Disability Services Quality Management Theory

Thomas D. McGheeApril 30, 2013

SCHOOL OF ADVANCED STUDIES UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX

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Purpose Statement

Autism is a developmental disorder that appears in the first 3 years of life, and affects the brain's normal development of social, cognitive, and communication skills. The current ratio of diagnosis is 1:88 children per the Community Report from the ADDM (2012). Prevalence of the disorder has placed a strain on the availability of social and psychological services for the autistic child and their families in northeastern Pennsylvania. Insufficient services are available through state run agencies, which places the burden on non-profit organizations. Coordination and quality management of services currently provided by state and non-profits is an area, which should be explored to enhance availability of services.

Agenda

Regional Needs of the Autistic Community

Support Services Requirements

Pennsylvania Non-Profit Organizations

Area Support Groups

Item 1

Available State Run Services

Item 2

Item 3

Item 4

Item 5

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Item 1

Item 2

Item 3

Item 6

Desired State Run Services

Services provided by Pennsylvania Non-Profit Organizations

Item 7

Agenda continued

Item 9 Continued Dialog

Item 10

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Follow-up

Item 11 Conclusion

Management PhilosophyItem 8

Regional Needs of the Autistic Community

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• Services

• Social • Psychological• Educational• Family

• Financial

• Assistance with out of pocket expenses associated with raising the autistic child

• Assistance in obtaining waiver

Support Services Requirements

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• Home Based Behavior Intervention Plans

• Community Based Instruction

• Evaluation of Placement/Transition Planning

Available State Run Services

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• Available services

• Mental Health Developmental Services (MHDS) – designed to assist families in finding means of assistance for children with an IQ off 70 and below

• Easter Seals assistance till three years of age if issues exist with the development of speech and motor skills

• Head start for low income families with autistic children with an IQ of 70 or below. Designed for use as a means to provide early intervention

Desired State Run Services

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• Desired services

• Necessity of additional early detection and intervention services. Currently available services are minimal.

• Elimination of gaps in social and educational services.

• Provision to provide availability of developmental pediatricians required to diagnose the existenceof autism in children

• Provision for specialized schools and hiring of additional educators

Pennsylvania Non-Profit Organizations

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• Autism Awareness – http://www.theautismsite.com

• Autism Speaks – http://www.autismspeaks.org

• Autism PDD Parent Group of Philadelphia

• My Autism Team – http://www.myautismteam.com/

• Pennsylvania Autism Society - http://www.nwpa-asa.org

• The Autism Society of America (ASA) - http://www.autism-society.org/

Area Support Groups

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• Autism support groups

• Pocono Autism Society, Inc. - http://poconoautism.org/• Pocono Equestrian Center - http://www.poconoequestrian.org/ • Autism Society of America (ASA) chapter

• Asperger support groups

• No Aspergers support groups are available withinthe tri-county area

Determination of Deficiencies

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• Limited family based services

• Local school systems are inadequate to support the needs of the autistic community

• Lack of qualified educators

• Lack of speech therapists

• Lack of parental training programs

Management Philosophy

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• Quality Management

• Preferred management method for coordination and oversight of disability related services

• Reduction of gaps through integration of service providers, groups, and agencies

• State provision for specialized schools and hiring of additional educators

• MHDS assistance and guidance• Implementation of family training programs• Combined services• Professional involvement with area support groups

Continued Dialog

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• Open line of communication between management and consultant upon implementation of combined services

Follow-up

• Evaluate effectiveness of implemented changes

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Conclusion

Odom, Cox, and Brock (2013) indicate that disability related programs would benefit greatly if principles of TQM were incorporated into management techniques currently in practice. Quality management of disability services is critical to ensure that the future of each child and young adult within the spectrum is secured.

References

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Booth, M., Fralich, J., & Bowe, T. (2005). Home and Community Based Services: Quality management roles and responsibilities. Portland, ME: Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service.

Community Report From the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network. (2012) (Vol. 61, pp. 1-10). Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders–Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network.

Fixsen, D., Blase, K., Metz, A., & Dyke, M. V. (2013). Statewide Implementation of Evidence-Based Programs. Exceptional Children, 79(2), 213-230.

Foote, N. L. (2004). Challenges of Testing Autistic Patients. American Journal of Electroneurodiagnostic Technology, 44(2), 103-107.

References continued

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Odom, S. L., Cox, A. W., & Brock, M. E. (2013). Implementation Science, Professional Development, and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Exceptional Children, 79(2), 233-251.

Pascale, C., & Marla, C. H. (2003). Balanced work system and participation in quality management: applications in the community. AI & Society, 17(2), 97-113.

Questions?

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