(REC) Abandoned at Six: The Service Cliff Betraying Autism’s Most Vulnerable

In the evolving field of autism therapy, providers are facing unprecedented challenges. As industry standards rise and reimbursement rates decline, the shift toward value-based care adds another layer of complexity. A distressing trend has emerged—the “service cliff”—where children over six years old, children with Level 3 autism, and/or severe behaviors are frequently rejected from services or not even placed on waitlists. These are the very individuals our field originally sought to serve.
With most Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) having less than five years of experience, there’s a pressing need to support these professionals in delivering high-quality care to those who need it most. This webinar invites participants to engage in an open and honest discussion about:

• Ethical waitlist management practices
• Strategies for scaling services responsibly
• Empowering new professionals to rise to industry challenges
• Ensuring that the most vulnerable populations receive the support they deserve

Join us as we delve into how we can collectively overcome these obstacles to prevent abandoning those who rely on our services the most.

Learning Objectives:

• The participant will identify the key factors contributing to the “service cliff” experienced by children over six, children with Level 3 autism and/or severe behaviors.
• The participant will explain the ethical considerations involved in waitlist management for autism therapy services.
• The participant will provide examples of strategies to responsibly scale autism therapy services amid increasing standards and limited resources.
• The participant will describe methods to empower less experienced BCBAs to deliver high-quality care to the most vulnerable clients.
• The participant will discuss potential advocacy and policy initiatives that can improve service accessibility and continuity for individuals with severe autism.

PRESENTERS: Suzanne Juzwik

Suzanne Juzwik is a dedicated Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) with over 20 years of experience in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Beginning her career as a respite worker, special education teacher, and camp counselor, Suzanne has devoted her life to supporting individuals with autism and their families.

As an autism mom, she brings a personal and compassionate perspective to her professional work. Suzanne serves as a parent representative on the Governor’s Council on Autism in Wisconsin, where she advocates for policies and programs that benefit the autism community. She was also a parent representative on the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence’s (BHCOE) and Cigna’s Value-Based Care Council, contributing her insights to improve care standards and outcomes.

In addition, Suzanne is a board member of the Autism Society of South Central Wisconsin, working tirelessly to provide resources, support, and advocacy for individuals with autism and their families. Her multifaceted experience and personal commitment make her a passionate leader dedicated to enhancing the lives of those affected by autism. Suzanne currently works as an ABA business consultant and provides coaching and services to ABA business owners through her company, Innovation Moon. She recently started an ABA business owner community, Launchpad to help ABA business owners find connection, support, and succeed.