The Community Autism Intervention Program (CAIP) serves children ages three through twelve with a medical diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Referrals are received through the Tuscaloosa County and Tuscaloosa City School systems for children who require more intensive services due to an Autism Spectrum Disorder. There are four services within the CAIP Program, a Preschool Demonstration Program, an Elementary Autism Classroom, a School Based Program, and a state wide training program for teachers, professionals, and parents.
A multidisciplinary team, which consists of psychiatrists, nurses, clinicians, social workers, Consumer Education Specialists, teachers, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, mental health workers, representatives of any outside agencies, school administrators, and parents meet monthly to review each child’s progress in the areas of communication and language, social skill development, independent living skills, and reducing any maladaptive behaviors . Interventions are prescribed individually and may include the PECS system (Picture Symbols), sign language, augmentative communication devices, sensory integration, floor time, social scripts and stories, TEACCH structured teaching, and ABA’s discrete trials.
The School Based program serves children with Autism by providing one to one services with each child within the public school environment. The Mental Health Workers receive intensive Autism training including training which is mandated by the Alabama Department of Mental Health and the Alabama Department of Human Services.
The Preschool Demonstration Program consists of two classrooms of 8 children in each classroom, ages three through five. Each class has an even number of children with Autism as well as typical children. These classrooms are located on the main Brewer-Porch campus, and focus on the research which proposes the most intensive services at the youngest age possible will afford children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder greater progress and independency while being served in a least restrictive environment. Data is collected on a daily basis to ensure quality individualized services. This program emphasizes a holistic, eclectic approach to Autism. Intensive multidisciplinary services, a large staff consisting of two certified teachers, two clinicians, and eight Mental Health Workers, and high parental involvement (through monthly Treatment Team meetings, monthly parent meetings, and mandatory parent training) are contributing factors to the success of the Preschool Program. A four month transition program enables the children to successfully enter a typical kindergarten program within the public school system.
The Elementary Autism Classroom is also located on the main Brewer-Porch campus and serves eight children ages six through twelve with a medical diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder. This classroom employs intensive Autism services and is designed to assist children that are having difficulty in a regular classroom environment to succeed and transition back to a lesser restrictive educational environment. The classroom is staffed with one certified teacher, one clinician and four to six Mental Health Workers. Monthly parent meetings, community field trips, high parental involvement, mandatory parent training, and outcome research projects are employed in this program.
One week training sessions are offered to parents and professionals throughout the state in conjunction with the Preschool Demonstration Program and Elementary Autism Classroom. Participants are trained to employ a wide variety of interventions in the area of Autism within the school and home environments. Daily sessions consist of afternoon training in specific interventions while mornings focus on direct implementation of those interventions in a supervised manner with the preschool and elementary children. You may call (205) 348-7910 for more information.
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