Socialization Training Program

Our Socialization Training Program (STP) is a research‐based model utilizing the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis to address the unique and complex challenges children and adolescents diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders experience in peer relations and socialization skills. Treatment programs are developed using the latest in assessment tools and research to determine each individual child’s needs, addressing areas such as joint attention, social referencing, imitation, play skills, social awareness, behavior skills, and language and conversation skills. Teaching occurs in a small group format, with each child working toward individual social skills and goals using visual and self-monitoring tools provided as appropriate. Training and support is provided to the parents and caregivers to ensure the successful transition of skills to the home and community. The end goal is the generalization and maintenance of social relationships and functioning in the natural environment throughout the child’s development.

Participants attend the Socialization Training Program at the level recommended by our program and agreed upon in a Planning Team Meeting (PTM).

Parents are expected to participate in order to maintain a place for their child within the program. The required level of participation for a parent includes at minimum one hour of STP-related activities per quarter. Opportunities in this area include volunteering in our STP, attendance at program-sponsored trainings (such as those available for social skills development, social supports for appropriate behavioral performance, and collaborative activities between STP and local groups who are available to support our participants in the community), or verification of attendance at a related activity in the community.

Referrals for services are made through the appropriate referring agency or private payer agreement. Client observation will be scheduled in order to assess the potential success of the participant in the program. The observation period will involve the completion of an initial assessment of the participant’s skills, strengths, and needs.