The Autism Program
A California State-certified Nonpublic Agency
Pacific Child and Family Associates is dedicated to providing the highest quality services to children with developmental disabilities, particularly those along the autism spectrum.
All of our services are based on a foundation of respect for the dignity of the child, and we strive to create a positive, loving atmosphere. We work collaboratively with the family,
and consider the family both team members and co-therapists whenever possible.
Our methods are grounded in an appreciation for the most current research. Working from within the broad spectrum of applied behavior analytic techniques, we will employ empirically
validated approaches as needed by the individual. As an essential component to our collaborative approach, we foster cooperation between service providers, funding sources and other
agencies.
The Details
Our services begin with a review of previous assessments. This includes medical diagnostic evaluations, assessments performed by psychologists, speech and language therapists, IEPs,
Regional Centers, or school district personnel. When prior assessments appear inadequate, we will recommend the assessments needed prior to our implementing services, or if our
services appear beneficial, we will conduct our own assessment as an integral part of the beginning phase of treatment.
We will also be happy to review any prior services delivered, and continue a program begun by another provider if the methods and philosophy are similar.
Programs will often start with a compliance phase, in which children learn the most basic skills required to learn and to benefit from further interventions. Discrete trial methods
are primarily methods designed to teach children to acquire skills, as well as to learn how to learn. Complex skills are broken down into their smallest components, and our therapists
patiently teach these component skills to our children using reinforcements that are meaningful to each child. While reinforcers vary, they typically include lots of warmth, praise,
and other social reinforcers. As children master each individual step, they experience success and move along to the next step in the curriculum. Each step is based on successfully
completing the previous steps, although we often carefully re-introduce previously mastered steps in order for children to sustain the growth that they have made (and continue feeling
successful).
The curriculum includes skills required for success in school, social relationships, and the acquisition of language. There is also an emphasis placed on self-help skills. Time spent
at the table is punctuated by plenty of breaks in which children play, and are given opportunities to express themselves freely and in the context of a kind, supportive environment.
Generalization of skills learned at the table is built into the discrete trial curriculum, and is assured in a variety of ways.
Shadow Aides
We also provide one-on-one shadow aides in the classroom setting. While discrete trial approaches mentioned above are excellent for developing skills and generalizing them to as many
social spheres as possible, our ultimate goal is to return a child to as normative (least restrictive) an environment as possible. This often requires an aide to help a child adjust
to the demands of a classroom environment. Aides work with specific academic and behavioral goals, keep logs of progress, and work in collaboration with services provided in the home.
Families who receive our services may also be eligible to receive supportive individual counseling, parent training and attend support groups.
If you would like more information about our physical locations, please visit our contacts page, and if you are interest in services outside of California,
please visit our remote services page. If you are interested in our associated school site in Armenia, please visit their website at www.aicdc.am.
If you would like more information on our principals and staff, please read the About Us page.
News Link:
|
