Effective Date: July 1, 1996
Date Revised: July 1, 2014
Title:
CT Birth to Three System
TRANSDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO SERVICES
Purpose: In order to accomplish effective collaboration among all members of the
team, this best practice model of service delivery encourages a team to
enlarge its common core of knowledge and the competency of each team
member.
Overview
A transdisciplinary approach to service delivery is recommended for all early
intervention and support services. Transdisciplinary means the parent and persons
from two or more disciplines teach, learn and work together across traditional
disciplinary or professional boundaries. The team should designate one team member
as the primary interventionist (Primary provider model). Team members may provide
direct or consultative services or both to the family and other team members.
Transdisciplinary Teaming
The transdisciplinary approach is considered to be best practice because:
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Working as a transdisciplinary team reduces the likelihood of confusion for the
family by reducing the number of people and disciplines with which they need to
interact.
It enhances relationship between the service coordinator and family if the service
coordinator is also the primary interventionist.
It increases collaboration and communication among team members
Ensures that all providers going into the home are working on the same
outcomes and strategies.
When describing the approach to families providers should elaborate on these
concepts.
It is expected that teams will need to meet on a regular basis, therefore, it is imperative
that staff schedules allow adequate time for consultation or meeting with team
members and parents. Evidence of teaming should be documented in the child’s
record. Completion of Form 2-6 Transdisciplinary Team Documentation of Medical
Expertise, does not meet the standard for evidence of teaming with the family.
A transdisciplinary team should not be confused with a multidisciplinary team which
means the involvement of two or more disciplines or professions and is required by Part
C of IDEA in the provision of an integrated and coordinated evaluation to determine
eligibility and an assessment to develop the summary of present abilities and strengths.
The transdisciplinary team uses this information to identify the outcomes the family
wants and the steps and strategies to reach the outcomes. All recommended services
as indicated on the IFSP whether they are provided in the home or in a community
Transdisciplinary page 2
setting are provided by the team in a manner that supports and enhances the child and
family’s capabilities.
Transdisciplinary Team Documentation of Medical Expertise for
Medicaid Eligible Children
In the transdisciplinary approach, early intervention teachers, specialists, associates
assistants and Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) work closely with medically
licensed staff such as occupational and physical therapists, speech and language
pathologists, nurses, audiologists, licensed clinical psychologists and other medically
licensed professionals in designing and delivering services. Under the Connecticut
State Regulations for the Department of Social Services Sections 17b-262-597 through
17b-262-605, if a child covered by Medicaid (Husky A), is receiving any services from
an early intervention teacher, specialist, associate, assistant or a BCBA, then evidence
must be available to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of
participation by all members of a transdisciplinary team in the delivery of services. At
least once per quarter, one or more of the medically licensed professionals on the team
must sign that they have reviewed the child’s progress and have had discussions with
the early intervention teacher, specialist, associate, assistant or BCBA, about the child’s
program. The medically licensed staff should indicate their area of licensure or
discipline (such as OT, PT, SP, etc.) on the Transdisciplinary Team Documentation of
Medical Expertise, Form 2-6. The form should be filed in the child’s early intervention
record.
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Reference:
Form 2-6, Transdisciplinary Team Documentation of Medical Expertise