Group Therapy
The Laboratory to Teach Basic Skills    
The Lab is an extension of individual therapy sesions and brings together a small group of children in the same general setting. Children's goals are similar to those for individual therapy, with the addition of opportunities for children to be exposed to their peers. Most of the sessions will be devoted to individual discrete trial training; however, children will come together as a group for some instructional and social activities.

A series of instructional objectives is developed for each child based on individual assessment. The number of sessions per week and their duration may vary from year to year based on the needs of the children and the resources of the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Generally, there are two 1.5 hour sessions that include a series of individual and group learning activities that address children's goals. The instructional model is based on principles and research from applied behavior analysis, as well as other empirically supported approaches.

Clinicians for the program are graduate students in the Behavior Analysis and Therapy and Communications Disorders and Sciences programs in the Rehabilitation Institute at Southern Illinois University. Parents observe sessions and are instructed to extend teaching activities to the home. Faculty from the Behavior Analysis and Therapy and Communication Disorders and Sciences programs supervise this Laboratory program.

The Laboratory to Promote Social Interaction    
The Laboratory to Promote Social Interaction serves preschool age children with autism spectrum disorders. The primary goal of this program is to enhance the development of children's communication and social interaction skills, as well as reduce their challenging behavior. Professionals and parents from the region refer children to the program. Children whose instructional goals are similar to the other children in the program are selected for participation. In addition, selection of children is based on the requirements imposed by external funding agencies, and the training needs of SIU graduate students.

A series of instructional objectives is developed for each child based on individual assessment. For children who are in a preschool program, a primary source of objectives is direct observation of children’s performance discrepancies from their classroom requirements. In addition, instructional objectives are based on the requirements of typical preschool classroom activities, as well as assessments administered at our Center.

The number of sessions per week and their duration may vary from year to year based on the needs of the children and the resources of the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Generally, there are two weekly 1.5 hour sessions that include a series of individual and group learning activities that address children’s goals. Sessions includes both individual and group training activities that incorporate materials and tasks preferred by the children. The instructional model is based on principles and research from applied behavior analysis, as well as other empirically supported approaches.

Clinicians for the program are graduate students in the Behavior Analysis and Therapy and Communications Disorders and Sciences programs in the Rehabilitation Institute at Southern Illinois University. In addition to conducting sessions in the Laboratory, clinicians may observe children in their schools and homes, provide support there, and consult with classroom teachers and parents. Parents observe sessions and are instructed to extend teaching activities to the home. Faculty from the Behavior Analysis and Therapy and Communication Disorders and Sciences programs supervise this Laboratory program.
The Laboratory to Support Full Inclusion    
The Laboratory to Support Full Inclusion serves children with autism spectrum disorders, who also may be enrolled in a community preschool or school program. Children range from 4-6 years of age, and typically are either included in regular classrooms or their goal is to be transitioned into a regular classroom in the near future. The primary goal of the Laboratory program is to enhance the success of the children in either regular classes or another least restrictive school environment. Area professionals and parents refer children to this lab program. Children whose instructional goals are similar to those of the other children in the program are considered for participation. In addition, selection of children is based on the requirements imposed by external funding agencies, and the training needs of SIU graduate students.

A series of instructional objectives is developed for each child based on an individual assessment. A primary source of objectives is direct observation of children’s performance discrepancies from their school classroom requirements. In addition, objectives are based on children’s future classroom activities, as well as criterion based assessment. Participants already have basic language and social skills. Their goals include more advanced language and social skills, and problem behavior reduction.

The number of sessions per week and their duration may vary from year to year based on the needs of the children and the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Generally, there are two weekly 1.5 hour sessions that include a series of learning activities that address children’s goals. The session includes group training activities that incorporate materials and tasks preferred by the children. The instructional model is based on principles and research from applied behavior analysis, as well as other empirically supported approaches.

Clinicians for the program are graduate students in the Behavior Analysis and Therapy and Communications Disorders and Sciences programs in the Rehabilitation Institute at Southern Illinois University. In addition to conducting sessions in the Laboratory, clinicians observe children in their schools, provide intervention there, and consult with classroom teachers. Parents observe campus sessions on video monitors and are asked to extend teaching activities to the home. Faculty from the Behavior Analysis and Therapy and Communication Disorders and Sciences programs supervise the Laboratory program.

During summers, one of the primary focuses of this Lab is to support the inclusion of children in community settings and activities. Participants have ranged in age from 6 to 12. In addition to work on social skills, self-management, behavior management, and other age appropriate skills in the Lab, children are taught to perform these skills in various community settings. The Lab has prepared children to participate in age appropriate functional community activities such as bowling, miniature golfing, shopping at Wal-Mart, picnicking and playing at a park, and going on paddle boats and to a lake beach.