Outreach Assistance to Children and their Families
The Institute’s clinicians who provide outreach services to children and their families bring two essential ingredients to this partnership:
- A high level of skill in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)
- A set of values that respects, empowers, and acknowledges the strengths, abilities and preferences of each child and each family we serve.
We offer two services that are helpful to children and their families. Often, but not always, these take place in the home setting.
Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) services are designed for very young children, birth through 3, newly diagnosed with autism. This highly structured clinical program is aimed at remediating the fundamental problems of autism. Our well-trained clinicians and therapists provide evidence-based ABA services in close collaboration with the family. The strategies used to help children acquire skills such as paying attention, communicating, establishing eye contact and listening result from university-based research studies and are proven to be effective in helping children learn. IPPI clinicians help parents acquire teaching and child-management skills that enable them to be more effective at the difficult job of parenting. The Institute is also available to help create the smoothest transition possible into the world of school when the child turns three.
In-Home Supports help children ages 3-21 living at home who are struggling with various kinds of medical and developmental challenges. The Institute's staff assist these young people and their parents find solutions that reduce stress and make home life go more smoothly.When invited to do so, an Institute clinician enters the family home and studies the child’s behavior, helping to assess the activities, interactions, needs and interests of the child. This in-home observation is sufficiently in-depth to create a behavior plan likely to hit the mark in helping the child learn more adaptive methods of getting his or her needs met. The behavior plan devised by the clinician includes quite specific instructions for parents to follow on a daily basis, a helpful map of “how to’s” for encouraging positive behavior and opening up learning options that are satisfying to the child. Parents learn from the direct modeling that the clinician provides during instructional settings with the child. Home visits are flexibly scheduled to meet the family’s needs, and the plan is adapted based on what is and what is not working. Progress is measured carefully so growth can be applauded and “tweaks” in teaching methods can be made.
“Sarah was diagnosed with autism at 14 months. That was so overwhelming. Our IPPI clinician started helping us at 17 months and stayed with us until Sarah was 3 years old. She brought ABA to us, and definitely helped me learn the ins and outs of autism. She helped me communicate with my own child! ABA came through for us. It helped us expand Sarah’s language, and play with visual scripts to help show her play sequence. The clinician never talked over my head. She always broke things down and made me feel comfortable asking questions, even though she has a Ph.D. she’s family-oriented. She understands. Then she helped with our transition into public school when Sarah turned 3. She shared with me what to look for in the classroom environment and teaching approach, then helped me with questions regarding the school IEP. She made me feel good about the school district I was working with. When your child enters public school, it’s frightening. She helped me feel like I was not alone. Sarah’s doing well now, though her health challenges still get in the way. But I couldn’t imagine where she’d be if we hadn’t had this incredible help early on."
-Michelle Abbott, Sarah's mother and guardian
Sarah...the swimmer, the ballerina, the sweet, curious and incredibly determined sister and daughter.
Pictured: Sarah Abbott
“The IPPI clinicians are always a crucial part of a team to help children with complex needs. That team will include parents and other professionals. One of IPPI’s strengths is working in homes, helping with bedtime routines and other situations that are particularly stressful for the family.
-Nancy Dowey, Program Manager for Early Supports and Services, Gateways Community Services
“At this point she (clinician) comes to our house once a month and helps us update our goals for my son, Max. When I am struggling with a particular issue with Max, she asks a lot of questions, then taps out a plan on her laptop that she can leave with me. Sometimes she gets on the floor with him to try out some things directly with him, but her goal is always to leave me with the tools I need. At 7 years, he wasn’t toilet trained. She typed out a plan and it looked so simple that I said, “No way, that won’t work.” Two weeks later, he was trained during the day and in another month he was the using the toilet around the clock, even washing his hands. It was amazing. It boggled my mind that it worked. Max has made progress in communication, safety awareness, talking to people in the community. He has made so much improvement in the last 3 years."
-Melissa Casparro, Max’s mother and guardian
Mom, Melissa and sister, Ali, find Max's increasing confidence and hapiness contagious.
Pictured: Max Casparro
“Our 9-year-old Teddy is severely autistic and has lots of special needs. IPPI staff provide an after school program for him 2 hours each afternoon, Monday through Friday. This is great because at home he gets bored and is always tugging at my wife. Teddy gets some structured time doing things he likes in the community –things he can’t do in school or here at home – and we get to spend time with our other two kids, helping with homework and just spending time devoted to them. IPPI even gives Teddy some extra academics. This really helps our family.”
-Brad Canfield, Teddy’s father and guardian
No couch potato, Teddy enjoys invigorating swims 5 days a week, accompanied by his good friend and IPPI instructor Chuck.
Pictured: Teddy Canfield
To learn more about Child and Family Outreach Services, which may be funded privately, through private insurance, the local developmental disabilities area agency, the local school system, or cost-sharing arrangements, please contact:
Le’Ann Milinder, Ph.D., Director of Clinical Services (603) 224-8085
ABA Autism Initial Intake Line (603)224-8085 Ext. 328
Please leave your name and telephone number, an IPPI staff member will return your call as soon as possible.
