Easter Seals Disability Services

Services for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

 Fall 2009 Parent Autism Support Group Calendar

Regional Autism Summit

The following information has been gathered from the Summit and the 10 county focus groups.

Summary of Community Needs Assessment (pdf)*

Autism Resource Directory

The Regional Autism Summit included professionals and caregivers of individuals with autism in a 10 county region of Northeast Kansas. This region includes: Douglas, Jackson, Jefferson, Lyon, Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Riley, Shawnee and Wabaunsee Counties. 

The summit was held on Friday, September 19, 2008 at Easter Seals Capper Foundation. There were around 64 attendees and many facilitators and speakers.

Easter Seals Capper Foundation believes that all individuals with autism deserve evidence-based interventions that will allow them to reach their full potential.  A grant through the Topeka Community Foundation has underwritten our efforts to encourage collaboration and improve and expand services for families experiencing autism in Northeast Kansas.

The purpose of the Regional Autism Summit was threefold:

• To review the autism needs assessment performed through the autism focus group meetings held in each of the 10 counties this past Spring.
  
• To prioritize the needs and develop recommendations to address the gaps in service.
  
• To lay the groundwork for improving collaboration between parents and service providers and encouraging organizations to commit to improve services and seek funding for expanding services.

Autism Spectrum Resource Center

Autism Resource Directory

Parent support groups meet monthly for discussion and education.(pdf flyer)*

Information and referral services for parents, families and professionals living and working with children with ASD.  Staff development workshops may be scheduled for interested groups. Contact the resource center by calling 785-272-4060 ext. 7340 or e-mail autism@capper.easterseals.com.


Occupational Therapy Services

Evaluation and treatment of children suspected of having deficits in taking in, interpreting and responding appropriately to sensory input (sensory processing disorder). In addition, evaluation and treatment of children having coordination disorders affecting functional fine motor skills (writing, buttoning, etc.) and functional gross motor skills (jumping, climbing, ball handling, etc.).

Speech Therapy Services

Evaluation and treatment of children who have difficulty using and understanding language. Services may include augmentative communication devices.

Kidlink Preschool and Childcare Services

A full-day preschool/childcare program for children 2 1/2 to 6 years of age. The program is directed by an Early Childhood Special Education Instructor. Approximately 20-25% of the children have disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder.

Professional and Family Training Program

Capper sponsors seminars and instructional classes for parents and professionals with a variety of topics related to ASD. Local, regional and national presenters with expertise related to the diagnosis are scheduled periodically.

Additional Information about Autism Spectrum Disorders

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about ASD (pdf format*)

Key Messages about ASD (pdf format)

Easter Seals autism website http://autism.easterseals.com/

*The Adobe Acrobat Reader is needed to view PDF files. If you do not have the reader, you may download it for free at: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html