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For nearly ten years, the Early Intervention component of the YAP has provided intensive behavioral instruction to children under three years of age with a diagnosis of Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) or autism. With the approval of the county in which they reside, the students enrolled in our program are between the ages of eighteen months and three years old. The goals for our students is to develop functional speech as a main mode of communication, develop a basic understanding of receptive language, and to begin demonstrating the skills necessary to participate in an age-appropriate group setting. The program is in session for 48 weeks each year. Each student receives two 2-½ hour individualized teaching sessions. In addition, related services are provided and include Speech Consultation, Parent Training (lecture) and Parent Mentoring (group). At the time of transition (a student’s third birthday), the Early Intervention Young Autism Program determines, in conjunction with the service coordinator, Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE), evaluation outcomes and parental input, the next placement for each individual child.
