New Shelton clinic helping children with autism

SHELTON, Conn. (WTNH) — A new clinic providing services to children with autism has opened in Shelton.

For Autism Awareness Month, the clinic is raising awareness about a state-wide staffing shortage it said is causing barriers for some families who are trying to access supports.

Dennis and Jenny Shpits’ 5-year-old son, Constantine, was diagnosed with autism when he was an infant. The family had to wait one year on a waiting list to access services.

“Any time wasted getting into these services is time you’re not getting back.,” Dennis said. “[It could cause] permanent damage to this child for the rest of their life. It’s very destructive, because at the age, this is where they’re doing most of their learning.”

The Shpits were finally able to access Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy with Helping Hands Family, a service provider recently opening a clinic in Shelton.

Dennis and Jenny said their son is already benefitting tremendously. Constantine receives 20 hours of service each week.

“From the beginning of the year when he started with the services, there has been large improvements,” Jenny said. “He’s meeting his goals.”

Helping Hands Family currently serves 25 families in Connecticut, but staff said many more are waiting anxiously for services.

Across the state, staffing shortages are hindering families in need of support. Kate Dalcour, the director of clinical quality at the clinic, said part of the problem is low reimbursement rates from Medicaid, which in most cases covers ABA therapy.

“A lot of agencies therefore don’t contract with Medicaid, because they need to run their business, and they need to be able to hire staff and those rates are surprisingly low, especially with taxes in Connecticut,” Dalcour said. “Making sure we are able to adequately provide the amount of hours that we’re recommending for our families is really important.”

News 8 reached out to Medicaid, but did not receive a response.

Dalcour added that legislative change is critical in order to meet the need and improve the quality of life for children like Constantine, who are living on the spectrum.

“These services are the difference between having him be in an in-patient facility for his entire life, or getting to live a life on his own and being a productive member of society,” Dennis said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.