Help for clients on all levels of the Autism Spectrum
Many of us who work and/or live with Autism recognize that people on all severities on the Autism Spectrum have times when they seem to be existing in a world of their own. Depending upon the severity of the Autism, their actual participation in the world around them can be limited and inconsistent.
Chaos, change in schedule or environment, and high sensitivities to light, smell, sound or texture - all can overwhelm and, in effect, cause the autistic individual to "retreat" into that place which excludes others from participating or understanding. The fact is, the physical world is filled with stimulus, confusion, and chaos - so their own world is a much safer and more comfortable place in which to exist. They have "disoriented" themselves from the physical world.
These times of disorientation can be fleeting or may go on for many hours depending upon the circumstance. With extended periods of mental disorientation (or unorientation) to the physical world, many life concepts may have been missed during peak developmental periods...those missing concepts only serve to add to the confusion and chaos.
The goal of the Davis Autism Approach® program is to allow individuals with Autism to orient themselves to, and better understand, the world around them...and, ultimately, to participate fully in life.
Chaos, change in schedule or environment, and high sensitivities to light, smell, sound or texture - all can overwhelm and, in effect, cause the autistic individual to "retreat" into that place which excludes others from participating or understanding. The fact is, the physical world is filled with stimulus, confusion, and chaos - so their own world is a much safer and more comfortable place in which to exist. They have "disoriented" themselves from the physical world.
These times of disorientation can be fleeting or may go on for many hours depending upon the circumstance. With extended periods of mental disorientation (or unorientation) to the physical world, many life concepts may have been missed during peak developmental periods...those missing concepts only serve to add to the confusion and chaos.
The goal of the Davis Autism Approach® program is to allow individuals with Autism to orient themselves to, and better understand, the world around them...and, ultimately, to participate fully in life.
"The Davis Autism Approach has given our daughter tools to better understand the world around her. Her social anxiety is all but gone and she is engaging in ways we have not seen before. Thank you!”
A Three-Tiered Approach
1. Individuation: Using the tried and true methods developed by Ronald D. Davis in his highly recognized work with Dyslexia, the Davis Autism Approach will provide the tools for Autistic individuals to orient themselves mentally to the physical world (become present), as well as to better understand how to regulate their internal energy and stress levels.
2. Identity Development: Next, we can begin to address gaps in the life concepts that have been missed. The first concept is the idea of SELF ("me") - an essential piece of the puzzle that will enable individuation to start or restart, depending on the severity of the Autism. |
|
This is done via the Davis Concept Mastery® process, which involves using clay to create models that depict various life scenarios and concepts that are instrumental to making sense of the physical world around them. These concepts serve to develop a self-identity that is complete. These concepts include:
There are 33 concepts in total that are covered during the Identity Development phase of the program. Each concept builds on the next: first the concept is discussed, then built in clay, and then explored in the environment and at home. So, each concept is internalized before moving on to the next one.
These concepts can be facilitated one-on-one, or can be set up as a coached program (where a parent, loved one, or caretaker is coached by Just Imagine Solutions and they subsequently work through the concepts with the client).
These concepts can be facilitated one-on-one, or can be set up as a coached program (where a parent, loved one, or caretaker is coached by Just Imagine Solutions and they subsequently work through the concepts with the client).
3. Relationship Concepts: Upon completion of the life concepts, there is one more piece to the puzzle that will enable a person to participate more fully in life - having relationships with others!
During this phase of the program, we introduce the different kinds of relationships that there are in the world - some are based on rules, others on trust, etc. We then address behaviors and interactions that are appropriate within each type of relationship.
With these concepts, clients can now filter new experiences through their complete understanding of the world - making dealing with people and previously stressful situations a much easier process. Each client is different with respect to how quickly the concepts will affect behavior, but once mastered, their journey begins and there's no looking back!
More information on the Davis Autism Approach® (external link)
During this phase of the program, we introduce the different kinds of relationships that there are in the world - some are based on rules, others on trust, etc. We then address behaviors and interactions that are appropriate within each type of relationship.
With these concepts, clients can now filter new experiences through their complete understanding of the world - making dealing with people and previously stressful situations a much easier process. Each client is different with respect to how quickly the concepts will affect behavior, but once mastered, their journey begins and there's no looking back!
More information on the Davis Autism Approach® (external link)
Davis®, Davis Autism Approach®, Davis® Stepping Stones, and Davis® Concepts for Life are trademarks of Ronald D. Davis. Commercial use of these trademarks to identify educational, instructional, or therapeutic services requires licensing by the trademark owner.
How to get started:
Step 1: Information Session
It is important for the family and caregivers of the client to fully understand the program details, options for facilitation, and their personal involvement/commitment in the program. It is also an opportunity for family/caregivers to discuss the client's personal situation and determine if a consultation is an appropriate next step. Paperwork will be provided ahead of time and will be reviewed during this 2-hour meeting. Contact us today to schedule an Information Session!
Step 2: Client Consultation
If, after the Information Session, the parents/caregivers would like to pursue the Davis Autism Approach® Program, a meeting with the potential client will be necessary. At this half-hour meeting, we will assess the client's goals and ensure that there is a rapport between the client and facilitator.
Step 3: Program Scheduling
Assuming that all goes well at the Client Consultation, a program will be scheduled at the mutual convenience of all involved. Due to the fact that no two clients are the same, flexibility of scheduling with the Davis Autism Approach is necessary. Each individual must be guided through the program as will best suit his/her needs and pace.
It is important for the family and caregivers of the client to fully understand the program details, options for facilitation, and their personal involvement/commitment in the program. It is also an opportunity for family/caregivers to discuss the client's personal situation and determine if a consultation is an appropriate next step. Paperwork will be provided ahead of time and will be reviewed during this 2-hour meeting. Contact us today to schedule an Information Session!
Step 2: Client Consultation
If, after the Information Session, the parents/caregivers would like to pursue the Davis Autism Approach® Program, a meeting with the potential client will be necessary. At this half-hour meeting, we will assess the client's goals and ensure that there is a rapport between the client and facilitator.
Step 3: Program Scheduling
Assuming that all goes well at the Client Consultation, a program will be scheduled at the mutual convenience of all involved. Due to the fact that no two clients are the same, flexibility of scheduling with the Davis Autism Approach is necessary. Each individual must be guided through the program as will best suit his/her needs and pace.
Week One:
Because the first step of every Davis Autism Approach® program is Individuation, the first part of the program will always be facilitated by Just Imagine Solutions. At minimum, this will include:
Options for subsequent weeks:
1) Continue with one-to-one facilitation for the remainder of the concepts
Because the first step of every Davis Autism Approach® program is Individuation, the first part of the program will always be facilitated by Just Imagine Solutions. At minimum, this will include:
- Providing the tools for Orientation
- Working on the concept of SELF and its components
Options for subsequent weeks:
1) Continue with one-to-one facilitation for the remainder of the concepts
- Typically, two additional weeks will be needed to complete all of the life concepts and relationship concepts (subject to each individual's learning curve and pace)
- Subsequent weeks may be scheduled back-to-back, or with several weeks/months in between. If scheduled with breaks in between, exercises will be provided by the facilitator to be done at home.
- In a coached program, the parent or caregiver is facilitated through the concepts by Just Imagine Solutions, and is instructed on how to lead the client to mastery of each concept.
- The parent or caregiver then works directly with the client, following this instruction and guidance.
- The client progresses through the program at a pace that fits his/her lifestyle and at the family's convenience.
- Coaching can be done in person or via Zoom. This makes for a great option for families who are not local to Just Imagine Solutions.
- If necessary or if desired during a Coached Program, there is always opportunity to come back for facilitation through a concept, group of concepts, or for any other reason one-on-one facilitation is necessary.
Are you ready for a change?
Don't wait another minute to find help! Contact us TODAY for a phone consultation or assessment!
|
Professional services described as Davis®, including Davis Dyslexia Correction®, Davis Symbol Mastery®, Davis Orientation Counseling®, Davis® Attention Mastery, Davis® Math Mastery, and Davis® Reading Program for Young Learners may only be provided by persons who are trained and licensed as Davis Facilitators or Specialists by Davis Dyslexia Association International.
Davis®, Davis Autism Approach®, Davis® Stepping Stones, and Davis Concepts for Life® are trademarks of Ronald D. Davis. Professional services described as Davis Autism Approach® or Davis Concepts for Life® may only be provided by persons who are trained and licensed by the Ron Davis Autism Foundation.
Copyright 2022 - Marla Verdone, Just Imagine Solutions; Karen LoGiudice, Mind's Eye Marketing. All rights reserved.
Davis®, Davis Autism Approach®, Davis® Stepping Stones, and Davis Concepts for Life® are trademarks of Ronald D. Davis. Professional services described as Davis Autism Approach® or Davis Concepts for Life® may only be provided by persons who are trained and licensed by the Ron Davis Autism Foundation.
Copyright 2022 - Marla Verdone, Just Imagine Solutions; Karen LoGiudice, Mind's Eye Marketing. All rights reserved.