Center helps autistic patients learn
February 8, 2009
Parents, teachers of kids also can receive training
By Elaine Marsilio (Contact)
Originally published 12:00 a.m., February 8, 2009
Updated 12:43 a.m., February 8, 200
CORPUS CHRISTI — Zoe knew the routine. The 5-year-old autistic girl needed to communicate what she wanted, but had difficulty saying she wanted to look inside her plastic backpack toy.
Jamie Hughes, her therapist and the executive director of Autism Consulting Services, took the child’s hands at a session last month and placed them over each other.
Zoe, who was diagnosed with autism at 22 months old, needed to focus and make eye contact.
“Come on, let’s try again,” Hughes said. “O … pen.”
Zoe puckered her tiny lips and attempted to make out the last part as she mimicked the hand motion, “Pah.”
“Good try,” Hughes said, smiling.
Zoe is one of about 430 children younger than 14 living with autism in Corpus Christi, Hughes said.
Autism is a developmental disability usually causing delays in speech and socialization. According to 2008 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 150 people younger than 21 nationwide has autism spectrum disorder.
Autism Consulting Services opened in October to work with autistic children and adults up to 21 years old, by helping them improve their behavioral skills and giving them a unique setting in which to receive therapy. People with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities also can use the service.
The service has helped a total of 90 children and an equal number of parents in about 15 counties, mostly in South Texas. Hughes also visits families in counties such as Hidalgo and El Paso.
The new service helps to meet their patients’ needs through consultations, trainings and one-on-one therapy sessions for clients. Parents and teachers also can receive training on how to implement children’s therapy skills into everyday life.
Marsha Coulter, executive director and volunteer at Hannah’s Hope, said Autism Consulting will be beneficial to people with higher functioning disabilities because they wouldn’t need full-day programs like those offered at her establishment, which also caters to autism patients.
Coulter said Hannah’s Hope can work with the new service by referring older children there, as Hannah’s Hope only serves 3- to 9-year-olds.
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