Is the Unumb Center a school?
We are a not-for-profit behavioral health clinic, not a licensed school. SC law requires children between the ages of 6-21 to be enrolled in public, private, or home school.
How do I know if my child is making progress?
A Program Manager (BCBA) will meet with parent/guardian monthly to review progress, concerns & success in clinic and at home.
Behavior Technicians (RBT) who work with your child will also document data throughout the day. A copy of this document (Session Note or “Daily Messenger”) will be provided to you at the end of the therapy day.
Do you provide after hours communications?
Our practice does NOT provide 24-hour crisis availability. In an emergency, when you are unable to reach us or cannot wait for a returned phone-call/email, please contact the proper emergency room or 911.
How is my child’s number of hours of service determined?
We provides services for the number of hours determined needed for each child as a medical necessity. This will be determined by the BCBA during the assessment. Your child’s schedule will be determined following the assessment & must be adhered too.
Will my child have the same plan as each other child?
Absolutely Not. We are not a cookie-cutter model. Each child receives an individualized plan, specific to their needs; created, administered, and adjusted along the way by a board-certified expert with your goals and your child’s best interests at heart.
What causes autism?
According to the Autism Speaks website, there is no known single cause for autism, although the best available science points to important genetic components.” In the presence of a genetic predisposition to autism, a number of non-genetic, or “environmental,” stresses appear to further increase a child’s risk. The clearest evidence of these autism risk factors involves events before and during birth. It is important to keep in mind that these factors, by themselves, do not cause autism. Rather, in combination with genetic risk factors, they appear to modestly increase risk.”
How common is autism?
Autism statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identify around 1 in 68 American children as on the autism spectrum–a ten-fold increase in prevalence in 40 years. Careful research shows that this increase is only partly explained by improved diagnosis and awareness. Studies also show that autism is four to five times more common among boys than girls. An estimated 1 out of 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls are diagnosed with autism in the United States.
What are the early warning signs of autism?
Though autism cannot be definitively diagnosed until around 18 to 24 months, research shows that children as young as 8 to 12 months may exhibit early signs. Parents should look for the following symptoms:
- No big smiles by 6 months
- No babbling by 12 months
- No words by 16 months
- No two-word phrases by 24 months
- Any loss of speech at any age
What are treatment options for autism?
Scientists agree that the earlier in life a child receives early intervention services the better the child’s prognosis. All children with autism can benefit from early intervention, and some may gain enough skills to be able to attend mainstream school. As soon as autism is diagnosed, early intervention instruction should begin. Effective programs focus on developing communication, social, and cognitive skills.
The most effective treatments available today are applied behavioral analysis (ABA), occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, and pharmacological therapy. Treatment works to minimize the impact of the core features and associated deficits of ASD and to maximize functional independence and quality of life.