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Autism affects one in 68 children in the United States. While there is controversy surrounding the cause of autism, understanding what it is and what treatment options are available will greatly aid autism families on the bumpy road.
What is autism?
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in communication, social interaction and repetitive or stereotyped behaviors and interests. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) varies greatly in the symptoms that each individual experiences, which is why it is referred to as a “spectrum”.
Some individuals are completely nonverbal, while others are verbal, but struggle to communicate effectively. Many children with autism also struggle with behaviors such as aggression and self-injury, sensory difficulties and difficulty regulating their emotions.
While there is no cure for autism, early intervention treatment can help children with autism develop better long-term outcomes in language, cognitive abilities, social skills and adaptive daily living skills.
What to look for in a treatment center
It is always best to talk to treatment centers in person for an evaluation, but here are some baseline prerequisites to look for in an autism treatment center:
- Qualified staff. Qualification goes beyond education and training, which is always important. It also entails patience and love.
- Student-teacher ratio. The lower the ratio (i.e. 1:1 or 2:1) the more attention a child will receive.
- Personalized curriculums. Each child is different so why teach them the same way? Staff must be capable of adapting programs to a child’s unique needs.
- Parent training. Teaching parents how to provide treatment at home will supplement what a child is learning the classroom.
What early intervention treatments are available in Utah?
The Carmen B. Pingree Autism Center of Learning provides comprehensive treatment, education and related services for children with autism and their families. Currently, they offer three programs with student-teacher ratio of 2-to-1 and one at-home service:
- Preschool (ages 2 through 5)
- Elementary (grades K-6)
- Adolescent (grades 7-12)
- At-home (all ages)
The at-home program is intended to help get services to families who are on a waitlist and need to get critical treatment to their child immediately. Families will be trained to use and implement the web-based curriculum to help their child make progress in their own home.
It can also be helpful as an at-home supplement to school or day treatment programs.
For more information on the Carmen B. Pingree Autism Center of Learning, visit carmenbpingree.com or call (801) 581-0194.
