Autism Spectrum Disorder

Pediatric Autism Learning System for Pragmatic and Language Stimulation (PALS for PALS)

An early intervention group therapy and individual treatment program for preschoolers that is critical to making significant changes in communication for children with regulatory disorders involving attention, language learning, and behavior problems.

RE/MAX Communication Station preschool program

Funded by RE/MAX and a proud sponsor of Children's Miracle Network, this group therapy program is designed to meet the needs of children who are primarily language-impaired between the ages of three and six years. The classroom is team-taught by a speech-language pathologist and a certified early intervention special education teacher.

Pragmatic Enrichment Group Program (PEP)

A group therapy program specifically designed to teach and encourage social interactive skills while providing exciting language-enhancing activities for children with a PDD or ASD diagnosis between the ages of five to fourteen years.

Smile

A 6-week group therapy program held once per week for children, ages 5 - 7, with a focus on sensory processing combined with fine motor and social skills.

Ready for (summer/fall/winter) Fun

A multi-disciplinary group held 6 weeks in the summer, fall, and winter. The focus of the group is language, gross motor, and fine motor development for children ages 3-5 (older groups can be formed as needed). An OT, PT, or SLP runs each group. There are three sections to choose from - sensory integration, physical, or social.

Buddy group

This 6-week group therapy program is facilitated by a social worker once per week. The group is designed for children ages 7-11 who work together to develop social and peer interactions.

Sibling group

This 6-week group therapy program is facilitated by a social worker once per week. The group is designed for special needs children and their siblings and focuses on developing stronger bonds and mutual respect through conversation and arts and crafts.

Martial arts

This program is held for 10 and 6 weeks. It is designed to provide the special needs child ages 4-12 with an opportunity to learn basic martial arts techniques. A PT and a certified therapeutic martial arts instructor run the group. We have a beginning and an advanced course. Each child is assigned a trained volunteer.

Dance

A 6-week program to provide special needs children with an opportunity to learn basic dance techniques and movements under the guidance of a therapist with dance experience. The final session of this group therapy program is a performance for the families of the participants. Each child is assigned a trained volunteer.

Lil' Munchers and Big Crunchers

Feeding groups are designed to assist the picky eaters to eat with their peers. These programs are held once per week for 6 weeks.

Handwriting

We offer 10-week handwriting programs, each geared toward a different level of writing from pre-writing to cursive. The Handwriting Without Tears program is utilized to help children master age-appropriate handwriting skills.

Swim

This is a 10 or 6-week program that promotes a child's sense of security in and around a pool, stroke development, social skills, and motor skills. A child will be assessed for appropriateness for the group prior to starting. The child must be able to safely participate in a pool group setting in order to participate. Each child is assigned a trained volunteer.

Corewell Health Children's offers specialized autism intervention programs to provide education, support, and resources for dealing with your autistic child. These specialized intervention programs include:

The P.L.A.Y. Project program

The P.L.A.Y. Project provides training and support for individual families of children with autism from eighteen months to six years of age. Trained P.L.A.Y. Project clinicians present parents with autism intervention techniques that are effective and useful in day-to-day speech and language interactions with children.

Ted Lindsay Foundation HOPE Center

The Ted Lindsay Foundation HOPE Center offers state-of-the-art, evidence-based autism intervention services for children and families. All services are managed by board-certified behavior analysts.

CARE

CARE is a center-based, intensive behavioral treatment program offered at the HOPE Center. We treat preschool children who have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder for 15 hours per week. Our goal is to use autism intervention techniques and procedures of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to help children gain social, communication, play, and self-help skills so that they can achieve a higher quality of life and function more independently.

Social networking

The Ted Lindsay Foundation HOPE Center's Facebook page keeps families informed of all our upcoming events.

Corewell Health Children's recognizes that dealing with autism doesn't end with a clinical office visit. That's why we've developed a variety of parent training programs to help educate you on caring for your child. Training programs offered are:

Lil' Sprouts Parent Education Group program

Teaches parents how to begin to stimulate play, speech, and language within the home environment. Speech-language pathologists demonstrate effective interactive play strategies and offer parents an opportunity to practice their new learning while interacting with their children during the Lil Sprouts training sessions.

The P.L.A.Y. Project program

This program provides family and parent training for children with autism from eighteen months to six years of age. Trained P.L.A.Y. project clinicians present parents with techniques that are effective and useful in day-to-day speech and language interactions with children who have a diagnosis of PDD and ASD.

Family and community outreach

The Center for Human Development is involved in a wide variety of community programs. Our professionals speak frequently for local organizations, and we have collaborated with other Corewell Health Children's Hospital departments to bring low-cost and free lectures to families.

Individual speech and language treatment sessions

Specialized speech-language pathologists provide a diagnostic evaluation and an individualized treatment program focused on helping each child achieve their maximum communicative and social potential. Parent observation and education continue throughout the treatment program, and an individualized home program is designed to enhance the child's progress outside of the clinical environment.

Individual occupational therapy sessions

Occupational therapists help a child with range of motion, strength, fine motor skills (including handwriting), sensor motor skills, eating skills, and self-care skills (like feeding and dressing). The goal of occupational therapy is to help a child with functional limitations become as independent at home, community, and at school as possible. Some examples of autism spectrum disorder treatment approaches that may be utilized by an occupational therapist working with an Autistic child include sensory integration, interactive metronome, and therapeutic listening.

Individual physical therapy sessions

Physical therapists help a child improve range of motion, strength, flexibility, balance, and gross motor skills. Physical therapists help with skills for mobility (walking, stairs, running, jumping) and age-appropriate play for home, community, and school. The goal of physical therapy for the Autistic child is to facilitate mobility and gross motor coordination using play and sensory-based activities.

Social work/case Management services

A social worker coordinates services with other members of the therapy team, as well as your family. Corewell Health's services include assistance with and coordination of insurance issues, resources, and referral information. The social worker can also provide individual and family short-term counseling related to adjustment and coping issues.

Tutoring services

Our team of dedicated tutors works one-on-one with children who have a variety of learning challenges, including autism spectrum disorder. Scholarships are available as funds allow.

Child and adolescent psychological counseling services

Our team of psychologists addresses a wide variety of clinical concerns and works closely with our assessment team. We also offer specialized behavioral therapeutic services that include:

• Behavioral consultation – Our behavior analysts are all limited-licensed psychologists and board-certified behavior analysts, specializing in a variety of childhood concerns, including therapeutic programs for young children with autism, feeding disorders, toileting problems, behavior management and parent training, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and social skills training. Our behavior analysts also work closely with families and schools regarding special education planning and staff training.
• Intensive center-based therapy – Our CARE program offers early intensive behavioral intervention for children with autism and other developmental disabilities. Our skilled behavioral therapists work one-on-one with children for 15 hours a week. Parents are actively involved in treatment through bi-weekly consultation meetings. CARE staff also work collaboratively with local school districts to provide staff training and consultation.