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he Woods Autism RTF is a non-secure residential treatment facility providing comprehensive services for up to 28 children and adolescents (ages 6 to 21) who present with autistic disorder concomitant with psychiatric, emotional, developmental, and behavioral difficulties. The Woods Autism RTF is anticipating children who have communication difficulties, socialization challenges, and who engage in odd or repetitive and/or dangerous behaviors.
At Woods Autism RTF, social and communicative development is emphasized in the context of adaptive behavioral change. Therapeutic supports emphasizes evidence based approaches for treating children with autistic disorder. The primary emphasis for treatment will be derived from applied behavior analysis, significant supports from clinicians, psychiatry, nursing, and residential staff counselors. Supportive services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and nutritional services are available when deemed necessary.
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arget Population
The target population for the Woods Autism RTF will consist of children and adolescents (under 21 years of age) who have a DSM-IV Axis I diagnosis of autistic disorder or one of the related pervasive developmental disorders. Individuals who are referred to this program are likely to display symptoms of psychiatric disturbance of sufficient severity and/or frequency as to no longer be candidates for continued placement in the family home, public school, or similarly minimally restrictive setting.
These psychiatric symptoms may include:
- Aggression
- Self Injury
- Property Destruction
- General Non-Compliance
- Other Maladaptive Behaviors
The program is specifically designed to address the treatment needs of individuals on the lower end of the autism spectrum. The persons served in this program will have a functioning level consistent with intellectual disability, whether or not someone has actually applied that classification. The individuals will also have significant deficits in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive functioning in all of the individuals to be served in this program.
Underlying Treatment Principles
The Autism RTF uses a strength-based approach and tailors each child’s program to meet his/her individual needs. The approach has been to attempt to incorporate all aspects of a child’s functioning into the treatment planning. The treatment models are grounded in providing the structure and support necessary to help each individual feel safe, both physically and emotionally. Behavior change is able to occur within the safety of the environment. Children who have previously presented with socially inappropriate behaviors are able to develop healthier and more positive ways of interacting with the world, and coping with their psychiatric and emotional challenges. Within this broad context, several underlying treatment principles have remained consistent:
- Emotional Safety
- Resilience
- Recovery
- Milieu
- Evidence Based Practices
Treatment Components:
- Behavior Therapy
- Psychiatry
- Residential Programming
- Special Education
- Adjunctive Therapies (Occupational, Physical, & Speech Therapy)
- Medical Care
- Family Therapy & Parent Training
Clinical Team:
- Licensed Psychiatrist
- Clinical Psychologist
- Board Certified Behavioral Analyst
- Program Specialist
- Speech, Physical, and Occupational Therapists
- Certified Special Education Instructors
- Registered Nurses
- Staff Counselor
Staff Training
Given the expectation of behavioral expertise across all aspects of this program, staff will receive specific training geared toward working with children who have autism. This training will include, but not be limited to the following areas:
- Basic Applied Behavior Analysis
- Data Collection
- Reinforcement Strategies
- Functions of Behavior
- Autism Myths and Realities
- SMART Training (behavioral prevention)
