The Summit Centre for Preschool Children with Autism Affiliated with University of Windsor I posted a copy of this presentation at www.uwindsor.ca/autism under “Workshops”. www.summitcentre.org © Marcia Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, 2005 p. 1

We invite referrals for children who; Summit Centre We invite referrals for children who; live within a 1 hour drive of our site are 48 months or younger have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder – OR - are suspected of having a diagnosis by a qualified Psychologist or Physician - 3 out of 5 new children since August 2003 were under 2 years old www.summitcentre.org © Marcia Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, 2005 p. 2

The Summit Centre Program intensive early intervention services to preschool children with autism up to 31.5 hours/week of 1-on-1 Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) treatment at home and in centre 50 weeks per year www.summitcentre.org © Marcia Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, 2005 p. 3

Additional Activities Summit Centre Additional Activities encourage group interaction circle time & structured play enhance social skills promote generalization teach how to learn in a group www.summitcentre.org © Marcia Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, 2005 p. 4

Individualized Written Treatment Programs Summit Centre Individualized Written Treatment Programs enhancing language & communication social skills & play cooperative behaviour daily living skills www.summitcentre.org © Marcia Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, 2005 p. 5

Transitions at first, in-home visits flex schedule at the centre Summit Centre Transitions at first, in-home visits flex schedule at the centre age 4 or 5, often part-time in preschool or kindergarten age 6, in school we join with preschools, schools & agencies to promote smooth transitions www.summitcentre.org © Marcia Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, 2005 p. 6

Family Involvement parent meeting once a week Summit Centre Family Involvement parent meeting once a week participate in developing programs involved in teaching daily living skills monthly parents group parent on Board of Directors other parent, family volunteers www.summitcentre.org © Marcia Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, 2005 p. 7

Our Contact List anyone interested may tour our centre Summit Centre Our Contact List anyone interested may tour our centre long waiting list right now for parents committed to enrolling their child, we provide a diagnostic assessment if needed enrolled children start treatment as spaces become available modest user fees based on family’s ability to pay www.summitcentre.org © Marcia Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, 2005 p. 8

For Further Information Summit Centre For Further Information Feel free to contact us; Phone (519) 255-1195 Fax (519) 255-9226 Email info@summitcentre.org www.summitcentre.org www.summitcentre.org © Marcia Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, 2005 p. 9

“Even the smallest footsteps can cross great distances.” All drawings by enrolled children All photos with consent of parents and staff “Even the smallest footsteps can cross great distances.” www.summitcentre.org © Marcia Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, 2005 p. 10

Autism: Count Us In! Do you or someone you know have a child with difficulties in:   Communication Social Interaction Behaviour ? www.uwindsor.ca/countusin © M. Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, 2005 p. 11

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) A child with difficulties in communication, social interest, & unusual behaviours may be at risk for ASD. These include; Autism Asperger’s Disorder Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDDNOS) www.uwindsor.ca/countusin © M. Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, 2005 p. 12

Did you know? About 1 in every 166 children has ASD. ASD can be diagnosed in children under 2 years old. Never wait if ASD is suspected! Early diagnosis → early treatment → better outcome. www.uwindsor.ca/countusin © M. Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, 2005 p. 13

Children with ASD have difficulties in Communication Late talking Late pointing, waving . bye-bye or other gestures Repeating words or phrases Weak conversation skills   Communication Late talking (e.g. no babbling by 12 months, no single words by 16 months, no 2-word phrases by 24 months) Late pointing, waving bye-bye or other gestures (by 12 months) Repeating words or phrases (e.g. from TV, videos.) Weak conversation skills   www.uwindsor.ca/countusin © M. Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, 2005 p. 14

Children with ASD have Low Social Interest Not responding to name Weak eye contact More interest in objects than people Weak sharing enjoyment or interest Avoiding or ignoring other children  Social Interest Not responding to name Weak eye contact More interest in objects than people Weak sharing enjoyment or interest (e.g. not showing objects to others) Avoiding or ignoring other children   www.uwindsor.ca/countusin © M. Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, 2005 p. 15

Children with ASD have Unusual Behaviours Odd or repetitive ways of moving body Weak interest in toys or playing in an unusual way Rigid routines Intense interests  Odd or repetitive ways of moving body (e.g. hand flapping) Weak interest in toys or playing in an unusual way (e.g. lining up, spinning) Following rigid routines (e.g. must always wear red pants) Intense interests (e.g. only interested in dinosaurs, trains, or letters & numbers) www.uwindsor.ca/countusin © M. Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, 2005 p. 16

Research Questions How many children with ASD born between 1999 & 2003 are there in Windsor & Essex County? Are there more children with ASD in Windsor & Essex County than in other parts of Ontario? www.uwindsor.ca/countusin © M. Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, 2005 p. 17

Research Questions Is Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), or Intensive Behaviour Intervention (IBI), getting to young children with ASD in Windsor/Essex? Barriers? What needs do local parents see for their families and for their young children with ASD? www.uwindsor.ca/countusin © M. Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, 2005 p. 18

Autism: Count Us In! But to do this... We need your help!  … is a research study to help answer these questions. But to do this... We need your help! www.uwindsor.ca/countusin © M. Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, 2005 p. 19

Who can Participate Parents of children who are:   born between 1999—2003 living in Windsor-Essex County diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder - OR - showing some symptoms listed www.uwindsor.ca/countusin © M. Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, 2005 p. 20

How You Can Participate Ask a Research Assistant at a talk or event to fill out a questionnaire! (See our website for a list of events.) - OR - Call 255-1234. Please leave a message. A trained research assistant will call you back in a day or two. www.uwindsor.ca/countusin © M. Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, 2005 p. 21

Autism: Count Us In! We will ask you questions about: your child’s diagnosis or symptoms your child’s treatment & needs support & training needed for your family Personal answers are Confidential. Parents can choose to be in a raffle for a $50 gift certificate! www.uwindsor.ca/countusin © M. Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, 2005 p. 22

Research Team Principal Investigator: Marcia Gragg, PhD, CPsych   Research Assistants: Samantha Scapinello, MA, PhD Psychology Student Andrea Cooper, BSc Nursing Student Vara Parameswaran, BCN Student Parent Advisor: Irene Baert www.uwindsor.ca/countusin © M. Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, 2005 p. 23

659 Lincoln Road, Woollatt Hall Contact Us 659 Lincoln Road, Woollatt Hall Windsor, ON N8Y 2G8   519-255-1234 email countusin@uwindsor.ca www.uwindsor.ca/countusin  This study has been reviewed and received ethics clearance through the University of Windsor Research Ethics Board. © M. Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, 2005 p. 24