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

2. 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
© Marcia Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, p. 2

3. 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
© Marcia Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, p. 3

4. 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
© Marcia Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, p. 4

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

6. 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
© Marcia Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, p. 6

7. 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
© Marcia Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, p. 7

8. 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
© Marcia Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, p. 8

9. For Further Information
Summit Centre
For Further Information
Feel free to contact us;
Phone (519)
Fax (519)
© Marcia Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, p. 9

10. “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.”
© Marcia Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, p. 10

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

12. 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)
© M. Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, p. 12

13. 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.
© M. Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, p. 13

14. 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
© M. Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, p. 14

15. 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
© M. Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, p. 15

16. 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)
© M. Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, p. 16

17. 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?
© M. Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, p. 17

18. 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?
© M. Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, p. 18

19. 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!
© M. Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, p. 19

20. 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
© M. Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, p. 20

21. 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 Please leave a message.
A trained research assistant will call you back in a day or two.
© M. Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, p. 21

22. 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!
© M. Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, p. 22

23. 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
© M. Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, p. 23

24. 659 Lincoln Road, Woollatt Hall
Contact Us
659 Lincoln Road, Woollatt Hall
Windsor, ON N8Y 2G8
 This study has been reviewed and received ethics clearance through the University of Windsor Research Ethics Board.
© M. Gragg, PhD, CPsych, Sept. 12, p. 24