Psychoeducational Assessments are conducted to evaluate a child’s academic strengths and weaknesses.  Diagnosis of specific learning disabilities will be made when clinically appropriate. Procedures include direct observation of the child in various academic settings, thorough review of all pertinent medical and academic records, administration of specific learning disability tests as indicated, and interviews with all relevant adults including parents, teachers, and other professionals.

The assessment includes specific recommendations for parents and teachers aimed at facilitating the child’s current and future academic success. Such testing can also serve as the basis for requesting special education services and aid in the development of your child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP).

We also offer School Consultation Services for parents needing additional support.

Family therapy and support is a collaborative process that focuses on needs identified by parents and family members. Typically, families meet weekly with a therapist, and together they work toward building on existing strengths and improving family management practices.

Direct interventions, including counseling, therapy, or advocacy may be part of individual interventions with children and adolescents. Individual work with these youth is typically combined with family therapy or parenting groups.

Social Skills Group for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders:

Skill-based group providing treatment for children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD. Lessons include: conversational skills, cooperative play skills, friendship management, self-regulation, empathy/feelings, and conflict management. The group currently meets on multiple nights from 5-6 and is generally suitable for children ages 5-8.

Elementary-Aged Social Skills Group Therapy Program

Our Elementary-Aged social skills group therapy program is designed for children within the middle to upper elementary school range (generally between ages 7 and 9).  The group meets every Thursday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.  Program curriculum focuses on a variety of social skills, tailored to client areas of need as determined by child and parent surveys.  Areas of focus may include understanding social cues, learning to share, coping with stress and anger, and dealing with teasing or bullying, as well as many other subjects.  During sessions, topics are introduced and discussed, therapists guide children in activities specific to the area of focus, and children engage in problem-solving and role playing.  Additionally, children are taught the use of “Hassle Logs” which allow them to record information about difficult social or emotional incidents and self-reflect, critique, and improve their responses.  These logs are reviewed during session and used to facilitate group discussion about common social and emotional difficulties.

Social Skills and Values Clarification for Adolescents and Young Adults:

Skill-based groups providing treatment for adolescents who are experiencing difficulty with adult and peer relations. Group members focus on improvement in the following skills: maintenance of appropriate boundaries, appropriate problem solving skills, anger and stress management, hygiene, and safety.

Children/Adolescents Coping With Physical Disabilities:

This group provides treatment for children and adolescents who have physical disabilities and/or limitations. Group members are encouraged to explore their feelings about how their disability affects self esteem, friendships, opportunities for socialization and dating and their ability to participate in educational programming. Development of socialization skills is emphasized.

Grief and Loss Groups for Children and Adolescents:

These groups provide treatment for children and adolescents who have experienced a loss due to death, separation, divorce or other traumatic event. Participants will learn to identify and acknowledge their losses and associated feelings; to develop avenues to appropriately express feelings; to understand and experience the universality of the loss experience; and to develop a meaningful context to their loss experience.

Parent groups are available on various topics including behavior management, child development, parent-child interaction skills, and successful school collaboration.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is a systematic teaching approach based on B.F. Skinner’s analysis of verbal behavior and the subsequent contributions of other behavior analysts. The National Academy of Sciences recognizes ABA as the best research supported approach for children on the autism spectrum.

ENDORSEMENT OF ABA
Surgeon General Endorses Behavioral Intervention for Autism

United States Surgeon General David Satcher, MD, PhD, has endorsed intensive behavioral intervention for individuals with autism. Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General states, "Thirty years of research demonstrated the efficacy of applied behavioral methods in reducing inappropriate behavior and in increasing communication, learning, and appropriate social behavior."

The report is available on the world wide web at: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/chapter3/sec6.html#autism.

The report can also be ordered by calling 1-877-9MHealth, or by writing to Mental Health, Pueblo, CO 81009.

The following organizations endorse ABA as a scientifically proven approach for treating children with autism and related disorders:
American Academy of Neurology
American Academy of Family Pediatrics
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Academy of Occupational Therapy Association
American Psychological Association
American Speech-Language Hearing Association
Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
Autism Society of America
National Alliance for Autism Research
National Institute of Child Health & Human Development
National Institute of Mental Health

We offer ABA therapy for children in both the clinic and home setting. Therapy is individualized to each child based on an initial assessment (ABLLS-R, VB-MAPP or other) and continually modified based on the child’s progress. All therapists hold at least a Bachelor’s degree and have completed specialized training in ABA/verbal behavior training. The initial assessment (including curriculum development) and ongoing supervision of the program is provided by a Master’s or Doctorate level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

We also offer a Parent-as-Therapist program that allows parents to serve as therapists for their own child (either in place of or in addition to an ABA therapist from our clinic). We provide ongoing training, support, and consultation for parents interested in this approach.