University of Redlands
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Email this pageRedlands Seeks to Help Parents of Autistic Children
Contact: Cynthia Wineinger
cynthia_wineinger@redlands.edu
(909) 748-8559 (Phone)
July 9, 2008 -
The University of Redlands Department of Communicative Disorders is looking for parents interested in a program designed to encourage language development in young autistic children.
The “More Than Words†program is a 12-week education program available to parents of autistic children between the ages of 2 and 6. The program is designed to help parents foster interaction and communication with their autistic children in the course of day-to-day life.
Parents are asked to attend eight group sessions, as well as participate in four individual video feedback sessions. In the video sessions, parents are videotaped interacting with their children and then lead through a self-evaluation of how well they used the program's strategies.
"This is a way for parents to learn more about how to be their child's communication therapist," said Cynthia Wineinger, a Communicative Disorders professor and speech-language pathologist trained in the program. "It teaches them how to teach communication as part of daily routines like feeding, bathing and putting children to bed. The goal is for the practices to be part of the daily routine and to eventually become automatic."
The “More Than Words†program was developed by the Hanen Centre in
Wineinger is certified by the Hanen Centre to teach its courses.
The 12-week program costs $450. Reduced fees may be available in cases of extreme financial hardship.
Parents interested in participating in the program can contact Wineinger at (909)748-8559 or Cynthia_Wineinger@redlands.edu for more information.