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1. Do I need to be a University of Maryland student to participate in SIGNA?
No exactly. Our first priority is to have all SIGNA members be currently enrolled as University of Maryland students. However, if we have a space available for a local university or community college student, we may have them join our program on a case-by-case basis.
Please note, some members begin SIGNA as a freshman while others start later in their college years. We recommend SIGNA members begin in the fall of freshman year so that adjustment to college life runs more smoothly. |
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2. What days and times do SIGNA students meet?
First year SIGNA, SIGNA Launch, and SIGNA Odyssey (new pilot program) groups meet weekly on Fridays, mostly afternoons in LeFrak Hall on University of Maryland's campus throughout the fall and spring semesters through the Hearing and Speech Sciences Clinic. SIGNA students joining our programs MUST keep Friday afternoons from 1-5 free to participate in any of our groups in the program.
Individual times with Communication Coaches and Peer Mentors are scheduled around the members’ and coaches' schedules. Social outings with Peer Coaches are scheduled 1-2 times per month each semester at various times, but mostly weekday afternoons and evenings and, sometimes weekends. A poll is taken to see what days/times are most popular so that as many people can attend.
Individual times with Communication Coaches and Peer Mentors are scheduled around the members’ and coaches' schedules. Social outings with Peer Coaches are scheduled 1-2 times per month each semester at various times, but mostly weekday afternoons and evenings and, sometimes weekends. A poll is taken to see what days/times are most popular so that as many people can attend.
3. Do I have to pay to participate in SIGNA? If so, do you take insurance?
Yes, there is a cost to participate in SIGNA and SIGNA Launch. Please see the COST page for more information.
4. Do you take insurance?
No, we do not participate with any insurer, including Medicaid and Medicare. Payment is due at the beginning of the program. Payment plans are possible at the request of the SIGNA member. Some insurance plans may reimburse for our speech-language pathology services and we can provide a summary of the individual and group sessions attended and billing codes. We cannot guarantee that the member will be eligible for coverage or reimbursement from them. Please contact your insurance company to verify benefits and reimbursement rates. Some families use their Flexible Spending Account benefits to cover the out-of-pocket health care costs.
Additionally, families with Maryland State Department of Rehabilitative Services (DORS) can apply for funding. It has been shared by DORS administrators that, "Decisions about provision of funding will be made on a case by case basis, and so funding may not always be provided in every case. In order to include a service on a plan for employment, the service must be needed for the achievement of the employment goal. Case by case, we will consider whether the program requested is needed as a disability support to succeed in the degree program, or needed to succeed in employment in the agreed upon career field."
NOTE: The Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences (in which SIGNA is a part of) has recently been added as a DORS vendor.
Here click to be directed to the DORS website:
dors.maryland.gov/consumers/specialized/Pages/autism.aspx
5. What is included in the fees?
SIGNA members receive:
- Initial assessment for goal planning, goals/objectives development, and progress reports provided both at the end of the fall and spring semesters.
- Weekly two, individual sessions (or 1 individual + 1 dyad session depending on what would benefit the student best). These coaching sessions can also be both in-person or a hybrid combination of in-person + telehealth.
- Weekly group sessions
- Weekly Peer Mentor check ins (first years only or case-by-case for additional years depending on need at an additional cost)
- Extracurricular activities (social outings, professional development)
Extracurricular activities
- Each semester, 3-4 social and professional events will be planned with the SIGNA members and Peer Coaches. Peer Mentors and other UMD college students may join these social events as well. Participation in these events (as schedules permit) is strongly encouraged as this allows the member to develop friendships, practice newly-learned skills and to stay connected with other college students.
6. How do I register for SIGNA?
The prospective SIGNA member will need to fill out a SIGNA application/case history form with the Department of Hearing and Speech Clinic. To receive the form, please email [email protected].
7. Can I be a part of SIGNA if I do not have autism?
Yes, we do accept students who would like to be a part of SIGNA who do not have autism. Anyone who has indicated and demonstrated difficulties with social interaction, executive functioning, conflict resolution, and/or self-advocacy skills is able to participate in the SIGNA programs.
