathologist (SLP)
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Licensed Mental Health Counselor (Coming soon!)
Consultations provided as needed by:
- Occupational Therapists
- Physical Therapists
The Providence Boyden Family Autism Center is supported in part by the local community and our generous donors.
We would like to extend a special “THANK YOU” to Richard and Judy Boyden for their extraordinary and ongoing support of the Autism Center. Their generosity has been instrumental in establishing and enhancing treatment opportunities for children with autism and their families in our community. Because of their significant support of this vital program, the Center is recognized as the Providence Boyden Family Autism Center.
Yes. Whether you are seeking a diagnostic assessment or therapy, you will need an appointment. It is highly recommended that families register for our appointment/interest list at their earliest convenience.
In order to be seen at our diagnostic clinic, your child must be referred by his/her physician or a Birth to Three Early Intervention service provider. Please refer to the “Assessment and Diagnosis” tab for more information.
We accept applications throughout the year for enrollment in the Intensive Day Treatment program. Parents are required to attend a 60 – 75 minute orientation prior to applying, which outlines the structure, schedule, and requirements of the application and program. This orientation is currently being offered virtually on a quarterly basis. Once a completed application is on file, you will be contacted regarding the plan for your child’s enrollment. Please note that your child must have a confirmed diagnosis of autism in order to be considered.
Yes, you can defer any number of times. However, children must be younger than 6 years old as of the first day of the session to be eligible for this program.
Children and families must successfully complete the Intensive Day Treatment program to be eligible for enrollment in the Bridging Program. Families are typically asked to indicate their interest in continuing onto the Bridging Program by the time they are about midway through the Intensive Day Treatment program.
It depends, but most insurance providers offer some ABA benefit. If you would like the definitive answer, please call us at 425-258-7097, and we would be happy to verify with your insurance provider whether this is a paid benefit.
- Street Parking – free limited and time sensitive
- Valet – cash
- Parking Garage – paid parking off of Nassau Street
Check in is at the Autism Center front desk, which located in Suite 100 of the Pavilion for Women and Children. The Center can be found to the left off the main entrance foyer, just past the gift shop.