Why not just see separate specialists? You can. Individual sessions really do help develop specific skills. But when each specialist works on their own, parents inevitably find that they are the ones who have to bring the child's whole development plan together: comparing advice and making sure the goals don't contradict each other.
What changes when the center builds the system
In a comprehensive program, the center organizes this process. What it gives the family:
- all specialists work toward a shared goal;
- each one sees colleagues' results and adjusts their own work;
- parents get one consistent set of recommendations instead of different advice from each specialist;
- the program is regularly adjusted as results are achieved;
- new skills take hold faster in the child's everyday life.
As the center puts it: "We don't sell more sessions. We create a single development system in which each specialist complements the work of the others." That's why a comprehensive program gives more stable and predictable results.
The Shared Goals program
Shared Goals was developed by a speech therapist and special education teacher together with an applied behavior analysis (ABA) specialist. The program combines ABA therapy, speech therapy and Adaptive Physical Education (Adaptive PE). Each specialist works within their own expertise, but all areas are connected by a shared program and the child's shared goals.
The program's four areas:
- speech development;
- communication, social skills, independence, leisure, learning behavior and academic skills;
- physical development of the body;
- transferring skills to a group, to different specialists, and to different settings and environments.
What develops
Within the program, children develop speech and communication, social interaction, learning behavior, independence, academic skills, the ability to work in a group, following rules and instructions in different settings, motor planning and coordination. The main thing is that the child can use each new skill not only in sessions but in real life.
The center's five principles
Work at the Neuron center is built on five principles:
- comprehensive assessment: before the program starts, specialists in each area assess the child's development using modern methods;
- an individual plan: each child gets their own plan that takes into account their needs and the family's goals;
- international supervision: the specialists' work is supported by international experts;
- one team: ABA, the speech therapist, Adaptive PE and the case coordinator follow one program;
- ongoing family support: feedback, recommendations and a clear understanding of the goals at every stage.
Who it's for
The program is suitable for children with ASD, speech delay, delayed psycho-speech development, developmental delay, intellectual disabilities, and difficulties with communication, learning and behavior. If you're not sure whether your child needs a comprehensive program or one specialist is enough for now, you can discuss it at the first consultation.