Autism-related services
The Otis R. Bowen Center has become a leader in northern Indiana in the development and provision of services for children and families affected by autism and the emotional and behavioral difficulties that typically accompany it.
We have aligned our services with the nationally known and respected P.L.A.Y. (Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters) Project of Ann Arbor, Michigan and with Dr. Richard Solomon, the Project’s developer. In addition, our staff receives ongoing training and support from the Indiana Resource Center for Autism in Bloomington, Indiana.
We seek to serve a wide range of clients on the Autism Spectrum who also experience related disruptive behavior and emotional difficulties. We understand that these diagnoses impact not only the child, but also the family as it struggles to understand and meet the complex needs of their children.
We currently offer evaluation services at our Kosciusko County and Fort Wayne locations.
Social skills training programs for children and adolescents age 5 through 18 at our Kosciusko County, Fort Wayne, and Huntington locations.
P.L.A.Y. Project services for children age 3 through 6, are also offered in Kosciusko County with plans to expand to other Bowen Center locations in the near future.
Social Thinking® Program
Research has shown that 95% of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders have accompanying emotional and behavioral difficulties. Children with autism often are not able to function effectively in social settings. Parents report that their children "do not have friends" and that they struggle with taking their children into social situations in the community. Teachers report that children have difficulty at school getting along with other children and fitting into the school environment.
Bowen Center's Social Thinking® Programs are based on Michelle Garcia Winner's Social Thinking® methods and offer children the opportunity to learn why they respond and react as they do in social situations, how their behaviors affect the way others respond to them, and how these responses affect their own emotions about themselves. We use an activity-based approach with the children along with structured role play and video modeling to help them learn and to practice these skills.
THE PROGRAM INCLUDES:
Services for children between the ages of 3 and 18
Programming based on age and functioning level
One-on-one client care
Weekly one-hour meetings
Follows local school district calendar
ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE:
Home-based and school-based services are available to families and children to assist in managing challenging behaviors, coordinating services and providing family education and support.
Services may be eligible for reimbursement through various health insurance plans.
For further information contact:
Barbara Terry, Coordinator of Autism-related services
2621 East Jefferson Street
Warsaw, IN 46580
Telephone: 574-267-7169 ext. 3280
Toll free: 800-342-5653 ext. 3280
barbara.terry@bowencenter.org
Websites: Bowen Center - www.bowencenter.org
PLAY Project - www.playproject.org
For more information about The Play Project,
please check out our brochure here.
