info@thearcoftheozarks.org | (417) 864-7887 I T F NEWSLETTER SIGN UP ABOUT SERVICES OPPORTUNITIES NEWS CONTACT JOIN OUR TEAM DONATE COUNTERPOINT AUTISM Kelley Sikes Director of CounterPoint CONTACT KELLEY DID YOU KNOW? Autism is a developmental disability characterized by difficulties with social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, repetitive behaviors or narrow or obsessive interests. Asperger Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder all fall under the broad category of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). About 1 in 68 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to estimates from CDC's Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network. ASD is almost 5 times more common among boys (1 in 42) than among girls (1 in 189). COUNTERPOINT AUTISM As researchers are frantically searching for answers to the questions that autism presents, we continue to grapple with the challenges it brings. What happens to those children and their families as they become older and the support systems that worked really well for them as a child no longer fit their needs as an adult? The challenges they face as they move into their teen and young adult years are a relatively new frontier. To help address our needs locally, we have developed CounterPoint, a program with an autism focus. Some of the core components of the program are specialized staff training specific to autism such as communication, sensory, safety, behavior alternatives, physiological concerns and common deficiencies related to Autism Spectrum Disorders. In addition, staff learn appropriate social interaction focused on building meaningful relationships and daily adaptive skills. COUNTERPOINT SERVICES Residential Supports Our Residential Supports Program offers supervised living for adolescents and adults to assist them in living as independently as possible while participating in activities of interest, maintaining valued relationships and being active and respected members of the community. Residential Supports are provided in leased homes in local neighborhoods and communities and offer 24-hour staff supervision to help the individual implement their goals and monitor progress. Core components of our Residential Program are insuring needs are met, promoting self-determination and respecting choices in the least restrictive environment possible. Saturday Respite For families of children with autism, daily living demands constant planning and juggling. High healthcare costs can leave few funds for daycare or respite opportunities. Many parents, knowing their child's challenges intimately, struggle with the idea of leaving their children with strangers. The Saturday Respite Program is funded through the Southwest Missouri Autism Project which helps chosen agencies provide needed training and support to families. The goal of the Respite Program is to provide families whose children have autism a break one Saturday per month by offering supervised respite care. The program is based on a socio-recreational model that is consistent and structural. The program gives choices while teaching individuals how to respond to situations and persons in a natural environment. Saturday Respite is offered in both Springfield and Monett. Individuals must be eligible and receiving services through the Missouri Department of Mental Health Developmental Disabilities Division in order to participate. Family and Community Services Our department offers in-home, community-based, and clinic-based support for individuals receiving ABA services. Our direct staff work closely with families and ABA professionals to provide training on daily living skills and other individualized goals. Services include positive behavior supports that are individualized to each individual’s and family’s needs, and help individuals achieve greater levels of independence. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON AUTISM, VISIT THESE WEBSITES: www.nationalautismassociation.org www.autism.com www.missouriautismcoalition.com www.autismspeaks.org Southwest Missouri Autism Project Missouri Autism Report PRIVACY POLICY SURVEYS TRAINING ANNUAL REPORT CORPORATE DOCUMENTATION LOCATION Administrative Office 1501 East Pythian Springfield, MO 65802 Program Services Office 1721 West Elfindale Springfield, MO 65807 OFFICE HOURS M-F 8a–5p Sa-Su Closed EMAIL info@thearcoftheozarks.org PHONE (417) 864-7887 COPYRIGHT © 2015 Arc of the Ozarks site by Hook Creative PRIVACY POLICY