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Pennsylvania has been working hard to develop quality Autism Spectrum Disorder services. In 2003, Estelle Richman, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, created the Autism Task Force while was charged with developing plans for new systems for individuals living with Autism and their families. Ruby Moye` Salazar, L.C.S.W., B.C.D., DIR® Senior Faculty, and ICDL Advisory Board, was invited to be a member of this Autism Task Force and in particular a member of the Educational Committee, making recommendations to improve the professionals working with Autism Spectrum Disorder persons and their families and the services provided.

In 2006, a collaboration between Department of Public Welfare and Department of Education of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania established the Pennsylvania Autism Assessment and Diagnosis Expert Work Group to define consistent and practical standards for evaluation and diagnosis of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and provide structure and guidance for clinical teams to implement high quality evaluations of children with Autism. Dr Ruby Salazar's contributions, as a member of this expert Workgroup, especially focused on the importance of the family in the evaluation process. The Standards have been completed and will be available for publication soon. To read the recommendations of the work group, click here.

  
   
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The PLAY Project® (Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters) trains child-development professionals to provide intensive interventions for families of children with autism spectrum disorders. Richard Solomon MD, Medical Director of The Ann Arbor Center for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, developed this practical application of DIR® in response to the national need for intensive services for young children with autism. The program uses a ‘train-the-trainer’ model.

  • The Agency Training provides tools and guidelines for delivering a practical and effective Home Consultation program - assessment forms, videotaping, reviewing of films and preparing family feedback reports, appropriate toys, contracts and fees for these services, referrals, and other administrative matters.
  • Through the Home Consultation model, therapists provide coaching, modeling and feedback to families during monthly home visits. The parents then learn to interact effectively with their young children with autistic spectrum disorders.
  • Home Consultants typically have a masters degree and are licensed in relevant fields, such as occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, or social work.
  • The program is reproducible, can be tested and can be taught. The PLAY Project model has been disseminated to more than 40 agencies operating in 15 states.
  • The evidence for the effectiveness of The PLAY Project has been accepted for publication by the peer-reviewed British journal, Autism (May 2007). The PLAY Project has also been awarded a research grant by the National Institute of Mental Health to conduct a randomized, controlled clinical trial. 

For more information contact: Jim Lyddy, Executive Director, The Ann Arbor Center for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 3135 S. State St., Ann Arbor MI 48108; jim@aacenter.org, p. (734)-997-9088, f. (734)-997-9211, www.playproject.org

  
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