Starfish Youth Therapy Center

Our address is 465 Elrod Ave Suite 101, Coos Bay, OR, 97420. We are across the street from the fire station, on the bottom floor. 

 A referral from a physician is required for all of Starfish's autism services. You may ask your provider to complete a referral form if you feel our services may be of benefit for your child. For your convenience, a downloadable referral form is available at the top of this web page. 

Once a referral is received, a Patient Services Representative will contact you to register and review next steps. You will be contacted by one of Starfish's providers when they have an opening for your child. 

Starfish currently has a waitlist for all autism therapy services. We are working diligently to grow our team and expand access to our services within the community. 

An autism diagnosis is required for ABA, occupational therapy, and speech therapy services. Waterfall Community Health Center also provides pediatric psychiatry and counseling services for children of varying needs. An autism diagnosis is not required for psychiatry and counseling services. 

The evaluation process differs across each type of therapy. Typically, a parent or legal guardian will be required to attend an initial intake appointment with their child that lasts anywhere from 60-120 minutes. Further evaluation appointments for additional testing or observation 

may be scheduled at the provider's discretion. Your Starfish provider will clearly outline the intake and initial evaluation process with you prior to your child's first appointment. 

Prior to your child's initial appointment at Starfish, you will need to register as a patient. This can be done by visiting Starfish Youth Therapy Center to complete a form or by registering online: https://www.wfall.org/resources/patient-forms/new-patient-registration/

Your child's provider may request that you complete additional intake paperwork or questionnaires prior to the initial appointment. Your provider will instruct you how to obtain and complete these forms during the initial phone call.

If a diagnostic autism report was no included in your child's referral, you may be asked to bring one with you to your child's initial appointment. You will also need to bring the following: 

• A current photo ID (license) 
• Insurance card 
• Prior therapeutic, medical, or academic evaluations 
• Starfish intake paperwork or questionnaires completed prior to the appointment 

All siblings and children accompanying the patients must be supervised by a parent or other designated adult throughout their time at Starfish. It is recommended that siblings stay home during the initial evaluation so parents are able to give their undivided attention to the patient and evaluation process. If unable to secure childcare, it is recommended that families arrange for a parent or other adult to accompany and supervise siblings while on clinic property. Starfish Youth Therapy Center does not provide childcare services. 

Parents are typically required to attend the initial evaluation appointment and may be asked to participate in some therapy sessions, depending on the type or therapy and specific skills targeted. Parents may also be asked to participate in individual parent education and training sessions or be given follow up tasks to complete with their child in an effort to maximize progress. Starfish providers strive to provide the entire family with skills and knowledge to help the patient gain the greatest benefit from therapy. 

The length and frequency of sessions will vary depending on the types of therapies and patient availability for therapy. Most children receiving speech or occupational therapy are scheduled for 30-60 minute sessions 1-2 times per week. Children enrolled in ABA therapy will be scheduled for reoccurring appointments 1-5 times per week that may last from 1.5-4 hours each. The duration of the treatment for all therapies depends on the child’s response to treatment and individual needs. 

Medical coverage will vary, but many health insurance plans cover our services. Please contact your insurance company to verify if your plan offers a benefit for occupation therapy, speech therapy, or ABA services. Prior to intake, our team will work with you to verify benefits and obtain prior authorization for services. 

School-based therapists are considered a "related service." Their job is to observe and assess a child to determine their needs in order to best access their education. Therapists may use direct treatment and pull the child out of the classroom, push inside the classroom by providing equipment for the student to 

access, or therapists may consult with an educator in the classroom to better accommodate the student. School based therapy uses an educational model that focuses on education and academic performance and is governed by the Individuals with Disabilities and Education Act (IDEA). School-based therapy goals are specifically related to assisting the student better access their education. In contrast, Starfish Youth Therapy Center provides outpatient, clinic-based therapy using a medical model that focuses on working with the diagnoses prescribed by a doctor and often directed by insurance. Our therapists help children access and participate in activities in the home, community, and any other environment a child may find themselves. Goals are functional and based around the activities and environments specific to the child, not necessarily tied to their education. Goals are individualized based on the child's needs and family's priorities. Children are able to receive school and outpatient therapies in conjunction with each other. A child may qualify for services in an outpatient setting, but not in school, and visa versa.