Services
The Center for Autism offers Intensive Behavior Analysis Services. Behavior Analysis aims to improve socially significant behavior of individuals through the application of behavior principles. While the techniques used with each student vary, all techniques used by The Center for Autism Education are based on decades of scientific research showing them to be effective. Our goal is to decrease challenging behaviors while increasing learning behaviors. In addition, The Center for Autism Education provides the following services:

   Intensive Behavior Therapy
   Occupational Therapy
   Speech Language Therapy
   Adapted Art
   Adapted Music
   Discrete Trial Teaching
   Intensive Social Skills Instruction
   Community Integration
   Integrated Work Experiences

All students receive "One-on-One" instruction throughout the entire day and each class has no more than 2 or 3 students at a time. Students attend Monday through Friday from 8:30-3:00 and 8:30 to 11:45 on Wednesdays. This allows the staff to meet each week for training in order to provide the highest quality of programs. The school is in session year round with breaks throughout the year.

Applied Behavior Analyst (ABA)
Although the tremendous increase in popularity of ABA is recent, ABA is not a new science. ABA is based upon more than 50 years of scientific investigation with individuals affected by a wide range of behavioral and developmental disorders. The research has been shown to be effective in reducing disruptive behaviors typically observed in children with autism and other developmental disabilities. ABA has shown to be effective in teaching skill deficits such as complex communication, academics, social, play and self-help skills. At The Center for Autism Education, ABA methodology is embedded throughout the students’ individualized academic and functional curriculum. The staff at The Center is trained in the strategies that are supported by the principles of ABA. The Center for Autism has three licensed Board Certified Behavior Analysts as well as two licensed Board Certified Associate Behavior Analysts on staff. Our certified special education teachers are also highly trained in the area of ABA.

Speech
What is the Purpose of Speech-Language Therapy?
Speech-language therapy enhances intentional communication through the expression of ideas, obtaining desired outcomes, sharing information and interactions with others. Language is the means by which communication is achieved.
The Speech-language Department focuses on teaching the child what he/she needs in the way of understanding what is needed for them to communicate to others in the most effective way in order to achieve their desired outcomes.   The verbal language, facial/manual gestures, tone of voice, body orientation, and social skills are some of the areas we look at for the use of effective language communication.
For a child who is not yet using verbal language, he/she is taught other means of communication such as eye contact, facial expressions, sign language for their immediate needs, vocalizations, and/or how to use manual tools such as communication pictures (PECS) or augmentative communication boards.

Oral-motor skills are also addressed within speech and language.  Speech-language Department teaches the necessary skills for proper sound production, provide interventions to improve oral motor coordination, strength, movement and placement of the lips, tongue, jaw and cheeks to foster the understanding of how the mouth works for oral communication.

Occupational Therapy (O.T.)
When referring to occupational therapy, the term occupation simply means everyday activities people need or want to do to function within their environment (home, community, school, or job).   Some examples for a child would be self-care skills (brushing teeth, buttoning or zipping clothes, making a snack, doing household chores), functional skills (writing, cutting, gluing, computer skills), social skills (playing with friends on the playground, participating in a team sport or game, making a purchase at a store, ordering from a menu at a restaurant), leisure skills (a favorite hobby or skill).   Goals that are addressed in the student’s IEP, emphasize for the student to be as independent as possible.
Just as a student needs food throughout the course of a day, the need for sensory input must also be met.   A “sensory diet” is designed to provide a personalized activity plan that gives sensory input to help a student to stay focused and organized throughout the day.   Each student here at the Center, has a unique set of sensory needs.   Generally, a student whose nervous system is on “high” (wired) needs more calming input, while a student who is more “low” (sluggish) needs more arousing input.   The Therapy Department, evaluates the students to develop a good sensory diet and educate the staff on how to implement it.  The effects of a sensory diet are usually immediate and cumulative.   Activities that perk up the student or calm him down are not only effective in the moment, they actually help to restructure the student’s nervous system over time so that he is better able to: tolerate sensations and situations he finds challenging, regulate alertness and increase attention span, limit sensory seeking and sensory avoiding behaviors, and handle transitions with less stress.

Physical Therapy (P.T.)
At The Center for Autism Education provides education for staff and parents on gross motor skills and facilitates progression for participation in Adaptive PE.  The therapist guides the staff and students with activities that promote students to improve their ball skills, balance, strength, endurance, turn taking, and playing sports with their peers. 

Services:

S.T.A.R. Club
Social Training for Asperger’s in the Real World
Time: 4:00p.m.-5:45p.m. Every Tuesday
Cost:  $25 (includes community trips and snacks)
Location: The Center for Autism Education
STAR is a club designed for children and adolescents with  high functional Autism Spectrum Disorders. The program teaches social skills, provides community integration, as well as opportunities to build friendships and have fun at the same time!

STAR Club will provide the following

• Coping Skills
• Self-Monitoring of Behavior
• Intensive Social Skills Instruction
• Instruction in Theory of Mind
• Community Integration
• Behavior mapping, social scripting, comic strip conversation and social stories
• And much more!

Contact Stefanie Treadway for more information. E-mail: Stefanie@teachautism.org

School Consultation
CAE provides many schools in Missouri with on-site consultation. These services include functional assessments, behavior consultation, and assistance in program development for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders. We also work with students with other developmental disabilities who have severe and challenging behaviors. We provide both on-going consultation either weekly or monthly and can also provide consultation on an as needed basis. Each visit includes a 3-6 hour observation, a written report with recommendations and a follow-up visit to train staff to use the recommended interventions.

CAE also specializes in teaching school personnel how to set-up and implement ABA programs using discrete trial teaching in the classroom. We offer training, hands-on practice, and evaluation of staff in order for schools to set-up programs within the classroom that are consistent with IEP goals and with home programs.

District Training
The Center offers training to individual school districts for both teachers and paraprofessionals. We can provide training on many topics including:
"Understanding Autism and Asperger's Syndrome"
"Strategies for Challenging Behaviors"
"Social Skills Instruction"
"The Explosive Child--The Collaborative Problem Solving Approach"
"Discrete Trial Teaching for the Classroom"
We provide training several times a year in our area. We can also come to your district.
Call (636) 978-7785 to set-up a training session for your district.

Autism, Asperger’s and Behavior Trainings 2011
Training is available throughout the year. Please check back in the Spring for the dates.

Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders
Diagnosing Autism, Educational vs. Medical Autism, Defining Characteristics of Autism, Language Supports and Sensory Supports

Strategies for Challenging Behaviors
Functional Behavior Assessment, Tools for Completing and FBA, Behavior Strategies, Visual Based Strategies, Reinforcement Based Strategies, Functional Communication Training, Differential Reinforcement, Strategies for Behavior Reduction

The Explosive Child-Strategies for Children With Asperger’s and Behavior Disorders
Understanding tantrums vs. meltdowns, Reasons why kids have Explosive Behavior, Effective Strategies for Explosive Behavior, Using the Collaborative Problem Solving Approach, Understanding Bi-Polar and Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Supporting Children with Asperger’s at home and at school.