Introduction

The Autism Outreach program was intiated in October, 2008, in response to the needs of children and adolescents with Autism.  The outreach program provides individualized quality “Applied Behavior Analysis”  or ABA  services to families with children with autism and other developmental disabilities.  Our goal is to provide clear-cut learning opportunities for children to become successful in their lives, at school and at home.   This program is in the pilot, or beginning phase, and spots are very limited.  As we are getting the program started, we will target young children with the intention of expanding the program to serve adolescents. Services will be available both at  Andrews Center and in the home and school environments, depending on the needs of the child and the family. *ABA is an approved Individual Service Plan reimbursable  treatment for children and adults currently enrolled in Home and Community Based Services.  (HCS).  If your child is enrolled in HCS and you feel that he or she would benefit from ABA, contact your HCS caseworker.

 

Program goals: In addition to expanding the number of children served in outreach services, it is the goal of Andrews Center to eventually expand services to children on the Pervasive Development Disorders Spectrum (PDD) to include a day treatment/educational program.  If you are interested in this program, or if you know someone who might benefit from the program, please email Alison Sterken at asterken@andrewscenter.com or call her at 903-535-7419.  Information will be available and a waiting list for services will be maintained.

 

What is Applied Behavioral Analysis?

Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is a scientific method that has been proven to be the most effective treatment for people with Autism and other pervasive developmental disabilities.   With ABA, the therapist, parent or teacher uses a series of specific steps while interacting with the child,   to help the child adjust and adapt  to different situations and to interact with others at home and at school in a positive way.

 

More specifically...

• ABA is a structured one-on-one program which relies almost entirely upon meaningful, individualized rewards for specific, identified behaviors. ABA uses reinforcers that the child like’s best, rather than a cookie cutter reinforcer.
• Therapists who provide ABA are trained and certified to provide therapy.
• ABA therapy includes benchmarks for success, and evaluates results based on individualized goals.

Why is Applied behavioral Analysis effective with children and adolescents with autism?

ABA uses pure positive reinforcement - a way all of us learn. A child with autism needs this type of intensive attention - or even more intensive attention coupled with individualized reinforcers - to learn very simple concepts like "on" and "in." But the good news is that if this is done properly then the child often will learn how to learn faster and with fewer and fewer "unnatural" interventions. There is simply no shortcut, no "natural" alternative. Just as infants cannot go to Kindergarten, so cannot children with autism "just learn" at their chronological age level. They must be led through the proper language, play, and social developmental sequence, not moving ahead until they have mastered each step.

 

Who provides the services?

Andrews Center contracts with Board Certified Behavior Analysts and Board Certified Associate Behavior Analysts who work one on one with the consumers. 

 

What services are included in ABA?

• Functional behavioral Assessments conducted over 1-3 days, and including behavioral and language evaluations and training for staff and parents on teaching and taking data on targeted skills. 
• Behavior Intervention plans
• Inclusive individualized reports following each full day assessment
• Monthly or quarterly follow-up on consultations. 
• Therapy: targeting language and articulation, behaviors, play and socialization, academics and self -help skills.
• Service coordination to assist people in accessing medical, social, educational, and other appropriate services and supports that will help the individual to achieve a quality of life and community participation acceptable to the individual.

How do I refer a child for services?

 

There are several ways...

 

1) Download the referral  from the Andrews Center website, complete it and fax it to 903-535-7388 drop it by or  mail to 2323 West Front, Tyler, Texas 75702, or P.O. Box 4730, Tyler, Texas 75712

 

Autism Referral Form Checklist

Autism Referral Form

 

2)  Phone Andrews Center. at 903-597-1351, ext 419 and request a form.  We will mail it to the address of your choice and you can return it using the steps outlined above.

 

The Advisory Committee

The Autism Outreach Advisory Committee was formed in September of 2008 to assist  Andrews Center in the development, implementation, and monitoring of services.  Members include psychologists, case managers, QMRP’s, parents of children with autism, representatives from local school districts, and advocates. The committee is charged with the responsibility for reviewing referrals and determining the order of service for referred individuals.

 

Spots are limited. A waiting list will be maintained for individuals who are determined to be appropriate for services.