Referrals are initiated to the Directors by regional centers, parents, or school personnel. Information related to the child's age, geographic location, availability of a Clinical Team, ability of Parent to provide necessary support to program, etc., are used to guide decision making.

Direct observation of the child by the Directors and/or the Clinical Supervisor/Consultant and Clinical Assistant is initiated at this time. In addition, parents must also visit The Kendall School or an in-home program with a Clinical Supervisor or Clinical Assistant. Parental Roles and Responsibilities and Informed Consent issues are also explained during these visits.

A child is placed in a Therapeutic PATHWAYS program when all of the following conditions have been met:

• The child is between the ages of 1 and 4 years; has been diagnosed as having an autism spectrum disorder by a clinician experienced with these disorders; is without significant medical complications or obvious severe mental retardation.
  

• Comprehensive pretreatment test battery including measures of cognitive, language, and adaptive skills. In addition, parents and funding agencies agree to yearly psychoeducational and speech and language test battery.
  

• Availability of Clinical Team with expertise that matches the needs of the child
  

• Child's geographic location permits recruitment of qualified Instructional Assistants and adequate supervision by the Directors, the Clinical Supervisor/Consultant, and Clinical Assistant
  

• Parents and home situation appears capable of providing the necessary program support
  

• Parents understand and agree to all elements of Therapeutic PATHWAYS' Parent Roles and Responsibilities and Informed Consent
  

• Sufficient funding (i.e., from the schools or Regional Center) has been secured