Hope Center for Autism

Transcription

1 Hope Center for Autism A. Organizational Background Hope Center for Autism is a non-profit organization established for children and families affected by an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Although commonly known as autism, ASDs are a group of developmental disorders that include Autistic Disorder, Asperger Syndrome, and Pervasive Development Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). ASDs cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. Hope Center for Autism was founded in 2012 by Maurice and Tiffany White. The Whites witnessed their son regress at 15 months, losing all language, eye contact, and social skills. After receiving a diagnosis of autism at age 2, they realized there were tremendous needs for additional services in Lincoln Parish to help children and families affected by an Autism Spectrum Disorder. There are many frustrations associated with raising a child with an autism spectrum disorder. Therefore, Hope Center for Autism exists to empower and offer hope to caregivers who are often faced with the challenge of an isolating diagnosis that very few in the community are aware of or equipped to accommodate. Our mission at Hope Center for Autism is to enrich the lives and experiences of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder and their families through support, advocacy, education, and recreation. Our vision for the autism community in Lincoln Parish is one that includes the following: An overall improved quality of life for both child and caregiver, including a reduction in burnout and discord that families caring for a child with autism typically face Access to a supportive environment where caregivers can meet one another and discuss various therapy and treatment options that can lead to healthier outcomes Access to evidence-based techniques, such as Applied Behavior Analysis, which have been proven to provide the best outcome for those affected by autism Access to recreational activities that will increase communication and social skills, and An increased community awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorders

2 Additionally, at the Hope Center for Autism, our deepest desire is to partner with parents, educators, professionals and the community to help children with autism to maximize and reach their highest potential. B. Programs and Services There is an urgent need for autism services in Lincoln Parish as the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), estimates the current rate of autism in the United States to be 1 in 88 children and an even more alarming 1 in 54 boys, making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined. Autism Spectrum Disorders are reported to occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups, yet are on average 4 to 5 times more likely to occur in boys than in girls. According to the 2010 census, there are 46,735 people in Lincoln Parish with 9,627 (20.6%) of the total population being under the age of 18. Using a 1 in 88 ratio, there are 109 children, 0-18, with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Similarly, according to the State Special Education Data Profile, there are 140 people (ages 3-21) living in Lincoln Parish with autism and/or developmental delay. The Hope Center for Autism will, however, service those children ages 3-12, as well as their caregivers. Hope Center for Autism will implement the following programs/services for families affected by autism and related disorders. After-School S.N.A.C.K. (Special Needs Activity Center for Kids) The Hope Center for Autism would like to implement an after-school program for children ages 3-12 called After-School S.N.A.C.K. S.N.A.C.K. is an acronym for Special Needs Activity Center for Kids. Our program will focus on improving the following areas: Verbal Behavior/ Communication Skills Attention and Cooperation Motivation for Learning Self-help skills Play and Leisure Skills Social Interaction

3 We will also focus on reducing the following behaviors: Noncompliance Self-Injurious-Behavior Tantrums Transitioning Difficulties Other Problematic or Disruptive Behaviors Another unique component to After-school S.N.A.C.K. will be the utilization of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). ABA is not currently offered in Lincoln Parish. ABA teaches social, motor, and verbal behaviors as well as reasoning skills. ABA treatment is especially useful in teaching behaviors to children with autism who may otherwise not "pick up" these behaviors on their own as other children would. ABA is considered by many researchers and clinicians to be the most effective evidencebased therapeutic approach demonstrated thus far for children with autism. The U.S. Surgeon General states that thirty years of research on the ABA approach have shown very positive outcomes when ABA is used as an early intervention tool for autism. Autism Together Autism Together is a program intended to bring caregivers, educators, and the community together by way of: referrals, live meetings and events based upon interest and need, professionally facilitated seminars or support groups, and sponsorship of speakers and/or events that will benefit all in and around Ruston, Louisiana and Lincoln Parish. Respite Care/Parent Rejuvenation We d like to offer respite care for children with an autism spectrum disorder as well as their typically developing siblings for the sole purpose of giving parents a break. The divorce rate among parents of a child on the autism spectrum has been reported anywhere between 50-90%. While we do not believe autism in and of itself is the cause of divorce, we at Hope Center for Autism believe that the challenges associated with it can be overwhelming and could cause a marriage to dissolve. Because we strongly believe in the marriage and family unit and that children with autism are best supported by both parents, we d like to offer parents a chance to connect and recharge 1-2 times a month with the assurance that their children are in a safe and caring environment. In addition to respite care, we would like to offer referrals for Family and Marriage Counseling. Our goals and anticipated results of the program/services are as follows:

4 After 3 months of a child attending After-School S.N.A.C.K., at least 2/3(67%) of the parents will report a positive change in 2 out of 6 of the following categories: Verbal Behavior/ Communication Skills; Attention and Cooperation; Motivation for Learning; Self-help skills; Play and Leisure Skills; and Social Interaction and a decrease in 1 out 5 of the following negative behavior categories: Noncompliance; Self-Injurious-Behavior; Tantrums; Transitioning Difficulties; and Other Problematic or Disruptive Behaviors. After 3 months of being affiliated with the Autism Together program, our goal is that at least 2/3(67%) of parents or caregivers will report having increased access to the health, educational, and community services they feel they need related to Autism Spectrum Disorders as well as feeling less isolated and more connected to the autism community. After 6 months of participating in the Respite/Parent Rejuvenation program 2/3 (67%) of parents will report feeling more prepared and rejuvenated to manage the stressors of caring for an individual with autism. Our overall goal is to increase the quality of life for families affected by an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Currently, the Hope Center for Autism s greatest obstacles are lack of trained personnel and no facility to house its programs. Receiving a grant from the Lincoln Health Foundation would allow us to hire therapists and other support aides as well as rent a facility that could support and help both child and caregiver. It would also allow us to create an environment that is safe and specific to autism with special considerations given to the sensory needs of the children. Everything from lighting, sounds, smells and certain activities that cause negative responses would be taken into account. C. Organizational Capacity Hope Center for Autism is uniquely qualified to succeed because of its management team. Tiffany White has a personal understanding of the joys as well as challenges that come with caring for a child on the Autism Spectrum. Tiffany has spent the last 6 years as a stay at home mother to her son with autism as well as a typically developing daughter. She loves researching and finding out as much as possible about autism. She has a B.A. in Business Management and a Master in Business Administration. She has previously worked in the Banking/Finance Industry.

5 Maurice White is co-founder and father to a son with autism and a daughter. He supports his wife, Tiffany, on every level and believes strongly in her passion for the autism community. Maurice has a B.A. in English and an M. Div. in Biblical Languages. He pastors Zion Traveler Baptist Church in Ruston, LA. He encourages others through preaching, teaching, and counseling. He sits on several boards and committees including the Boys and Girls Club of North Central Louisiana. Brooke Owens is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and will be very instrumental in the advisement and implementation of Applied Behavior Analysis. Brooke has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis. She currently works as an Independent Consultant for ABA of Illinois and BGF Performance Systems, LLC. She has been working with families affected by autism for the past 8 years. The center will also be staffed by volunteers as well as professionals or persons studying in the fields of Applied Behavior Analysis, Speech and Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Early Childhood Behavior or Special Education.