Our Treatment Philosophy

Our treatment philosophy places value on the combined knowledge of typical child development and the principles of learning.  Particular emphasis is placed on addressing the core symptoms of autism: social/emotional development and communication/ language development.  To work on these symptoms most effectively, we rely on both child development research and behavior analytic research and findings to create individual program plans for our children.  We use the principles of applied behavior analysis to understand behavior, and we arrange the environment to evoke skill acquisition.  Developmentally, the most important skill we target is that of finding value in social relationships.  We see positive, reciprocal relationships as the basis for teaching all other communicative, social, play, and academic skills.

Other pivotal skills on which we focus include imitation and responding to environmental and social cues, the acquisition of which leads to a more meaningful involvement in one’s community.  We strive to help children gain the skills they need to participate in their communities to the fullest extent possible and with the greatest degree of independence.

Part of the Center’s mission is to empower parents to become competent leaders and advocates for their child’s intervention through parent training, parent meetings, and parental involvement in program development.