The Son-Rise Program® at The Autism Treatment Center of America™
First Developed:
1974 - Innovated by Barry Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman, first in a successful program they created for their own son, then in an in-depth training model and program for children worldwide.
Overall philosophy:
The Son-Rise Program® created an educational treatment modality that included joining children instead of going against them. The program places parents as key teachers, therapists and directors of their own programs based in the home. The Son-Rise Program® believes that respect and deep caring would be the most important factor impacting a child's motivation to learn, and from the beginning has made love and acceptance a meaningful part of every teaching process. Once rapport has been established, teaching techniques are used to help the child develop.
The Son-Rise Program® helps build a relationship between you (the parent) and your autistic child.
The program teaches to:
- Establish a warm, interactive rapport with your child.
- Implement effective educational techniques.
- Enable your child to move beyond repetitive “stimming” behaviors.
- Move through challenging behaviors (such as tantrums or hitting).
- Become a confident teacher and advocate for your child.
- Motivate your child to learn–and to enjoy learning.
- Optimize your child's learning environment.
- Jump-start speech and language development.
- Relax and have fun–without giving up what you want for yourself and your child.
- Recruit and train a team of volunteers and helpers.
- Find a sense of peace and comfort with your child's present challenges.
- Create and sustain an attitude of hope and optimism about your child's future.
Popularity:
Approximate number of children on the autistic spectrum that participated in this treatment in 2004: 350
Approximate number of children on the autistic spectrum that participated in this treatment from 2000 to 2004 (the past five years): 1500
Approximate number of children on the autistic spectrum that participated in this treatment from 1995 to 2004 (the past ten years): 2500
Time required to do the treatment:
The recommended number of hours for a home-based Son-Rise Program is determined by the child's individual level of challenge and the family's current situation.
Treatment cost:
$1,995 for the Son-Rise Start-Up, a five-day training program that delivers comprehensive instruction in the core fundamentals of The Son-Rise Program®. Scholarships are based on a family's current financial situation.
Who directs the treatment?
The child's parents.
Where does the treatment take place?
The initial training program, The Son-Rise Program® Start-Up, takes place at The Autism Treatment Center of America™ in Sheffield, Mass., as well as one international location each year. Parents then work with their children in their home.
Training materials available:
Many books and audiotapes, as well as the Son-Rise Program Start-Up Manual (manual given during Start-Up Program)
Biggest success story:
Raun Kaufman, for whom The Son-Rise Program® was created, was diagnosed as severely autistic, and spent most of his time at age two spinning plates, and then went on to become a completely typical young man who later graduated from an Ivy League university. Raun now works directly with Son-Rise Program® families.
Web site:
www.autismtreatmentcenter.org