Kids On The Move

Our experienced staff of autism specialists work with families to train autism tutors, hired by individual families, through our in home training. This training includes:

• Ongoing training from our experienced consultant, for both parent and tutors, from our experienced consultant.
• Custom training designed with best practice interventions in mind.
• Flexible and progressive intervention model based on the latest available research.
• Weekly and bi-weekly team meetings are  held to maintain consistent and effective treatments.

Our ABA structured learning class is a three hour class that will provide structured sessions for children who need assistance with a variety of developmental skills. This class starts with 15 minutes in the gross motor room, followed by four 15 minute structured work sessions with brief free play time and group time in between. These structured work sessions use the discrete trial method and the principles of positive reinforcement to build skills as well as minimize problem behaviors. The goals of intervention, instructions and reinforcers are customized to address the strengths and needs of the individual child. Performance is measured by direct observation and data collection.

Classes are available 1-4 times per week. An assessment to determine current developmental levels is required before a child can begin.

Summer Class

The Adaptive Sports class combines Yoga therapy and adaptive team sports together to give children a balance of sensory integration, gross motor regulation and increased social interaction. Yoga therapy can help children of all abilities build a foundation of mutual trust and friendship. After the child warms up with poses, breathing and deep relaxation they will be engaged in team sports, such as tee-ball, soccer, and relay races.  This combination helps promote social connectedness, sensory modulation, and increased overall health while aiding the development of body awareness and concentration.

One of our first steps in getting to know your child involves an assessment. We understand that assessments are stressful for parents.  As a parent you may worry that the assessment may have limitations that will not show your child in the best light or that your child is simply having a bad day and will be labeled because of this. All of these factors are taken into consideration by evaluating the child in a variety of environments over a series of time. We use the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) as our protocol in these assessments. This is how we develop the individual goals that we will work with your child on during classes.

Classes meet twice a week for 2 hours each time. Classes are structured similar to a preschool format, with a small classroom setting that includes typical peer models. Both structured learning and relationship based engagement activities are used, taking into account the individual needs of each child.  Bridges team members:

• Work together to meet the child where he or she is
• Create motivating opportunities for growth
• Increase skills acquisition
• Child-adult ratio can be decreased and child independence increased

These groups meet once a week for 1 hour.  Each child must bring a typically developing sibling or friend. We have two levels, Social Group A and Social Group B.

Group A: Foundational– This is where the building blocks of friendship begin. This group is designed to help children increase awareness of others as well as increase their comfort level in group settings.

Group B: This group is designed to further develop the skills of children who are already able to communicate some of their needs and show a consistent awareness of their peers.

Groups include both typically developing children and those with developmental delays common to Autism Spectrum Disorders.  All classes include:

• Sensory warm-up
• Planned and strategic social experiences
• Engagement opportunities
• Naturally motivating activities involving others

Offered Year Round!

Children benefit from developmental toys targeted to their specific needs and growth stages. These toys are often difficult to find or may be very expensive. Our lending library gives families access to the right toys at the right time. These toys are designed for parent-child interactions, not necessarily for independent play.

A deposit and minimal monthly fee is necessary to gain access. All items for check-out are available for review on our website or in a catalog housed in the library.

Bridges offers autism diagnostic testing done by a licensed clinical social worker with over 20 years of autism experience. Diagnosis will be done in collaboration with the Bridges team and reviewed and signed by Dr. Mikle South. Diagnostic testing tools will include the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), which is the gold standard for assessing and diagnosing Autism and Pervasive Development Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PPD-NOS) for ages 3 and up with varying development levels and languages skills.

This parent class meets once a week (1 1/2 hours) for 4 weeks.  Parents learn the theory and practice of Floortime, a nationally accepted and research-based program which focuses on improving the child’s skills through parent-child interactions specifically designed to address the child’s deficits.

A developmental specialist with expertise in Autism will come to your home and design regular plans to help you. The plans are tailored to address specific concerns you have,  such as potty training, social engagement, and language acquisition.

This is a great supplement for families utilizing services in the school district or through other community resources.

Summer Class

This parent-child class is offered 1 time per week for an hour. Children and their parents are engaged in a musical environment with other children, all facilitated by licensed Kindermusik instructors. The instructors also use their knowledge as Early Intervention Specialists to make special adaptations for children with Autism.

Parent support group meets monthly on the first Wednesday of each month.

This group is free to all participants and open to the general public - but please note that topics are geared to parents of younger children. The group is faciliated by Karen Fairchild, LCSW. Child care is available if you call Kathy at 801-221- 9930 to reserve a spot.

Parent University is a series of courses designed to assist parents and caregivers living with kids diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders or similar developmental delays. The classes have been created by experienced professionals in their respective fields. Classes are held the first Wednesday of every month at 6:30pm in the upper portion of the KOTM library. Childcare is available if reserved in advance by calling the receptionist at (801) 221-9930.

Summer Class

Sensory Social Fun is a class designed for children who would benefit from a specific sensory focused experience.  All senses, including sight, sound, smell, touch, taste, balance and body in space are involved in a variety of activities and games.  This class is hands on for the child and will include many “messy” times, such as finger painting, water play, and sandbox time, to help acclimate children to a variety of tactile experiences.