FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions About Birchtree

What is applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy?

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a data-driven, scientifically proven approach used to teach new behaviors and reduce unwanted, challenging behaviors. Click here for more information about ABA therapy.

What is autism?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how people communicate with others and the world around them. Click here for more information about autism.

Why is your organization called Birchtree?

Birchtree is named after New Hampshire’s state tree, the white birch. The shallow-rooted birch tree often grows in clusters to survive. Likewise, people with autism and behavior challenges are more likely to grow and flourish when they’re surrounded by supportive family, teachers, and community members.

To find out how you can join Birchtree’s community of supporters, click here.

Programs & Services FAQs

Do you offer services funded by health insurance?

Birchtree does not bill Medicaid, Medicare, Tricare, or any other health insurance for consultation, therapy, or services. Our nonprofit focuses on providing high quality services while working in direct partnership with school districts, agencies, families, and individuals.

Birchtree will comply with school-district requests for documentation required for reimbursement through the Medicaid to Schools program for medically necessary services provided by Birchtree’s staff in Birchtree’s day school program or in public school settings.

Do you operate a clinic to provide applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, or other therapies?

Birchtree does not offer applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, or other therapies to outside clients in a clinic-based setting.

Students attending Birchtree’s day school do receive applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and other needed therapies as part of their full-day programming. Birchtree’s staff also provides applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy in public schools and in family homes to assist public school districts in implementing students’ Individualized Education Plan (IEPs).

Do you offer home-based programs?

Birchtree’s Outreach Program offers home-based consultation for individuals and families by Board Certified Behavior Analysts^® (BCBAs^®). These behavior experts offer guidance to individuals and families in developing routines, promoting independence, and successfully navigating home and community environments.

Birchtree sometimes works in partnership with school districts to offer home-based instruction by Registered Behavior Technicians^® (RBTs^®) or Clinical Instructors. But this only occurs when districts have requested Birchtree’s help in implementing students’ Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) at home.

Due to scheduling constraints, Birchtree is unable to offer any other type of home-based therapy or instruction. Our nonprofit does not bill Medicaid, Medicare, Tricare, or any other health insurance for consultation, therapy, or services.

Do you offer residential programs?

No; Birchtree does not operate a residential school or other residential programs.

Do you offer before- or after-school care or respite programs?

Due to scheduling constraints, Birchtree is unable to provide before- or after-school care or respite programs.

Do you offer summer camps or other summer-only programs?

Birchtree’s day school and Outreach Program both operate year round. Therefore, Birchtree does not have the capacity to offer summer camps or other summer-only programs.

In some cases, Birchtree’s Outreach Team collaborates with school districts to provide consultation and direct services to help students be successful in existing summer-camp programs or in Extended School Year (ESY) programming offered by their local schools.

Do you offer support groups or social-skills groups?

Birchtree is unable to provide support groups or social-skills groups at this time.

Do you offer assessments to diagnose if someone has autism?

Birchtree does not provide diagnostic assessments. If you suspect that your child has autism, you should speak to your child’s pediatrician; they may refer you for consultation with a developmental neurologist or other professional. If you are seeking an autism evaluation for yourself or for another adult, you can look for a psychiatrist, psychologist, or neuropsychologist with autism expertise. More information about how autism is diagnosed is here.

Fees & Payments FAQs

What is the tuition fee for Birchtree’s day school?

Birchtree charges tuition for its day school program, payable in monthly installments. The tuition rate for Birchtree’s day school is determined by the New Hampshire Department of Education’s Bureau of Special Education Support. Birchtree’s current annual tuition rate is posted on the Bureau of Special Education Support’s website.

How is tuition for Birchtree’s day school paid?

For students enrolled in Birchtree’s day school, the student’s home school district pays the tuition fee.

What are the fees for Birchtree’s Outreach consultation and services?

Outreach consultation and services are available for an hourly fee; rates vary depending on the service provided. Travel fees may also apply.

For more information about rates and the availability of services, contact our Outreach Team.

Who pays for Birchtree's Outreach consultation and services?

Birchtree contracts with school districts, developmental service agencies, individuals, and families.

School districts and service agencies wishing to partner with Birchtree’s autism and behavior experts typically pay Birchtree directly for consultation and services.

Individuals and families pay Birchtree directly for consultation. Birchtree does not bill health insurance companies for consultation, therapy, or services.

Day School FAQs

Do you have any openings in your day school?

Birchtree’s day school typically operates at full capacity. We maintain an active waiting pool of eligible students and when openings arise, we review the eligible students in our waiting pool and select one to offer placement. For more information about the enrollment process, click here.

How long is Birchtree’s school day and school year?

Students attend Monday through Friday from 9am through 3pm. Instruction is offered year round; our school calendar is here.

How do students get to Birchtree’s day school?

Students’ local school districts provide daily transportation to and from Birchtree.

What is the class size?

There are up to five students per classroom.

What is the staffing model?

We provide one-on-one rehabilitative assistance across the school day for all students who need that level of support. Additionally, instruction and therapy takes place one-on-one or in small groups, under the close supervision of Birchtree’s autism specialists. More information about our day-school team is here.

Is lunch provided?

Birchtree does not have a school lunch program. Families typically send in snacks and lunches from home. For students facing food insecurity at home, it may be possible for lunch and snacks to be provided by Birchtree with the generous help of End 68 Hours of Hunger Portsmouth.

Can I tour your school?

For the safety of our students, all facility tours and visits must be scheduled in advance, and we can only accommodate small groups for tours.

If you are a member of the media or general public who wants to learn more about Birchtree in general, please contact Jessica Squier, Director of Philanthropy & Communication, at jsquier@birchtreenh.org to schedule your tour.

If you are a parent, educator, or service provider who wants to learn more about Birchtree’s day school and are considering a possible day-school placement, please contact Shelly Fagen, Director of Student Services, to schedule your tour. Tours are typically scheduled Monday through Friday between 9:30am and 2:30pm.

Program Access FAQs

Can Birchtree's behavior experts help my child be more successful in their local school?

We recommend that families work in partnership with their school districts (or developmental agency for children under three years) to discuss their concerns and develop a plan to address their child’s needs.

More information about Birchtree’s behavior consultation and services for schools and agencies is here. You are welcome to share this information with your child’s team. Schools and agencies interested in Outreach services are welcome to contact our Outreach Team.

How do I determine if Birchtree’s day school might be a good fit for my child with autism?

If you think that Birchtree’s day school might be an appropriate fit for your child, you should discuss this idea with your child’s team within your school district or developmental agency (for students under three years). Ask if your district/agency would be interested in exploring an out-of-district placement at Birchtree.

If your district/agency is interested, they can contact Shelly Fagen, Director of Student Services, with questions and to schedule facility tours as needed.

If your district/agency and your family both agree to pursue a placement for your child in Birchtree’s day school, then a referral packet must be submitted for review by Birchtree’s staff. More information about the enrollment process for Birchtree’s day school is here.

How can our family get behavior consultation from a Birchtree BCBA?

Contact our Outreach Team to talk about whether Birchtree’s behavior consultation for families might be a good fit for your family.

If you decide that consultation from a Birchtree Board Certified Behavior Analyst^® (BCBA^®) could benefit your family, you can contract for an initial home-based assessment of your child. A Birchtree BCBA will come to your home, do an initial assessment of your child, discuss your family’s goals for your child, and work with you to determine the frequency and duration, and format of consultation that would be appropriate for your family. Upon agreement of a contract for services, a BCBA will schedule ongoing consultation for your family.

Families pay directly for Birchtree’s consultation services; Birchtree does not bill health insurance companies for consultation, therapy, or services.

How can I get an assessment completed for my child?

For more information about behavior assessments offered through Birchtree’s Outreach Program, please contact our Outreach Team.

Birchtree does not provide diagnostic assessments. If you suspect that your child has autism, you should speak to your child’s pediatrician; they may refer you for consultation with a developmental neurologist or other professional. More information about how autism is diagnosed is here.

Can you help my school/ agency/ workplace/ organization learn more about behavior and/or autism?

Please contact our Outreach Team to discuss your organization’s needs. Birchtree offers workshops and training on a wide range of topics for schools and agency staff as well as for community organizations and businesses.

Career / Internship / Volunteering FAQs

I want to join Birchtree’s team! Do you have any job openings?

Thanks for your interest in being part of our Birchtree team! Learn more about why our staff love working for Birchtree on our Careers at Birchtree page. Our current openings are here.

Do you offer job shadowing and internships?

At Birchtree, we’re passionate about sharing our expertise. While we don’t currently have a formal internship program, we often facilitate job-shadowing experiences and occasionally offer short-term, unpaid internships. For further details, please contact Sarah Ouellette, Human Resources Director, at souellette@birchtreenh.org.

Do you offer any volunteer opportunities?

Thanks for your interest in helping our nonprofit! Information about volunteering is here.

Other FAQs

How can I help your nonprofit?

We’d love to have you join Birchtree’s community of supporters! You can join our staff team, volunteer, attend our fundraising events, and donate to our nonprofit. To discuss how you can get involved, contact Jessica Squier, Director of Philanthropy & Communication, at jsquier@birchtreenh.org or 603-433-4192 x15.

Why doesn’t Birchtree include the faces of its students and clients on its website?

To preserve the privacy of its students, clients, and families, Birchtree adheres to strict confidentiality standards and best practices. Any photos on this website and on Birchtree’s social media platforms that show the faces of students, clients, or parents are stock photos posed by models.

And for More Information...

What is Autism?

What is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)?

How can applied behavior analysis (ABA) assist in addressing challenging behavior – helping individuals enjoy greater well-being, independence, and productivity?