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Over 90 Years Experience

With over 90 years combined experience working in special education, our consultations group has the know-how to get the job done.

Read about our history, qualifications, and more

"For young children with autism spectrum disorders, who have little or no ability to communicate using conventional words or even gestures, hand biting, tantrums, or other disruptive behaviors become effective ways for the child to convey a message."

— National Research Council, 2001

Functional communication training, a primary component of applied behavior analysis, can teach a student how to use an augmentative and alternative communication system to appropriately and effectively express themselves.

"One third to one half of children with autism spectrum disorders do not possess functional speech."

— National Research Council, 2001

An augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) evaluation can help determine what type of communication system will be most efficient, effective and consistent for an individual.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children be screened for autism by their family pediatrician twice by the age of two, at 18 months and again at 24 months. The AAP also recommends that treatment be started when an autism diagnosis is suspected rather than waiting for a formal diagnosis.

— www.aap.org

Our consultants will support and work with you and your child regardless of the diagnosis. Heartspring’s free developmental screenings can assist in expediting the diagnosis process or help you find the appropriate services.

"Many challenging behaviors serve social and/or communication purposes."

— Do-Watch-Listen-Say, Quill 75, 2000

A functional behavior assessment can help determine what a child’s challenging behavior is trying to communicate. Once that is determined a functional communication system can be put in place to give the student a more appropriate and effective way of communicating their wants and needs, and decrease challenging behaviors.

Comprehensive Consultation Services

Heartspring's team of dedicated consultants brings over 90 years of combined experience providing educational intervention services to meet the unique needs of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disabilities from birth through adulthood. We are committed to delivering quality services using a comprehensive menu of research-based interventions and strategies. Our team focuses on the individual, targeting each aspect of their daily life in every environment.

Whether you are a parent needing support in the home, a school seeking to educate staff or a business in search of the appropriate support for an employee with a disability, our specialists develop a functional plan with recommendations that meet the needs of every individual.

Testimonials

"Please accept my family's deepest, most heartfelt thanks and appreciation for Camp SSTAR! We have never felt more peace or felt more motivated to bring our son to any other program since his birth. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for a wonderful and enriching experience this week. Thank you for caring about our son's ability to function socially in our society and for all children on the autism spectrum."

— Bob and Teresa, parents of a six-year-old boy with Asperger Syndrome, July 2008