Improving outcomes
Thompson Foundation enhances Early Intervention Services with $100,000 gift
The Thompson Foundation for Autism recently presented the Behavior and Education programs arm of the Thompson Center with a $100,000 gift to strengthen and expand services for young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their families. The gift contains three primary objectives:
- Children will have more rapid access to Early Intensive Behavioral Interventions;
- Parents will have improved access to information about autism and to support services;
- Parents will be trained in strategies that support their child’s development.
With these enhancements to current Thompson Center programs, children with ASD are more likely to thrive and families are likely to cope better. Research about ASDs clearly shows that early intervention and effective parent training can improve a child’s developing skills and enhance family coping. However, parents faced with this life-altering diagnosis often report difficulties navigating a complex and fragmented system of care to access appropriate services. Wait lists for individual child treatments can be lengthy; delays in care are common. Parents often become confused and frustrated and critical intervention time is lost.
As families complete the diagnostic process at the Thompson Center, they are armed with a clearer understanding of their child’s unique developmental patterns and they have written recommendations about needed services. This project proposes early intervention enhancements at the Thompson Center so parents can access a continuum of care following ASD diagnosis and children have more rapid access to developmental and behavioral treatments.
