Michigan: Easterseals opens diagnostic center for autism; wait time had been 6 mo to one year

Aug 30, 2018, Oakland (MI) Press: Easterseals approved for autism evaluation center to serve hundreds of children https://www.theoaklandpress.com/news/local/easterseals-approved-for-autism-evaluation-center-to-serve-hundreds-of/article_28653492-ac9c-11e8-a650-0be60cedc815.html Easterseals Michigan has been named an approved autism evaluation center by the Blue Care Network and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. With locations in Waterford, Pontiac, Southfield and Auburn Hills, Easterseals is hoping to cut down on the wait time parents and guardians face when setting up an initial assessment for their child. Sometimes, it can take from six months to a year, according to the organization. The assessments will take place at the Auburn Hills campus, 2399 East Walton Blvd. “Families living with autism have enough struggles to deal with on a daily basis. Timely access to services shouldn't be one of them,” Colleen Allen, president and CEO of the Autism Alliance of Michigan said. “The wait lists for a comprehensive, quality autism evaluation are extensive. … The organizations serves more than 10,000 people annually. “For nearly 100 years we’ve been a pioneer in developing specialty programs. We think of disabilities as things that happen to people, it’s our mission to help them live, work, learn and play,” Hosner said. “Without this, children don’t get into the right services at the right time. We want to work with them as soon as possible to see the maximum benefit.”