AUTISM SERVICES
First Connections - Autism Services
Penfield’s First Connections program is specifically used to teach parents to address the unique needs of their toddler with autism. With the support of a trained interventionist, you will learn the skills and strategies to enable you to facilitate your child’s learning and development.
In the program, caregivers will learn new and powerful strategies to address the core characteristics of autism. These strategies which will change the way your child interacts with you and the social environment and significantly minimize the effects of autism.
The program focuses on the development of:
Social Interaction
Initiating interactions
Responding to the initiations of others
Sharing enjoyment
Making eye contact
Language Development
Articulate syllables and words
Using sounds to make words
Non-verbal communication
What our families are saying
“Penfield’s First Connections Autism program really just gave me all these tools and made me a lot more comfortable with the fact that I might have an autistic child. If I just keep going through all these techniques with him and keep refining them and keep growing with him. I really appreciate the pathways program.“
Mom- First Connections Program
“Before starting at Penfield, He didn’t find certain activities interesting. So it was really hard for me to really find something that he enjoyed doing. Through the First Connections Autism Program I learned different ways to engage him in things that I want him to do. I know how to make the activities he likes to do into, two people activity”
Mom- First Connections Program
Request Enrollment Information
Fill out the form below and one of our intake specialist will contact you to discuss the enrollment process for our First Connections Autism services.
What Caregivers Can Expect
What Caregivers Can Expect
A trained provider will come to your home to coach and provide strategies to build social attunement which will look like learning ways to engage your child in a fun and exciting way.
Through the guidance of the trained professional and a parent manual, you will learn:
- ways to create activities that are more fun with you than without you
- ways to get eye contact without demanding it
- ways to help your child learn to turn to their name
- beginning communication skills.
Visits occur one time per week for 60-90 minutes with daily activities for you to build into your routines between visits.
Frequently Asked Questions
First Connections Frequently Asked Questions
Does my child need a diagnosis?
No, your child does not need an autism diagnosis to enroll.
How old does my child need to be to participate?
The program is currently shown to be effective with children 14 months-6 years of age.
Where does the session take place?
Sessions take place in the child’s home.
How long is the program?
Visits occur one time per week for 60-90 minutes with daily activities for you to build into your routines between visits. The research show that progress is shown within twelve weeks.
Can I do First Connections and ABA therapy at the same time?
Although each program requires a significant time commitment, families are not discouraged from enrolling in First Connections while participating in ABA. Please be aware that families sign an agreement that states the family is available to meet with a provider for 60-90 minutes per week and are able to follow through on the suggested activities throughout the week.
What is the eligibilty criteria?
- CLTS funding or private payment
- Formal diagnosis of Autism or characteristics that could be indicative of Autism
- Ability to actively participate in weekly home based sessions for approximately 12 consecutive weeks
- Child is 5 1⁄2 years old or younger
Penfield Children’s Center uses Pathways Early Autism Intervention Model for our First Connections Autism Services, which is a research based parent training program targeting the skill of attunement or tuning into people, places, and activities. This program is specially designed for toddlers or young children who have been diagnosed with Autism or suspected of having Autism and/or a marked communication disorder.
Caregive Testimonials
Caregiver Testimonials
The First Connections Autism Services gives parents skills and techniques to practice with their child using household items they already have. Giving the caregiver guidance and support, they are able to work one on one with their child to develop new skills.
Hear from one of our families about their success with the program.
