When Karma Campbell’s son was diagnosed with autism, the list of next steps seemed endless. But first, where to find a developmental pediatrician and how to start early intervention?
Even getting to an autism diagnosis for her young son was a challenge for Karma. And just when she thought she could take a breath, she was faced with the fragmented, convoluted system of accessing early intervention treatment. But one day, that experience changed when a HealthySteps Specialist joined the team at her pediatrician’s office and helped her son get the services he needed.
“Going to the pediatrician’s office upgraded once my HealthySteps Specialist started working there.
Having the right support and direction at the right time made a huge difference for us.”
– Karma
Among other things, HealthySteps Specialists refer patients, parents, and families to both in-house and community resources based on identified needs. They partner with community resource providers and families to help parents coordinate and navigate complex systems, offering close follow-up and support when referral barriers occur. This care coordination enhances families’ health literacy and systems navigation capabilities, so they become their child and family’s own best advocates.
Advocating for change
Karma is not only a fierce advocate for her son, she also speaks up to help make an impact for other families. In partnership with the HealthySteps National Office, Karma joined other early childhood advocates to talk to New Jersey legislators about the importance of focusing on infant and early childhood mental health and implementing policies and programs, like HealthySteps, that can help set babies and their families up for success.
Karma’s advocacy was a key part of efforts to pass legislation that improves access to preventive behavioral health services for children, including HealthySteps. It allows preventive services such as counseling, family guidance, education, and brief interventions to be billed to Medicaid and state-regulated commercial health plans using at-risk screening, without requiring a formal psychiatric diagnosis.
Continued support, continued progress
Karma and her son continue to work with HealthySteps. Recently, when Karma explained he was showing some new behaviors that were challenging, sometimes leading him to harm himself or others, the HealthySteps Specialist suggested it was time for a follow-up appointment with a developmental specialist, which allowed them to get an ADHD diagnosis and establish a treatment plan.
“What I like most about HealthySteps is having someone at the pediatrician’s office looking out for my family’s best interests.
The communication and the amount of support we’ve received is heartwarming.”
– Karma
Thanks to Karma’s advocacy for her son and the support of HealthySteps, he’s grown into an energetic kid who loves playing with cars and balls and loves eating everything and anything that doesn’t belong in his mouth!
Today, Karma finds joy in the small moments, from the way he cups her chin to show he wants to cuddle, to the way he smiles at her. The everyday reminders of how far they’ve come together.
