Giving Hope LLC

Autism: (Entire Life Autism Services)

The S.O.B.E.C.A. Approach

The S.O.B.E.C.A. Approach was designed to support and follow a child into adolescence, then into adulthood, and then into the end of life.  The purpose is to help a child/adolescence/adult/elder with autism reach their full potential, access every access of their community to the best of their ability, and to communicate as effectively as possible while helping their loved ones to understand their needs and helping their loved ones to cope with having a family member having a diagnosis of autism. 

Assessment

Our evaluation team is well-versed in utilizing The S.O.B.E.C.A. Approach to assess every aspect of your child/family member’s ability, development, and life to determine their strengths and areas of needed improvement.  This assessment includes a cognitive, academic, adaptive, ecological, and QEEG assessment. From that, you will have a clear picture of loved one’s true ability, needs, and an aggressive treatment recommendation will be developed to help meet their full potential.  Full assessments are conducted triennially, and partial assessments are conducted as needed and more often whenever utilized as a continuous performance tool.

Center-based Treatment

Many children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or related disorders can benefit from behavior therapies that aim to reduce undesired behaviors, improve a child’s functioning and address co-occurring mental health disorders like depression or anxiety. Our Autism Center clinicians utilize several treatments matched to the child’s age, specific symptoms and degree of impairment. Included in our approaches are: One-on-One Supports and Group Supports.  Each treatment is strongly supported by research and personalized by our clinicians to each family’s specific needs.

We also consult with school staff and provide specific recommendations to ensure the child is receiving comprehensive support across settings.

Behavioral Parent Training

Home-based and Center-Based Parent training is effective in addressing behavioral issues in children from age two through adolescence. Offered in our office, it includes several evidence-based approaches, such as Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and Parent Management Training (PMT). Skills are taught and modeled by the therapist, role-played with parents and often applied in live coaching situations with both parent and child. Parents are equipped with information and skills to increase confidence and self-sufficiency in setting limits and managing the behavior of their child or teen. Likewise, children gain skill in controlling their own behavior and meeting parents’ expectations.  An integral part of this treatment is school consultation, offering insight into how teachers and staff can effectively and efficiently support the child in that setting.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

As children with ASD and related disorders mature, they often experience mood and anxiety issues, academic difficulties, weak organizational skills and family conflict. To target these challenges, our clinicians use cognitive-behavioral and problem-solving interventions. They help older children and teenagers increase their awareness of and ability to manage their symptoms, and improve their interactions with parents, peers and teachers. Length of treatment is typically 8-12 weeks but varies depending on the child’s and family’s needs.

Family Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

In having a child with ASD can be a challenge and parents tend to self-blame.  They also tend to forget to take care of themselves preventing themselves from identifying their emotions and working through emotions that may prevent them from reaching their full potential.  In raising a child with ASD challenges become more grand and parents need an outlet for coping.  Our skilled clinicians help parents to identify and work through grief, develop healthy coping mechanisms, develop appropriate goals, and develop appropriate self-care goals.  Treatment length varies based on the needs of each family.  Families are seen with the child present, and in the child’s absence. 

Autism University

In having a child with ASD can be a challenge and parents to understand the diagnosis, how to get a better understanding of the services that are needed, how to assess the child, what to expect in terms of development.  tend to self-blame.  They also tend to forget to take care of themselves preventing themselves from identifying their emotions and working through emotions that may prevent them from reaching their full potential.  In raising a child with ASD challenges become grander and parents need an outlet for coping.  Our skilled clinicians help parents to identify and work through grief, develop healthy coping mechanisms, develop appropriate goals, and develop appropriate self-care goals.  Treatment length varies based on the needs of each family member.  Families are seen with the child present as a family unit, in the child’s absence.