LEADING THE WAY IN THE SUCCESSFUL
TREATMENT OF AUTISM
To ensure effective treatment and optimal outcomes, parent participation plays an integral role in treatment at CARD. Research has proven that successful parental integration and education throughout ABA treatment contributes to treatment success. Our Family Services Department maximizes outcomes by offering CARD families multiple ways to increase their knowledge of ABA and giving them the tools necessary to be successful by offering continual parent education and consultation.
Family Orientation involves meeting with a senior-level clinician to provide answers, resources, and knowledge to your family as you begin our ABA program. The primary goal of Family Orientation is to prepare family members to participate effectively in our ABA program, answer questions, and connect families to all of CARD’s resources.
At the conclusion of the Family Orientation meeting, you will be asked to choose several Continuing Family Education (CFE) modules from the Institute for Behavioral Training (IBT) to complete as supplemental parent education. While you will receive an abundance of education directly from your local supervisor at clinical meetings, group trainings, observations, and continual consultations, these supplemental modules will give you more knowledge and education in areas of special interest to you. These are self-directed, home study modules that can be completed at any time. , targeted to enhance your understanding of and participation in the treatment plan.
Family Support Services (FSS) provides each family with a senior clinician who continuously checks in and monitors how your family is integrating into the treatment plan, offering suggestions, advice, and guidance and acting as an accessible resource when questions or concerns arise. As the patient’s developmental needs change, so do your family’s.
A family support expert will be your local liaison to the Family Services Department. Family support experts conduct quality assurance assessments of our services with parents, assist in parent training, participate with the therapist liaisons’ in setting up events for families, and aid in the development of local services and resources for families.
To help support the entire family, CARD offers individual, adolescent, couples, and marriage counseling at various office locations. CARD’s team of highly trained and licensed mental health professionals understands the balance needed to manage a successful ABA program while addressing the needs of the entire family. CARD Counseling Services are designed to help the entire family with issues, such as communication problems in a marriage, feelings of loneliness, lack of support, and the need to relax and process.
CARD Round Tables are monthly or quarterly support meetings for parents to further their education. Activities range from a guest speaker to attending an event with other CARD parents to build that support network with each other.
CARD PTA groups are comprised of parents who want to get more intimately involved with the care, resources, and support available at their local office. They work alongside local CARD management to develop supportive services and resources for their local families and to increase awareness of CARD services in the community. Please consult with your local CARD management team for more specific information in your area.
