Project ImPACT
Project ImPACT (Improving Parents as Communication Teachers) is an evidence-based parent coaching program that teaches parents of very young children (ages 12-24 months at intake) to promote their child’s social-communication skills during daily routines and activities. Behavioral therapists work directly with the parents and child together in individual sessions, typically during two 1.5 hour sessions per week for 12 weeks. Project ImPACT uses a blend of developmental and naturalistic behavioral intervention strategies to teach social engagement, language, imitation, and play and has been adapted for use with infants and young toddlers. Developmental techniques are taught first to promote parent responsiveness and improve social reciprocity. Naturalistic behavioral techniques are taught next as a way of teaching specific language, imitation, and play behaviors.
What To Expect
Sessions begin with a parent interview, assessments of the toddler’s skills and an observation of parent(s) and child playing together. The therapist and parent(s) work together to develop goals and choose appropriate intervention strategies. Therapists then model the strategies and provide parents with opportunities to practice these strategies and receive feedback while in the clinic. Parents are provided with concrete ideas for using the techniques at home.
Each of our therapists has a doctoral or master’s degree and extensive experience working with children with autism and other behavioral challenges and their families. They are all highly trained in the intervention techniques used in Project ImPACT. Therapists are supervised by Drs. Aubyn Stahmer & Lauren Brookman-Frazee, both clinical psychologists with extensive experience conducting clinical work and research in evidence-based intervention strategies.
Parent-Child Developmental & Behavioral Therapy
Parent-Child Developmental and Behavioral Therapy is designed to help parents facilitate social interaction, play, language and appropriate behavior in their children. Behavioral therapists work directly with the parents and child together in individual sessions, typically one hour a week for 12 weeks. Specific strategies are individualized based on the needs of the child and family. Common intervention strategies that may be implemented include: Pivotal Response Training, DIR/Floortime, Picture Exchange Communication System, positive behavioral support, functional analysis, visual support strategies and other developmentally appropriate strategies.
What To Expect
Sessions begin with a parent interview, assessments of the child’s skills and an observation of parent(s) and child playing together. The therapist and parent(s) work together to develop goals and choose appropriate intervention strategies. Therapists then model the strategies and provide parents with opportunities to practice these strategies and receive feedback while in the clinic. Parents are provided with concrete ideas for using the techniques at home.
Each of our therapists has a doctoral or master’s degree and extensive experience working with children with autism and other behavioral challenges and their families. They are all highly trained in each of the intervention techniques used in our program. Therapists are supervised by Dr. Aubyn Stahmer, a clinical psychologist with almost 20 years of experience conducting clinical work and research in evidence-based intervention strategies.
Click here to see what parents who have participated in PC-DBT have to say about the program!
Behavioral Consultation
Behavioral consultation teaches and empowers parents of children with autism spectrum disorders, ages 0-18, to be able to manage difficult problem behaviors. Parents and child meet with a doctoral- or master’s-level behavior support specialist to discuss and apply procedures to improve difficult behaviors and increase appropriate behaviors. Target behaviors may include improving self-help skills, increasing compliance and developing appropriate sleep behaviors. The number of consultation sessions depend on the child’s and family’s needs.