Autism Opportunities Foundation

WE IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE IN OUR CARE AFFECTED BY AUTISM.

THE MINNESOTA AUTISM CENTER (MAC) PROVIDES THERAPEUTIC SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD). MAC IS STAFFED BY HIGHLY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS WHO PROVIDE APPLIED BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS (ABA) THERAPY ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS, WITH THE GOAL OF REDUCING AND ELIMINATING THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF AUTISM. THE MAC SERVICES CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS AGES 18 MONTHS TO 21 YEARS OLD THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF MINNESOTA THROUGH A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS. THE MAC IS APPROVED TO PROVIDE INDIVIDUALIZED PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF MINNESOTA. THESE PROGRAMS ARE TAILORED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF EACH CHILD, OR ADOLESCENT, AND THEIR FAMILIES. ADDITIONALLY, THE MAC SERVICES ARE DIRECTED BY A TEAM OF LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS; THESE SERVICES INCLUDE ASSESSMENTS AND DIAGNOSIS... ...THE TEAM OF MAC'S MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS CONDUCT INTAKE AND ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS ON-SITE AT THE ASSESSMENT CENTER. FURTHERMORE, FAMILY FEEDBACK SESSIONS ARE AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT TO THE ASSESSMENT PROCESS.EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM - MAC PROVIDES EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMS PRIMARILY FOR PRESCHOOL AGED CHILDREN IN A CENTER-BASED SETTING. EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMS ARE INTENSIVE, OFTEN CONSISTING OF OVER 40 HOURS OF THERAPY PER WEEK.SCHOOL AGE PROGRAM - THE MAC'S SCHOOL AGE PROGRAMS SERVE CHILDREN THAT ARE OF SCHOOL AGE, WITH THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM TO HELP THE CHILD ACQUIRE FUNCTIONAL SKILLS IN THE AREAS OF COMMUNICATION, SOCIALIZATION AND DAILY LIVING; THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON REDUCING CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS WHICH MAY INTERFERE WITH THE CHILD'S FUNCTIONING IN HOME, COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL SETTINGS.MAC SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAM - THE MAC SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAM STRIVES TO AIDE CHILDREN ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM WHO POSSESS A WIDE RANGE OF ABILITIES. THE GOALS OF THE MAC SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAM IS TO FOSTER THERAPEUTIC SUCCESS, INDEPENDENCE, SELF-AWARENESS, SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS AND BEHAVIORAL MANAGEMENT SKILLS TO HELP PREPARE CHILDREN TO TRANSITION TO A LESS INTRUSIVE ENVIRONMENT. THE MAC SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAM IS A YEAR-ROUND PROGRAM PROVIDING INTENSIVE, INDIVIDUALIZED THERAPY IN A RICH AND FULFILLING SCHOOL-LIKE SETTING. OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE MAC PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING: ASSESSMENTS AND DIAGNOSIS.THE TEAM OF MAC'S MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS CONDUCT INTAKE AND ANNUALASSESSMENTS ON-SITE AT THE ASSESSMENT CENTER. FURTHERMORE, FAMILYFEEDBACK SESSIONS ARE AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT TO THE ASSESSMENT PROCESS.