The Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) at Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland will be hosting a series of monthly informational sessions in the coming months. The STAR (Sharing Treatment and Autism Resources) sessions are free to parents of children on the autism spectrum and autism professionals.

2011 STAR Schedule at Card at Kennedy Krieger

• Wednesday, January 11, 2012 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM: Sleep and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Presented by: Dr. Jennifer Accardo. Sleep problems are common in typically developing children, and even more common in children with autism. Children with autism often face more challenges with sleep than their peers. Learn more about sleep disorders and how they can affect children with autism in this session.

• Wednesday, February 15, 2012 from 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Making Sense of Autism Interventions. Presented by: Paula Danquah-Brobby, MS, BCBA. The presentation will cover and explain commonly used/implemented, evidence-based autism interventions (e.g., Discrete Trial Teaching, Pivotal Response Treatment, Structured Teaching, Floor Time, etc.).

• Wednesday, March 14, 2012 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM: Social Skills Intervention for High-Functioning School-Aged Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Presented by: Drs. Amy Keefer and Amanda Santanello, with Sean Logie. This presentation will include information on interventions used to improve social interaction skills in high-functioning school-aged children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders.

• Monday, March 19th, 2012 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM: Getting an Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis: Where do I go from here? Presented by: Cathy Groschan, LCSW-C, Clinical Social Worker. This is an introductory training for parents.

For more information or to register for one of these free events, visit the CARD at Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Eventbrite page.

The following press release may be of interest to readers in Indiana.

New Hope for Children With Autism in Indianapolis

Bierman ABA is proud to announce the opening of its new clinic for providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy to children with autism. After three years setting up home programs for children with autism, Bierman ABA has expanded to a clinic in Carmel, IN. The new location will serve families in Indianapolis and surrounding areas.

The new clinic has individual therapy rooms, a play area and a lunch room that can accommodate up to 20 children.

Autism affects 1 out of 110 children and is on the rise. According to the Surgeon General, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the most effective research based treatment for autism. ABA therapy aims to increase social and communication skills and reduce unwanted behavior.

Many insurance companies cover ABA therapy and the clinic has added a billing department to handle claims and coverage.

For more information, contact the center at (317) 660-1301.

Rethink Autism Helps Families of Children with Autism Participate in Halloween Activities

How does a family with a child on the autism spectrum participate in Halloween activities? That question is pondered by more families than ever before. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that an average of 1 in 110 children in the United States has an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Can a parent prepare their child for the necessary social interactions with neighbors and other children? Children with autism often have difficulty participating in social events, especially one like Halloween that has the added challenge of wearing costumes. One company that is helping families overcome such issues this Halloween is Rethink Autism.

As part of its commitment to the autism community, Rethink Autism has drawn from its library of video lessons to provide an entertaining, free online video with tips on how to prepare a child with autism for typical Halloween-related social interactions.

Rethink Autism’s curriculum spans the entire autism spectrum and covers a broad range of skills, including academic, language, social, motor, daily living, and behavior management. All video lessons are consistent with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) methodology. Endorsed by the US Surgeon General and the American Academy of Pediatrics, ABA is the only treatment for autism that has been consistently validated by independent scientific research.

Parents are discovering that they can now easily apply the latest research to help their child learn at home. When using the Rethink Autism platform, a parent assesses the child by filling out a skills checklist, and the program then formulates an individualized ABA-based learning plan for the child. Each lesson plan includes several step-by-step videos that show ABA therapists working with a child with autism, so that parents know how to teach their children specific skills.

Brain Balance™ Centers of Atlanta, GA (Peachtree City, Suwanee, Roswell) Offer an Established Program to Help Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

With the autism epidemic on the rise, Brain Balance™ Centers of Peachtree City & Suwanee, GA have implemented the groundbreaking Pre-Brain Balance Program™ to help children diagnosed with mild, moderate and severe autism spectrum disorders and reactive detachment disorders. The program is designed to improve children’s listening comprehension, motor skills, core elements and verbal communication.

The Pre-Brain Balance Program™ located at the Brain Balance Achievement Centers in Peachtree City and Suwanee, GA are bringing change and balance to families whose children require individual attention from people specially trained to manage mild, moderate and severe behaviors.

“Pre-Brain Balance is designed for children with a more severe brain imbalance. Pre-Brain Balance has an instructor/child ratio of 1:1 in each room, and our staff is specifically trained on how to handle the special needs of children who are on mild/moderate autism spectrum or have a Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) or Pervasive Development Disorder (PDD). “- Amanda Gunter

Amanda Gunter, the Pre-Brain Balance Program™ Program Director, received a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education from the University of Georgia and a Master’s Degree in Moderate Disabilities from Cambridge College in Cambridge, Mass. Ms. Gunter was also specially trained by the State of Georgia to work with children suffering from severe Autism Spectrum Disorder and has worked with these children for over ten years. Ms. Gunter helped DESIGN Pre-Brain Balance of Atlanta under the tutelage of Dr. Robert Melillo, Creator of the Brain Balance Program and Co-founder of the Brain Balance Centers, and with the help of Dr. Peter Scire . Ms. Gunter has been with the Brain Balance Atlanta team from inception and is currently the Center Director of the Peachtree City facility. She is passionate about seeing children reach their optimal potential physically, academically, and socially! She loves seeing families restored and children having a positive future.

“…after 2 sessions of working alongside of the Brain Balance family, our son has soared! He has become a joy to be around! He talks more, engages in family conversations on a daily basis as well as on car trips, and best of all, he even makes humorous comments appropriately. What a transformation!” -Terri Harper, Parent

The Brain Balance Program® (www.brainbalancecenters.com) is an individualized and comprehensive approach to helping children with neurobehavioral and learning difficulties surmount their unique challenges. This proprietary, non-medical program has been successful in helping hundreds of children reach their physical, social/behavioral health and academic potential. We work with children who suffer with ADD/ADHD, Dyslexia, Tourette’s, Asperger’s and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Call the Peachtree City Brain Balance Center today at 770-631-3033.

To learn more about Pre-Brain Balance programs™, parents need to reserve a space at the free parent event by calling one of the participating centers.

Behavioral Innovations, the premier provider of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services for families of children with Autism and other developmental disorders, announces the expansion of its San Antonio services to include In-home Autism Treatment programs and consultation services for schools and professionals.

“San Antonio families will now have the opportunity to work with an outstanding, gifted team of therapists led by Board Certified Behavior Analysts, some of whom are fluent in Spanish,” said Billy Edwards, Executive Director of Behavioral Innovations.

Behavioral Innovations currently offers San Antonio families center-based ABA services including full and part time day programs and assessments. Now with the expansion of its services, the company also provides multiple home-based program options as well as school and professional consultation services.

Behavioral Innovations In-Home ABA therapy program is designed to help San Antonio families that may have transportation constraints or in need of quality behavioral services in a home setting. A clinical staff member, directly overseen by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), will visit the family’s residence each week providing 4, 12, or 24 hours of therapy plus parent training, treatment planning and coordination of the In-Home ABA therapy program.

Behavioral Innovations Consulting Services are designed to provide training that will assist school systems and professionals in working with children with Autism. These services will offer much needed support to the Greater San Antonio community by helping provide the skills professionals need in order to better serve children and their families who are impacted by Autism.

“San Antonio parents need quality programs in order to ensure their children get the best treatment possible to improve their children’s quality of life and their family’s future,” said Edwards. “We are pleased to provide the finest Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services available in this community.”

In early 2010, Behavioral Innovations became the first in-network Aetna provider of ABA services, offering families the opportunity to access more affordable services. The company also became the first in-network provider for United Behavioral Healthcare and now provides in-network services for Magellan, Humana (LifeSynch) and Tricare/Humana for military families. The company may be able to provide in-network benefits for other companies on a case by case basis. The team is working diligently with additional insurance companies to gain provider status and network coverage in order to help families in the future. Families with policies out of network may seek reimbursement for covered services.

Behavioral Innovations offers complimentary tours for parents of children with Autism and other behavioral or delay disorders. All Behavioral Innovations Autism Treatment Centers and In-Home programs are designed to provide a clinical setting where children receive superior therapy services. The company is hosting a free Family Autism Fun Day for San Antonio area families at Morgan’s Wonderland from Noon – 4 p.m. on Sunday, August 29th. Advance reservations are required and may be made by contacting Behavioral Innovations.

For additional information about Behavioral Innovations, contact the company at infobehavioral-innovationscom or call 469.374.0700 or 877.750.0ABA (0222).

Marking a new chapter in the realization of life quality for those with autism and other developmental disabilities, the Training, Education & Research Institute (TERI, Inc.) today officially broke ground on construction for the Charles R. Cono Center for Research & Life Planning. Set on 20 acres in North San Diego County, the $50 million campus will directly address the crisis of a growing and aging population with autism and other developmental disabilities by providing a comprehensive array of services and support programs covering their entire lifespan in a dynamic location.

“We believe this university-like campus will be an internationally recognized resource for research, education, training and life quality – something that simply doesn’t exist today,” said Cheryl Kilmer CEO & Founder of TERI. “This is a new model for delivering the services we’ve developed over the past 30 years, and incorporating the ever-evolving programs we develop to meet the needs of our clients and their families as they age.”

The campus includes an exciting variety of state-of-the-art facilities; fitness, arts and education, life quality planning, applied research, childhood development, equestrian therapy, horticulture, culinary arts, extensive vocational training opportunities and aquatics. Through onsite and online training and vocational programs, it will serve children and adults internationally along with their families.

The first phase of construction, launched with a traditional ‘Barn Raising’ celebration featuring clients, staff, community leaders and partners, includes development of The Harriet E. Pfleger Therapeutic Equestrian Center. The Center will include six stalls, a pony parlor washroom, veterinary center, riding arena and walking trails, and picnic patio.

All aspects of the center emphasize sustainability – from its design and construction to horticultural programs and vocational training in green careers for clients. Design incorporates sensory gardens displaying original artwork, sculpture, and unique water features, and hiking trails through lush orchards. Nearly 80 percent of the grounds will be reserved for natural open spaces, providing a relaxed, therapeutic setting.

Services and programs include:

• Education: Specialized schools and vocational training.
• Caregiver and Family Education and Services: Through the International Association for Life Quality, the campus will provide life quality coach certification programs and life quality planning for families.
• Health & Fitness: A two-story, 23,000 square foot Fitness Center with stadium seating, a full gym and conditioning weight room, a dance studio, indoor sport court and indoor two-lane track. Also a 6,000 sq. ft aquatic center offering therapeutic activities in three pools, a yoga studio, sensory therapy room, spa facilities, chiropractic treatment center and juice bar.
• Culinary Education: Culinary school including a commercial kitchen, organic herb and vegetable garden and cafe which will supply healthy and nutritious meals for students, staff, and visitors.
• Arts & Adult Education: Combining music, art, fitness and recreation and vocational opportunities to reinforce basic life skills and enhance independent living skills for individuals aged 22 through retirement.
• Vocational Training: All elements of the campus will provide job training opportunities in a wide array of occupations including food service, horticulture, and administration.

The campus is named in honor of the late Charles R. Cono, a San Diego entrepreneur and philanthropist who contributed $5 million toward the center’s construction. An additional $42 million is currently being fundraised for the next five phases.

Since its inception in 1980, TERI has been implementing its programs in a variety of locations based throughout North County San Diego, serving individuals throughout San Diego County.

Source: TERI, Inc.

Judson Center (www.judsoncenter.org), a comprehensive nonprofit community resource that creates solutions to improve the lives of individuals and families, today opens the newly-constructed Autism Center at its 4410 W. 13 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, Mich. headquarters. Judson Center employees, autism advocates and families as well as local leaders and media were in attendance for the Grand Opening ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Judson Center’s new Autism Center is equipped to engage children, teens and young adults with autism with tools geared specifically to foster personal growth and independence. The Center’s features include:

— Varied-material textures to heighten sensory perception;
— Individual rooms offering specialized therapies;
— A children’s play area;
— A fully accessible kitchen and dining area; and
— A dedicated life skills area

“We are thankful to the many donors that helped us construct our new and much needed Autism Center to provide a resource to children, adults and families in southeast Michigan affected by Autism,” said Marn G. Myers, LMSW, president and CEO of Judson Center. “We need the community’s ongoing support to furnish and equip the Autism Center and to launch the educational, therapeutic and support programs that will run within it.”

A $1.2 million capital campaign to support the new brick and mortar facility and the purchase of its furnishings and equipment is currently underway. With additional funding from the community, Judson Center will offer continued enhanced services to those with autism and their families in the new Autism Center.

The new Autism Center enables participants in Judson Center’s Autism Connections program to get more out of their therapies with focused and expert care, and furthers the organization’s mission to let consumers live the best lives possible.

A new center designed to provide a variety of services to children on the autism spectrum will be holding a Grand Opening celebration on April 26, 2009. The Autism Resource Community Hub (ARCH) of Lehigh Valley is located at 1347 Hausman Road in Allentown, PA. The celebration begins on April 26 at 1:00 pm and a presentation is scheduled to start at 2:00 pm. The festivities should be over by 4:00 pm.

The Autism Resource Community Hub of the Lehigh Valley (ARCH of Lehigh Valley) will serve Lehigh County MA eligible individuals diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Initially services will be provided to an estimated 200 children and their families. Adult services will be developed in subsequent years. While Lehigh County residents will be the first priority, the ARCH of Lehigh Valley will serve eligible individuals throughout the Lehigh Valley.

A variety of services will be offered in phases. Phase 1 Services include a satellite outpatient clinic offering therapy, evaluations and assessments. Case management, an after school program, a summer program, and traditional behavioral health rehabilitation services (BHRS) programs will also be offered.

For more information, call ARCH of Lehigh Valley at (610) 573-2500