|
|
|
Early Intensive Treatment Program
The EIT Program: A Family-centered Early Intervention Service for Children with Autism
Working with Families to Improve Louisiana’s Early Intervention Services for Children with Autism
Project Coordinator:
Nicole Lasserre, Ph.D., BCBA-D
1900 Gravier St.
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: 504.556.7552
e-mail: ntros1@lsuhsc.edu
Mission Statement
Parents are their children’s most important teachers. Children can learn important things while doing the things they do every day. Learning can happen at home or in other places in the community where children spend time.
The EIT Program is committed to helping ALL family members use research-based interventions. These techniques can be used to improve a child’s language and social skills. These techniques can also be used to reduce problematic behaviors.
Our mission is to provide parents with the tools, skills, and support that allow them to confidently guide their child’s growth and development.
The EIT Program is working with families to improve Louisiana’s early intervention services for children with autism.
Overview of the EIT Program
The EIT Program is a research project. It is a model of early intensive behavioral intervention. The early intervention team will teach family members of young children with autism to use research-based techniques. The techniques will be based on applied behavior analysis (ABA) and activity-based interventions.
The EIT Program is offered through the EarlySteps program. It is a joint project between the LSUHSC Human Development Center, the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, and the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council. You do not have to take part in this project. You can still receive services through EarlySteps even if you decide not to participate in this research project.
Our goal is to develop an early intervention treatment model for the rest of the state.
|
|
Training Series Offered
The EIT project will hold three free training sessions at separate locations in the State. The topic of the first three training sessions is Environmental Supports & Instructional Strategies for Children with ASD
Dates and Locations
Location: Jefferson Parish Public Library (East Bank)
4747 W. Napoleon Ave.
Metairie, LA 70001
Wednesday, September 2, 2009. 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Note: This training session has reached attendance capacity. If you register, we will notify you in case of a cancellation.
Click here to register for this training session.
Location: The Gladys Higdon Instructional Resource Center (Media Center)
502 Beauregard St.
Alexandria, LA
Wednesday, September 16, 2009. 8:30a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Click here to register for this training session
Location: Police Training Facility
1549 East Texas St
Bossier City, LA
Tuesday, September 15, 2009. 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Click here to register for this training session.
Be sure to FAX your registration to : 504.556.7570 before August 26, 2009.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Developmental disability usually noticed by age 3
• Affects people in different ways and to different degrees
• No known single cause
• Affects about 1 out of every 150 children in the U.S.
• Higher rate in boys
• Early diagnosis and treatment can lead to better outcomes
Early Intervention
What does the National Research Council (2001) say about early intervention?
• Be started as soon as possible and evaluated often;
• Provide at least 25 hours of intervention per week;
• Be based on research;
• Be specific to the child’s needs and include families; and
• Include frequent opportunities to teach skills.
The EIT Program: What are the components of our intervention model?
- A family-centered approach to treatment
- Support to families in piecing treatment goals and routines to use during intervention
- Training and support in the use of ABA and activity based intervention techniques
- Up to 10 hours of in-home support at the beginning of the project (support hours will be reduced as family members become comfortable using the intervention techniques they are taught)
- Help with identifying times to teach skills during everyday routines and activities to achieve at least 25 hours of intervention with the child each week.
|
