STAR of CA

Autism Society of Santa Barbara 2012 Surf and Beach Day! Saturday, August 11 starting 9:30 am at Campus Point! RSVP@ASASB.org

What to Expect from Your Child with Autism's Experience with a Peer Mentor

Children with autism may experience difficulties in communicating and socializing with their peers. As a result, they can become frustrated, withdrawn, and less likely to attempt interaction with others in the future. However, many autism treatment facilities now offer peer mentorship programs that aim to improve the social skills of children with autism by implementing peer intervention.

• Caring Mentors

Individuals selected as peer mentors are carefully chosen and undergo extensive training before being paired with a child with autism. Each peer mentor is taught how to better understand the challenges of autism spectrum disorder. They also learn how to be a good friend to a child with autism. Then, the matching process begins.

• Social Activities

Once the peer mentors and their partners are paired up, they both get to experience six weeks of stimulating and socially minded activities and events. The peer mentors function to encourage their new friends to interact and engage with those around them. During this time together, children with autism develop their communication and sportsmanship capabilities. At the end of the six weeks, peer mentors and their partners go on a field trip that incorporates all that has been taught over the course of the program. The program organizers refer to this final event as a generalization activity.

• Parent Participation

Parents of children with autism are prompted to participate in this highly effective program. They are taught how to aid social interactions between their children and others during education sessions and role-playing activities. Caregivers then accompany their children during the trip field to act as intervention facilitators.

• Positive results

Though other forms of autism treatment can produce positive results for patients, peer mentorship programs are vital in assimilating children with autism into their peer social structure and enabling them to effectively interact with those of the same age. This program also functions to minimize trauma that may have occurred from past negative situations. Instead, these new positive experiences can reinforce a child with autism’s desire to engage with others.

STAR California provides autism treatment options for families living in the greater Los Angeles, Orange County, and Ventura areas. If you have a child with autism and would like to speak with one of our autism specialists, call us at (805) 624-6982.

Make Expressing Emotions Easier with the AutismXpress App

Children with autism may find it difficult to articulate their emotions to others, which can cause considerable frustration. However, many parents are finding that certain social media technologies can help their child with autism to more effectively convey feelings. If approved for usage by an autism therapy specialist, applications such as AutismXpress can improve exchange between a child with autism and family or friends.

AutismXpress allows children with autism to both recognize visual indicators of emotion and express their feelings to others. Its simple and easy-to-use interface affords children with autism the opportunity to select an image that represents their current emotions and communicate that feeling to whomever they are engaging. Over time, children with autism will be better able to express their own feelings and distinguish those of others.

With several locations across the greater Los Angeles area, STAR California provides autism treatment resources for children with autism. To learn more about our services, call us at (805) 624-6982.

5 Things Parents Should Know About Pivotal Response Treatment

Among the many autism treatment options available to children with autism is Pivotal Response Treatment, or PRT. Developed more than 30 years ago as a therapy method for children with autism, PRT improves a wide range of developmental and behavioral issues rather than focusing on a sole symptom of autism.

1. PRT is a form of applied behavior analysis. PRT was developed as a type of applied behavior analysis treatment. Behavior analysis is a scientifically validated approach to constructively shaping a patient’s conduct and communication with others through environmental stimulation and positive reinforcement.
2. PRT is based on play and having fun. Part of PRT’s effectiveness lies in its inconspicuous therapy method. The autism specialist conducts each session as if it were playtime for the child. Moreover, children with autism who receive PRT are allowed to make choices regarding what they want to do, thus allowing them to exercise initiative and improve decision-making skills.
3. PRT can improve communication, language proficiency, and social skills. The autism specialist continually engages the child during each PRT session. This affords the child an opportunity to strengthen his or her language and communication skills. Also, this constant interaction between specialist and child works to improve the patient’s social skills.
4. PRT can alleviate disruptive self-stimulatory behavior. Because each PRT session involves the recurrent interaction between autism specialist and child, the patient cannot engage in disruptive behaviors common to children with autism. As the specialist demands his or her constant attention, the child becomes more focused on the environment and less prone to self-stimulatory activities.
5. PRT isn’t only for young children with autism. Though PRT is a highly effective therapy option for young children with autism spectrum disorder, it can benefit individuals of all ages. If you have an older child or teenager with autism, consult an autism specialist to see if PRT is a viable option for your family.

STAR California provides autism treatment options such as PRT to families who live in the greater Los Angeles area. Call us today at (805) 624-6982 to speak with one of our autism specialists.

Autism Society of SB announces TCRC is considering covering co-pays for families receiving ABA Therapy through insurance!