Programs

Education Outreach

For students with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) time spent in school may be the most developmentally influential experience of their lives, especially during their early years. Maximizing the time we have with children who have autism is an essential part of autism intervention and part of that effort includes ensuring that they receive the highest quality educational services possible.

Behavioral support and assessment

SARRC provides detailed behavioral assessments, including Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs), to determine the functions of problematic behaviors that guide the construction of comprehensive behavior support plans. We also provide intervention implementation training and on-going support for behavior plans that are developed through the assessment process.

Staff training

SARRC provides in-service/workshop training for teachers, therapists, paraprofessionals, administrators and others. Workshops are designed to give participants a wide range of training that is specific to working with children with ASDs and issues relevant to autism, education, parent training, and best practices in treatment.

Educational consultation and inclusion support

This program is designed to give individual student, classwide, and/or school-wide educational and behavioral support and programming. Consultation utilizes direct student observation, teacher training, interviews, functional assessment, curriculum modification and data collection procedures to support students in the least restrictive environment.

Social skills evaluation and support

This program offers social skills assessment, evaluation, and programming in a variety of social contexts. SARRC also offers inclusive community based after-school and summertime social skills programming for students with ASD.

Community-based social support programs

SARRC is implementing after school and summer community- based programs that integrate children with ASDs into pre-existing community-based programs with typically developing peers. The goal is to provide children with ASDs opportunities to form friendships while educating the community on how to support and accept them.

Summertime Fun

Provides individuals with ASDs and their typically developing peers ages 6-9 and 10-14 with a fun summertime experience. It incorporates age-appropriate games that focus on developing social skills and facilitating peer interactions.

Kemper & Ethel Marley Arts and Culture Program

The Kemper and Ethel Marley Arts and Culture Program for Exceptional Children blends artistic experiences with therapeutic autism intervention techniques. It utilizes art to promote autism awareness.

FRIEND Program

This peer sensitivity training for preschool-12^th grade students provides increased awareness of ASDs among students and faculty, and also creates supportive opportunities for children with ASDs to interact appropriately with typical peers. Innovative materials including the F.R.I.E.N.D. manual, children's book Wings of Epoh, DVDs, an educator activity guide, and informational tips can be used for peer sensitivity training to promote awareness of ASD, social differences, and appropriate strategies for facilitating social interactions for school age students.

Contact Information:

Director of School Consultation Services
Joseph A. Gentry, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
602.218.8177
jgentry@autismcenter.org

Director of Education and Training
Sheri Dolin, M.A.
602.218.8168
sdollin@autismcenter.org