Autism Services
DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM
The Child Study Center (CSC) provides diagnosis and treatment services to children who have, or are at risk for, developmental disabilities and related behavioral and emotional problems so that these children may achieve their full potential. Autism Services is one of the clinical programs at the CSC, and provides behavioral treatment to children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The treatments provided in Autism Services are based on the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), which involves the application of scientifically-tested behavioral principles and procedures to address issues that are socially important. ABA also involves continuous evaluation of treatment progress and clinical decision making based on direct observation data. ABA is the only treatment approach with rigorous scientific evidence to support its effectiveness as both comprehensive and focused treatment for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Our tutors, most of whom have earned a bachelor’s degree, implement one-to-one treatment under the close supervision of four Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs). One of the behavior analysts, Dr. Einar Ingvarsson, has a doctoral degree in behavioral psychology and works in a joint position between the University of North Texas and the Child Study Center. The other three behavior analysts have a master’s degree in behavior analysis from the University of North Texas and years of experience working with children with autism.
Our program provides whole-day services (9:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.), and children’s attendance ranges from 1 to 5 days per week. When children are initially admitted to the program, they undergo a comprehensive skill assessment based on our curriculum. We then use the assessment results to guide the selection of individualized treatment goals.
Each child’s instruction typically consists of discrete trial teaching, as well as incidental teaching and other naturalistic intervention approaches. We emphasize rapport between tutors and children. We frequently collaborate with the Child Study Center’s Jane Justin School in gradually transitioning children to environments with lower teacher-to-student ratio.
Our program is partially funded by the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). To be eligible for the DARS program, a child must (1) have a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder, (2) be a Texas resident, and (3) be between the ages of 3 and 8 (children lose eligibility on their ninth birthday). We also serve children who do not meet the above three criteria. However, the treatment for these children will not be subsidized by DARS.
INTERVENTION GOALS
The overarching goal of our program is to increase desirable behavior and to decrease problem behavior. Through these changes, we aim to bring about an improvement in all important areas of the child’s functioning. These include, but are not limited to, communication, social skills, academic skills, leisure skills, and self-help skills (e.g., using the toilet, eating). We place specific emphasis on teaching children appropriate ways of requesting preferred items and activities, and rejecting nonpreferred items and activities (i.e., mand training). Incidental mand training provides the context for expanding on the children’s language complexity. Higher-functioning children receive instruction in reading, math, and other academic skills.
Other areas of emphasis include food selectivity (picky eating), compliance with grooming and physical care routines (e.g., clipping fingernails, getting a haircut), toilet training, dressing and other self-help skills, and reduction of stereotypy and other problem behavior (e.g., tantrums, aggression). With children that are likely to need continued support throughout their life-span, targeting self-help skills becomes especially important. We also include social skills groups for children, in which the children learn to interact appropriately with peers in the context of games and other activities.
RESOURCES
DARS Autism Program: http://www.dars.state.tx.us/stakeholders/autism/index.shtml
Texas Association for Behavior Analysis: http://www.txaba.org/
Association for Science in Autism Treatment: http://www.asatonline.org/
Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI): http://www.abainternational.org/
ABAI’s Parent Professional Partnership Special Interest Group: http://www.autismpppsig.org/
ABAI’s Autism Special Interest Group’s Consumer Guidelines: http://www.abainternational.org/Special_Interests/AutGuidelines.pdf
Behavior Analyst Certification Board: http://www.bacb.com/
Association of Professional Behavior Analysts: http://www.apbahome.net/
Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies: http://www.behavior.org/
CONTACTS
Autism Services Representative: (817) 390 – 2880, or scordova@cscfw.org
Autism Services Coordinator: (817) 390 – 2882, or mrobison@cscfw.org