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Behavior Modification:

Behavior Modification is an integral part of healing the child with autism. Our highly trained teachers and therapists provide intensive instruction using the methods of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Applied in a comprehensive, intensive, and sustained way, we carefully plan learning opportunities for children and reinforce desired behaviors at a high rate. Each behavioral intervention is highly individualized and tailored to each child's current levels of functioning and projected future. Because parental involvement is a crucial component of effective behavior changes, we provide opportunities for parents to learn and practice ABA interventions during therapy.

Early behavioral intervention greatly improves language, social skills, play, self-help, and problematic behavior such as tantrums, stereotypic and ritualistic responding, withdrawl, self-injury and aggression. Successful integration into standard schools is another positive effect that is well supported by data. Children with autism respond very well to repeated active interaction with therapists.

The optimal age to begin intensive behavioral intervention is before the age of 5. So far the best outcomes have been reported for children who started treatment at age 2 or 3 for 40 hours per week. (Lovaas 1987)

Cognitive Training & Educational Therapy:

Mathematics
Mathematics is taught through Literature based instruction. This is a creative new way to teach math. By using interesting, fun-filled stories with concepts such as "big, bigger, and biggest," we teach: weight, money, time, fractions, numerals and more. Unifix cubes are used to help children match cubes to numerical expressions. Other math manipulatives are used for sorting, counting, coin discrimination, problem solving, number recognition, basic number facts, sequencing and more!

Textured, tactile shapes of numbers and interlocking magnetic numbers are used to help children outline each number to reinforce recognition, formation and shape. Students also compare color, texture and shape with pattern block activities. Abstract math concepts become real to students when they touch, count compare, stack, sort and group...

Reading & Writing
Reading and Writing are also taught through a Literature Based Approach! Fun filled stories are used to discriminate sight words, build meaning from new words and enhance phonological awareness. Flash cards are used as a simple and fun way to build up vocabulary and develop word and image recognition. Hands on activities help children practice handwriting skills. Letter grove manipulations and modified pencil grips are used to help the child acquire more controlled motor skills and to help form letters correctly. Teachers use magnetic and tactile letters for multi-sensory fun that teaches writing in a kinesthetic way. Desk tapes, and modified handwriting paper also assist the child with limited fine motor skills...

Arts & Crafts
Children get a real taste of the Arts! Motor skills are enhanced through several types of painting! We use washable paint, easy grip beginners paint brushes, giant washable color ink pads, giant picture stampers, alphabet stampers, super stencils, and finger paints- and that's just the beginning!

We also use finger tip painters, so children can paint colorful swirls and draw playful shapes. We stamp out amazing patterns, outline pictures and more! We use sponge-painting bowls, sponge paint designs- with easy grip beginner sponge patterns and jumbo glitter painters. Come join a fun-filled field trip to the park where we get real messy and we have a lot of FUN...

Eye-Hand Coordination & Fine/Gross Motor Skills
Everyone has a great time when they build texture structures and vehicles using interlocking blocks, primary color building blocks, wood blocks and legos. Other hands on manipulatives such as: puzzles, pegboards, attribute lacing buttons and plastic beads help children build the necessary eye-hand coordination skills as well as build fine motor skills.

Giant activity balls, and heavy duty vinyl kangaroo jumping balls are used to build large muscle strength and balance. Specially designed soft balls, special texture balls and all sized utility balls are used to practice gripping, throwing, catching, kicking and bouncing and to enhance gross motor skills.

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