Growth in the Autism Community

Friday, December 16, 2011 FILED IN: Articles

The Autism community is growing each year with more children diagnosed and a range of new services and programs on offer. San Diego has a plethora of different support options, including therapists, tutors, social clubs, support groups, workshops and research bodies. Finding a program that meets the specific and unique needs of an individual with autism is key to ensuring their success in overcoming their particular difficulties and reaching their full potential. Some of the biggest struggles individuals with autism are faced with relate to social or behavioral challenges. One of the innovative services that is available to parents here in San Diego is an approach combining ABA therapy techniques, social skills coaching and using the natural opportunity model of working with children in environments that are exciting, fun, and comfortable This model has been designed by Xcite Steps founders Stefan Hochfilzer and Matt Winkley.

The approach has been developed over the last 6 years working with and supporting children, teens and adults with autism and other various disabilities. The newly launched ABA program at Xcite Steps provides a unique approach that allows children to receive assistance in their own home, in the classroom, and also in the community at their tailor-made weekend social clubs. This offers an opportunity to practice and generalise the freshly developed social, behavioral and communication skills in these different settings. This integrated approach in these three key settings is what sets Xcite Steps’s ABA program apart from other services. With budget cuts in schools and student-teacher ratios reaching new highs, it is increasingly difficult for children with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder to receive the individualised attention they need in the classroom. Having an Xcite Steps ABA tutor to go into the school and address the specific needs with working solutions helps set these children up for academic success. An ABA program is most successful when it is implemented consistently. This approach allows for a closer working relationship between parents, caregivers and teachers which ensures consistency, and has significant benefits for a child’s education and development. Many children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder will have had negative experiences in social settings and may have difficulties making friends. By integrating ABA services with Xcite Steps’ social clubs, children are given opportunities to meet with peers and learn and practice important social skills in a natural but coached environment. Most of all, it doesn’t seem like therapy for the child – they are able to make friends and have fun participating in exciting activities.

Xcite Steps embraces the philosophy that each child is an individual with unique needs, and as founder, Stefan Hochfilzer, says “students will thrive in an environment where their treatment plan is tailored to their specific needs and abilities, and where those are provided by a team of quality therapists or coaches who are all working together to find the best solutions for each client.” The individualized programming and personalized care that Xcite Steps provides is fundamental to helping children with social and behavioural challenges meet their full potential. For more information about the new ABA program launched at Xcite Steps, visit the website http://www.excitesteps.com/disability-services/applied-behavioral-analysis-aba/or call (858) 764-2956 to speak with a program director.