(TASC)
The Trinity Autism Support Center (TASC) provides individualized supports that allow children with autism to increase their independence so that they can live full and abundant lives. TASC provides services and support in the home so that children may continue to live with their natural families. The center is committed to meeting the needs of each child through individualized programming addressing needs in the areas of language, pre-academic and academic skills, play and social skills, self-help skills and behavioral supports.
The Autism Support Center serves children aged 2 to18 with primary diagnoses of autism or related disorders. The children typically receive 12 to 14 hours of services per week depending on their needs. Currently the program serves 30 children in parts of Will, Cook, Grundy and DuPage counties.
Children receive one-to-one therapeutic and educational intervention based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis to provide skill building and behavioral supports. This empirically based model teaches complex tasks in simple, clear steps and structures the environment to facilitate learning. Each child's current skill level is assessed and individualized programming is developed to ensure his or her continued success.
Every child is supported by a therapeutic team comprised of the child's family, the TASC director, a program coordinator and instructional staff. Instructional staff implement both structured programs addressing specific skills and therapeutic downtime activities promoting skill generalization so that each child is learning in a variety of environments and through a variety of activities. Program coordinators continuously evaluate the child's progress and add new skill building programs as previous skills are mastered. In addition, instructional staff receives regular evaluation and feedback regarding their interaction with the child and their use of proper teaching techniques through a Quality Adherence Scale.
Program data are collected on an ongoing basis so that each child's progress can be continually assessed and programming can be modified as needed to ensure that goals are met. Parents participate in monthly team meetings to discuss progress and needs and receive quarterly progress reports to summarize their child's advancement toward his or her goals. Additional benefits of the program include coordination with other service providers working with the child such as Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists, and school staff.
In addition to individualized programming in the home, TASC provides individualized community activities and "Social Group" activities. Community activities are designed to help the child learn appropriate self-help and social skills in a variety of settings and social groups provide an opportunity for children of all ages to interact with one another while practicing appropriate social interactions. A favorite activity of children and staff alike is the annual water park trip.
The Trinity Autism Support Center is directed by a Masters level Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Program Coordinators are, at minimum, Bachelors level professionals with a variety of experiences working with children with disabilities. Many instructors are university students who work on a part-time basis with several children. All instructors receive extensive training prior to working with each child in addition to ongoing training and support. The Trinity Autism Support Center team is committed to providing high quality, socially responsible, and cost-effective services to children with autism and their families.
The Autism Support Center can be contacted at 708-326-4112, or by sending an e-mail to Thane Dykstra.