Treatment Program
The techniques used in teaching are based upon Applied Behavior Analytic practices such as Discrete Trial Teaching and Natural Environmental Teaching. The content of instruction covers a wide range of areas such as communication and language skills, gross and fine motor skills, cognitive and pre-academic skills, self-care, and most importantly, socialization skills. RSG has developed a comprehensive curriculum of individualized programs based upon nationally recognized research and best practices. Treatment is adjusted depending upon each child's particular symptoms and rapidity of learning, allowing for individual differences. Treatment typically begins with teaching basic skills in the first year and more advanced social, language and classroom management skills taught in the final years as the child progresses. During the beginning stages of treatment simple cooperation (reducing tantrums), requesting, self-help toileting, eating, etc.), motor/verbal imitation, receptive and expressive object/action labeling are emphasized. As treatment progresses toy play and classroom participation and other complex skills including imaginary play, describing feature, function & class, emotion recognition, conversation and basic cause and effect are taught with an emphasis on generalization to age appropriate group settings. Lastly, abstract language skills such as reasoning, empathy, observational learning, and social skills are targeted.
Direct 1:1 Therapy
RSG therapists work in a preschool setting, providing individual behavior therapy and behavioral shadowing within group activities with typical developing peers. RSG therapists are some of the most fully trained and capable. Each therapist completes a 10 month certification program. They receive comprehensive training in behavioral theory, reinforcement, the application of the discrete trial, the nuances of prompting and prompt–fading procedures, behavior management, generalization, maintenance of acquired skills, peer play, pre-school shadowing and social development. The therapists are supervised by two Clinical Supervisors who have been with the program since it first opened in 1986.
