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Our educational programs at MHCDI comprise the following learning modalities for effectively addressing Autism Spectrum Disorders, other pervasive developmental disorders and psychosocial issues in various settings.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
The Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) approach teaches social, motor, and verbal behaviors as well as reasoning skills. ABA treatment is especially useful in teaching behaviors to children with autism who may otherwise not "pick up" these behaviors on their own as other children would. The ABA approach can be used by a parent, counselor, or certified behavior analyst. ABA uses careful behavioral observation and positive reinforcement or prompting to teach each step of a behavior. A child's behavior is reinforced with a reward when he or she performs each of the steps correctly. Undesirable behaviors, or those that interfere with learning and social skills, are watched closely. The goal is to determine what happens to trigger a behavior, and what happens after that behavior to reinforce it. The idea is to remove these triggers and reinforcers from the child's environment. New reinforcers are then used to teach the child a different behavior in response to the same trigger.
Discrete Trial Training (DTT)
In discrete trial training, an ABA practitioner gives a clear instruction about a desired behavior (e.g., "Pick up the paper."); if the child responds correctly, the behavior is reinforced (e.g., "Great job! Have a sticker."). If the child doesn't respond correctly, the practitioner gives a gentle prompt (e.g., places child's hand over the paper). The hope is that the child will eventually learn to generalize the correct response.
Pivotal response training (PRT)
Pivotal response training uses ABA techniques to target crucial skills that are important (or pivotal) for many other skills. Thus, if the child improves on one of these pivotal skills, improvements are seen in a wide variety of behaviors that were not specifically trained. The idea is that this approach can help the child generalize behaviors from a therapy setting to everyday settings.
No one treatment can successfully treat autism in isolation. Instead, most therapists and caretakers use a combination of interventions and techniques to treat autism.
Relationship Development Intervention
Relationship Development Intervention (RDI), developed by Dr. Steve Gutstein, is a complimentary approach that is growing in popularity. It is a relatively new program that focuses on fostering autistic children's social development.
Rather than being a component of another larger set of therapeutic interventions, RDI is an entire program in of itself, and it is the primary program that enrolled children participate in. Children who receive RDI services work with a professional RDI consultant who coordinates their care. RDI may be supplemented with other interventions, but the major focus of therapy for RDI enrolled children is relationship development.
RDI is a step-by-step therapy that eventually leads to the child's interacting with a number of different people. The program begins one-on-one and progresses through group sessions. Enrolled children learn to interpret nonverbal social cues, like gestures and facial expressions. They are taught social concepts like of sharing and encouraged to develop empathy and awareness of others.
Floortime
Floortime is a type of child led therapeutic play. It's part of a larger therapeutic approach called DIR (Developmental, Individual-Difference, Relationship-Based). Floortime and DIR are best-known as techniques for building a child's emotional reciprocity and engagement. Floor time is a type of childled therapeutic play. It's part of a larger therapeutic approach called DIR (Developmental, Individual-Difference, Relationship-Based). Floortime and DIR are best-known as techniques for building a child's emotional reciprocity and engagement.
Social Stories
Social stories is a very popular complementary approach to the treatment of autism. The social stories are used to help autistic children navigate through social situations by helping the child see things from another person's point of view. Stories are designed using a systematic structure that eases children through the perception process one step at a time. Each story serve as a model for appropriate behavior in various social situations. The stories help children recognize social cues that can tell them how another person perceives the situation.
Case Management
Case Management Models
Defining the Core Activities of Case Management
Client Intake
Comprehensive Assessment
Care Plan Implementation
Monitoring /Advocating
Reassessment / Discharge, Termination
Conservatorship
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Understanding intervention Strategies
Behavioral Symptoms and Strategies
Common Behaviors Associated with Autism
Poor Generalization
Rigidity in Thinking
Inability to use Abstract Thought
Self Stimulation
Over/ Under Sensitivity
Sensory Integration Issues
Anger Management
Self-Calming Techniques
Treatment for Autism
Pervasive Development Disorder NOS
Rett's Disorder
Asperger's Disorder
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
Look Alike Disorders
Hyperlexia
Attention Deficit Disorder
Working With Hyperactivity and ADHD
What is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
What Causes ADHD?
Who is Affected by Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?
Symptoms of ADHD DSM - IV Criteria Mental Energy Control
Treatment for ADHD
Nutrition and Dietary Intervention Social Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Problem Solving Skills
Life Skills
Conflict Resolution
DSM IV
Childhood and Adolescent Disorders
Organic Mental Disorders
Substance Abuse and Eating Disorders
Schizophrenic, Delusional and Psychotic Disorders
Mood Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Somatoform Disorders
Dissociative Disorders
Sexual Disorders
Impulse Control and Adjustment Disorders
Personality Disorders
Sleep Disorders
Child Abuse
What Is Child Abuse?
Child abuse assessment and reporting
Signs of Physical, Emotional and Sexual Abuse
Physical Abuse
Emotional - Verbal Abuse
Support Groups / Individual Counseling
Intuitive healing /understanding body symptoms
Self-help skills development
Seven energy centers
Family system theory
Fear of feelings
Fear of Anger
Cognitive Distortions
Communication Techniques
Emotional Congruence
Reconciliation, recovery, restructuring
Women's issues / women's health
Improving interpersonal skill
Psychosomatic illness
Depersonalization / professional safety
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