Differential Diagnosis & Treatment Options for High Functioning Autism Becky Touchette M Ed. Preschool Autism Specialist Saddleback Valley Unified School District

Program Components Developmental Curriculum California Preschool Learning Foundations Teacher Directed ABA Learning Activities Varied activities for higher functioning students to enable concept learning Generalization of new skills Planned opportunities for expansion and reinforcement of mastered skills

Program Components Autism Specialist Certified Early Childhood Special Education Teachers Specially Trained IBI Assistants Psychologist with BICM training Speech and Language Therapists Occupational Therapist Physical Therapist, Adaptive Physical Education, Vision Specialist

Program Components Consistent Methodology across all staff Consistent Program Goals and Philosophy Consistent measures of success

Program Components Parent Involvement – Development of the IEP goals and objectives – Development of behavior intervention plans – Developing new skills in the home or community – Generalization of mastered skills to home and community

Accessing Special Education Parent Referrals Regional Center Referrals Early Start SVUSD Referrals

Assessments Parent Checklists and Interviews Record review if the child has had previous intervention Standardized Testing Desired Results Developmental Profile Observation in a familiar setting, usually the home Observations in a novel setting, usually the School Assessment Center

Special Education Placements IBI 1:1 IBI Small Group Special Day Class w/ IBI Tutoring Typical Preschool w/ Shadow support Typical Preschool

Adam Early Start services from RCOC 3 year old attended SVUSD Preschool w/Shadow and IBI Tutoring— Speech Therapy 4 year old attended SVUSD Preschool w/ Shadow, IBI Tutoring and Speech Therapy Kindergarten with a Classroom Shadow, IBI Tutoring and Speech Therapy

John Early start at IAC 3 year old Special Day Class w/ IBI Tutoring Speech Therapy and Physical Therapy 4 year old SVUSD Preschool 3 days a week and a Parent Pay Private Preschool w/ Shadow and IBI Tutoring and Speech Therapy After 3 months Shadow was faded in both Preschools settings Kindergarten with IBI Tutoring and Speech Therapy

Niki Early Start services through RCOC 3 year old in the Small Group IBI w/time in SVUSD Preschool w/Shadow Transitioned to SDC class with IBI Tutoring including time in SVUSD Preschool w/ Shadow 4 year old started SVUSD Preschool w/Shadow and IBI Tutoring Shadow in SVUSD Preschool was faded Kindergarten with IBI Tutoring and Speech Therapy

Jessica Parent Referral 3 year old in IBI 1:1 with Speech Therapy Transitioned to IBI Small Group 4 year old transitioned to SDC with IBI Tutoring and Speech Therapy Entered SDC Kindergarten with IBI Tutoring and Speech Therapy First Grade in Regular Education with Speech Therapy

Summary Programs for children with Autism must be flexible and individualized in order to accommodate their widely varying needs. Dr. Filipek and her colleagues are now able to identify Autism in ever younger children thus enabling intervention at a very early age. Of necessity our techniques and program options will continue to evolve to best meet the needs of those whom we serve.