The CARE Program at The Ted Lindsay Foundation HOPE Center provides intensive center-based behavioral intervention to preschool children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. We use techniques to improve their quality of life and independent functioning.

Typically, CARE families are already receiving intensive behavioral intervention in their homes, supervised by a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA registered). In some cases, we accept children who have not yet received intensive services. Each child in CARE receives 15 hours/week of behavioral therapy on a one-on-one basis (i.e., 3 hours each weekday).

The CARE program focuses on skill acquisition. Children with autism often have difficulties acquiring new skills, which often impedes their placement in the school system. In CARE, we provide careful guidance in the skills children are ready to learn. We teach language development (based on Skinner's Analysis of Verbal Behavior), play, social interaction, pre-academic, and daily living skills (e.g., dressing). Some children also exhibit problematic behaviors that interfere with learning, so we also provide functional assessment and proactive techniques to reduce these problem behaviors.

This intervention takes place in a center-based format, consisting of six to eight children in a preschool-type setting. Approximately half of each child's time is spent in a 1:1 structured format. For the remainder of the time, children engage in group activities (circle time, craft, snack) and peer interactions (social skills training).

Since the primary goal of the Lindsay HOPE Center is to provide "hands-on" training to parents or primary caregivers of the children who attend the center, an active role for caregivers continues to be at the heart of all interventions implemented at the CARE program. Parents are actively involved by attending team meetings twice a month at CARE. Additionally, parents are encouraged to attend and actively participate in their child's therapy session at least once per month to stay "up-to-date" on their child's programming.

First, specific skill strengths, deficits, and interfering problem behaviors are identified (through functional assessment), allowing for goals and objectives to be determined. Next, an individualized curriculum is designed for each child using the principles of behavior analysis. Each child's curriculum is unique to his or her own needs and is drawn from a variety of resources, with a foundation in empirical research.

Consultation with the CARE clinical manager and the child's treatment team is required twice per month. In this manner, we may review and update the child's curriculum at CARE. Additionally, we are able to coordinate services (both at and away from CARE) and ensure consistency and generalization across all environments.

A limited-licensed psychologist, who is also a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA), manages the CARE program. The CARE staff members are a unique blend of experienced paid employees and college trainees who are learning about behavior analysis. In this manner, we are able to provide training and clinical experience to college students who are interested in behavior analysis and to reduce the cost of tuition for children in the program.

We strongly encourage interested parents to schedule a visit to the Lindsay HOPE Center to observe the CARE program in action. To schedule a visit or for more information, please call the CARE office at 248.691.4760. We operate on a 4-month semester basis.

Children with special needs, as well as typically developing children, sometimes need special help learning to use the toilet. Any parents who have experienced toileting success with their children can attest that this is indeed a life-changing skill. Additionally, lacking this crucial skill can lead to problems related to school entry and/or social activities such as camp or sleepovers.

The Toilet Learning Clinic offers evidence-based behavioral approaches to teaching toileting skills for children up to age 8. Like all programs at The Ted Lindsay Foundation HOPE Center, TLC focuses on hands-on parent education. Psychologists work side-by-side with parents and provide follow-up consultation if necessary. Please note that clinician schedules are busy, and that toilet training takes time to master.

For families interested in learning more about our approach to toilet training or other referral concerns related to elimination (bedwetting, encopresis), we offer outpatient consultation services to help families and children succeed. Again, all services are evidence-based, using a behavior-analytic approach.

Corewell Health Children's staff of PhD clinical psychologists, limited licensed psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, and board-certified behavior analysts specializes in pediatric counseling. Through various pediatric counseling techniques, Beaumont specialists can help children overcome problematic behaviors within the context of family and peers. After the initial intake, therapists establish a treatment plan with specific goals that will be monitored as therapy progresses.

Pediatric counseling helps children address:

• Adjustment problems
• Adoption
• Anxiety disorders
• Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD)
• Autism spectrum disorders
• Depression
• Encopresis/enuresis
• Family conflict
• Fears and phobias
• Interpersonal relationships
• Learning disorders
• Oppositional/defiant behavior
• Peer group relationships
• Selective mutism
• Self-esteem concerns
• Social skills deficit

Pediatric counselors use applied behavior analysis, cognitive behavioral therapy, and parent-child interaction therapy to decrease or eliminate problem behaviors, motivate positive interactions, and teach effective parenting techniques.

• Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a pediatric counseling technique that focuses on modifying behavior to decrease or eliminate aggression, self-injury, and other undesirable actions. ABA can also be used to teach skills such as functional communication, self-help, play, and social interactions. Therapists motivate children and adolescents to learn and teach caregivers how to implement individualized treatment plans.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a pediatric counseling technique that works to positively influence emotions and enhance adjustment by modifying everyday thoughts and behaviors. CBT is well-suited for conditions including anxiety, depression, phobias, selective mutism, and adjustment disorders.

Staff members can also:

• Consult with schools, preschools, and day-care centers
• Counsel children with hearing loss
• Work with parents
• Facilitate social skills training groups
• Assist with toilet training
• Please call to confirm we're accepting new patients