Autism Specialty Services
What Are Autism Specialty Services?
Research shows that children with Autism Spectrum Disorder have the best chance of making significant developmental gains with intensive 1:1 intervention that begins as early as possible, ideally before age 3. Autism Specialty Service Programs throughout Massachusetts, funded by the Department of Public Health, supplement the services of Early Intervention Programs by providing intensive therapy focusing on the key characteristics of autism/PDD.
The REACH Program has provided early intervention services since 1977, and specialty services since 2000. Through our Autism Specialty Services program, we offer 5-30 hours a week of intensive service, depending on the needs of the child and the family. Trained, experienced tutors provide home and community-based interactive therapy.
What Is Autism PDD?
Autism Spectrum Disorder, or Pervasive Developmental Disorder, is characterized by unusual development in the areas of social interaction, communication, and play skills. Symptoms of autism/PDD include impaired language, lack of eye contact, lack of purposeful gesturing such as pointing, and repetitive behavior.
The cause of autism/PDD is unknown; however, it is understood to be related to some types of brain abnormalities. Because it is a spectrum disorder, each child is an individual who will exhibit unique strengths and challenges.
What Is Our Treatment Philosophy?
The Specialty Services Program at REACH offers children intensive tutoring based primarily on Stanley Greenspan’s Floortime Model of intervention, along with Applied Behavior Analysis.
Floortime:
• Addresses the “core components” of Autism Spectrum Disorder: communication skills, social interaction skills, and play skills.
• Is a relationship-based, highly interactive and energetic approach.
• Helps the child learn to interact in socially appropriate ways, to play imaginatively, and to problem solve.
• Builds on a child’s natural interests.
• Helps a child to develop spontaneous behaviors that are purposeful and intentional, and to expand on the length and complexity of communication with others.
We provide assistance to children and families that is:
• Individualized: based on each child’s strengths and needs.
• Flexible: we are able to introduce more or less structure into our intervention depending on the child’s needs. If indicated, we work collaboratively with providers whose approach is based on ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis).
• Family focused: staff work on goals and outcomes parents define.
• Integrated: provided in home and community settings, wherever children play individually or in groups.
• Coordinated: in collaboration with EI providers, EI goals are integrated into our work and co-treatment is encouraged.
Who Is Eligible?
Children under the age of three with a diagnosis of autism/PDD are eligible for intensive services. A referral can be made by parents, early intervention staff, and physicians. A family needs to be connected to an early intervention program before services can begin, although it does not need to be through the REACH Program. We serve children throughout Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden Counties and the Athol area.
What Towns Do We Serve?
REACH's Autism Specialty Services are available in most towns throughout Hampshire, Franklin, and Hampden Counties and the Athol/Orange area.
Do We Offer Services Beyond 3?
As an adjunct to our intensive early intervention services, REACH can be contracted by school systems or privately to provide services to preschool aged children.
• Training and Consultation
• Develop school or home-based programs.
• Assist with age 3 transition providing initial classroom support and supervision of aides.
• Home-based Services
• Provide home-based component of school program, including tutor training, ongoing supervision, and coordination with school around IEP goals.
Contact:
Katrina Manegio, Program Coordinator
Autism Specialty Services
REACH Program
100C State Road
South Deerfield, MA 01373
Phone: (413) 397-8986
Fax: (413) 397-9768
Helpful Links:
Community Resources for People with Autism
(413) 529-2428
The Floortime Foundation
All Out Adventures
(413) 527-8980
NAAR (National Alliance for Autism Research)
Mass. Advocates for Children
Autism Project Special Education Legal Support Center
(617) 357-8431 ext. 233
