Autism

Discovering that your child has an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be an overwhelming experience. For some, the diagnosis may come as a complete surprise; others may have had suspicions and tried for months or years to get an accurate diagnosis. In either case, a diagnosis brings a multitude of questions about how to proceed. Society’s understanding of autism is much clearer today than it has been historically. With appropriate services and supports, training, and information, children on the autism spectrum will grow, learn, and flourish, even if at a different developmental rate than others. Our goal is to provide intervention programs which are tailored to meet not only the needs of the ASD child, but also the needs of the family as a whole.

“People are valuable. Therefore, PCS exists to help children, adults, and families discover their greatness.” This is more than just our mission, but rather a standard in all of our lives. We pride ourselves on living out our mission with every child and family we serve. Many members of our PCS family have been personally affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders, including the family of our President and CEO, Dr. Roy Smith and Vice President of Program Development Duane Miller. These personal experiences have given us unique and empathic insight into the realities an ASD diagnosis brings to any family.

While there is no known cure for autism, there are treatment and education approaches that may reduce some of the challenges associated with the condition. Intervention may help lessen disruptive behaviors, and education can teach skills that allow for greater independence. But just as there is no one symptom or behavior that identifies individuals with ASD, there is no single treatment that will be effective for all children on the spectrum. Individuals can learn to function within the confines of ASD and use the positive aspects of their condition to their benefit, but treatment must begin as early as possible and be tailored to the child's unique strengths, challenges, and needs. Each child’s program will be individualized and dynamic, and will grow and develop with the child and the family as they explore and discover their greatness.

We have found that it is important to match a child's potential and specific needs to our recommended treatments and strategies. We do not want to give the impression that parents or professionals will randomly select items from a list of available treatments. All treatment approaches are not equal—i.e. what works for one child may not work for the next. The basis for choosing any treatment plan should come from a thorough evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses observed in the child.

Our Treatment Philosophy

PCS strives to provide families with the most up to date research-based interventions for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders. PCS is developing an Autism treatment program which encompasses the basic principles of Applied Behavior Analysis as well as other well-established and researched modalities to provide families, children, and educators the opportunity to enjoy a quality of life that might not have been there prior to receiving services.

What Should Parents Expect from Us?

Our comprehensive autism program includes four phases:

1. Assessment: We will conduct a functional assessment in all identified domains to develop a comprehensive treatment package.
2. Treatment Implementation: We will implement a treatment plan, measure the child and family’s progress, and adjust interventions as appropriate through treatment.
3. Transference of Skills: We will train and transfer each skill to the child, family, and other natural supports through generalization and training.
4. Comprehensive Discharge Planning: We will ensure that the child and family have the necessary skills and supports to continue their progress after they have successfully completed the program.

The program will focus on three domains which have been shown to be significant impairments with children diagnosed with ASD:

1. Communication
2. Socialization
3. Behavior

Other areas of concern can also be addressed through programming; however, these three domains will encompass a large portion of the treatment package. Families are an essential part of the program and can provide informative feedback as to their needs and desires throughout the program.

A team of trained Autism Specialists will be on hand to consult with you and your family regarding current and potential behavioral needs in your child’s home, community, and school. In addition to a trained consultant, a Board Certified Behavior Analysis (BCBA) will supervise the treatment team on a bi-weekly basis addressing any clinical concerns or problems. PCS staff will take time to coach parents through the program as well as provide them with much-needed support. At PCS, we strive to bring you and your family the highest quality of life possible, at the same time, instilling a greater hope for your future.