Media Contact:
Daphne Plump
(o) 818.345.2345 x 270
Center for Autism & Related Disorders, Inc.
19019 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana, CA 91356
Orlando, Florida - Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh will present SKILLS: Shaping Knowledge Through Life Learning Systems.
Over the past 15 years, The Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) has developed a system of individualized assessment and an extensive curriculum to teach skills to children with Autism. This presentation will review SKILLS, an on-line training protocol for parents and professionals and a detailed assessment that aids in identifying deficient and sufficient skills in children diagnosed within the autism spectrum. In addition, the CARD Curriculum will outline programs to teach skills in various areas of development.
Autism is a neurobiological, developmental disability that impacts 1 in 150 children in this country, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Treatment approaches grounded in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) are now considered to be at the forefront of educational interventions for children with autism.
However, there are many misconceptions about ABA and its applications to the treatment of individuals diagnosed within the autism spectrum. Similarly, with the explosive rise in diagnosis, programs to support children on the autism spectrum and their families are simply not available in sufficient quantity, or quality to meet the demand.
Since its inception in 1990, The Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) has treated thousands of children worldwide by developing unique and individualized behavior programs. With the help of highly qualified and experienced staff, CARD has developed a comprehensive system of individualized on-going assessment and training,
and an extensive curricula aimed to identify specific skills to teach children diagnosed with Autism and related disorders. By providing access to a full system approach to treatment, children with autism are more likely to lead independent, productive, and successful lives.
Attendees at this presentation will be exposed to the CARD SKILLS and CARD Curricula, which work hand in hand to provide training to parents and professionals, identify areas of strength and need in children, and guide behaviorbased programs. Case studies and video footage will also be presented in support of CARD’s treatment model.
Recent research will be presented to show successful outcomes with related protocols.
PRESS RELEASE The presentation aims to accomplish the following objectives:
- Identify at least one research protocol that supports the success of interventions utilizing techniques in ABA for individuals diagnosed with autism - Identify one advantage to on-going assessment of skills - Identify one advantage to on-line teaching modules for parents and professionals - Identify developmental areas to be considered when implementing a behavior-based program. The CARD SKILLS is comprised of the SKILLS E-Learning Modules and the SKILLS Index. Together they encompass the training of parents and professionals, as well as the assessment of skills in the children CARD aims to assist. The SKILLS E-Learning Modules provides instruction to parents and professionals on how to effectively apply the principles of ABA to manage challenging behaviors and teach skills.
E-Learning will allow parents and professionals the flexibility and convenience of learning necessary concepts and techniques at their own pace with the use of multimedia material. It will enable those who may not otherwise be able to travel to receive training. The SKILLS Index is a comprehensive assessment tool to be used in identifying the current
abilities of each child. The SKILLS Index is comprised of hundreds of individual skill targets within the following developmental areas: Adaptive Behavior, Language, Cognition, Motor Skills, Executive Function, Self-Help, Academic Skills, Play, and Social Skills. Once completed, parents and professionals can access easy-to-read graphs depicting the areas of strength and deficit for the child, based on their age. This assessment is
then linked on-line to the appropriate areas within the curricula. The CARD Curricula will provide detailed instructions on how to teach target skills, as well as provide helpful teaching points, possible IEP goals, and video footage demonstrating correct procedures.
Dr. Granpeesheh recently released a documentary Recovered: Journeys Through the Autism Spectrum and Back. It documents the journey of four of her clients who completely recovered from autism. Dr. Granpeesheh founded CARD in 1990. It is among the world's largest and most experienced organizations effectively treating children with autism and related disorders. There are 17 CARD offices worldwide.
Dr. Jonathan Tarbox, who heads up CARD’s Research and Development Department, will also present at the ASA Conference. Dr. Tarbox will present Recovery from Autism: A Position Paper, authored by Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh.
The popular consensus is that children with autism do not recover. However, 20 years of research on early intensive applied behavior analytic (ABA) treatment has demonstrated that some children achieve age-appropriate functioning. In addition, numerous anecdotal reports have observed remediation of autism following treatment with various complementary alternative medicines.
Dr. Tarbox will define CARD’s definition of recovery as follows: An individual may be said to have recovered from autism if that individual had a confirmed diagnosis of autism, then experienced a treatment of some sort, and subsequently meets all of the following criteria: 1) does not meet the diagnostic criteria of the DSM-IV-TR, according to a clinician with a significant history of diagnosing autism, 2) achieves scores in the average range on standardized tests of intelligence, social skills, language, and adaptive functioning, and 3) is achieving passing grades in a typical educational placement, without special supports of any kind.
During the presentation, Dr. Tarbox will first address the concept of disorder and the evolution of the concept in medical and psychological science. Secondly, he will address evolution and current status of the concepts of cure, recovery, remediation, and remission. And lastly, Dr. Tarbox will discuss current theories on the etiology of autism.
For more information about CARD, Dr. Granpeesheh, Dr. Tarbox, and CARD’s Research and Development department, turn to www.centerforautism.com
