What is S.O.S.?
The Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. (CARD) is among the world's largest and most experienced organizations effectively treating children with autism and related developmental disorders. Since 1990, CARD has been implementing comprehensive programs that follow the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): a treatment that has been researched and empirically validated by the scientific community. While many individuals have greatly benefited from our comprehensive program, some require short-term assistance in a few particular areas. CARD S.O.S. provides services for as long as is necessary to address a specific concern. Our goal is to help individuals achieve long-term success. CARD S.O.S. is designed to serve individuals with and without autism of all ages and consists of four programs:

Service Delivery Model
The model will vary for each program and individual, and may consist of any of the following services:

• Parent/Caregiver Training
• Consultation/Collaboration
• One-to-One Assessment & Treatment
• Group-based Interventions

The CARD S.O.S. team works with parents, caregivers and teachers, and also consults with speech pathologists, occupational therapists, physicians, nutritionists and others to work towards maximum success.

Challenging Behavior Clinic (C.B.C.)
C.B.C. provides services for individuals with and without developmental disabilities who exhibit self-injurious, aggressive and other severe behaviors such as high rates of vocal and physical stereotypy, property destruction, pica (ingestion of non-edible items), etc.

Using state-of-the-art functional assessment procedures, we identify presenting symptoms and then design a function-based intervention to replace the challenging behaviors with newly acquired, appropriate skills.  Skills that are targeted for acquisition range from basic language and play skills, to more complex social skills. Once new behaviors are mastered, we focus on generalization of the newly acquired skills into the home, school and community settings. 

For additional informations, please refer to the recommended reading.

Feeding Clinic
The CARD Feeding Clinic provides services for individuals (a) with and without developmental disabilities, (b) who display difficulties in self-feeding or have problems such as partial or total food refusal or food selectivity by type or texture, and (c) who do not have a feeding disorder of a biological basis (as determined by a pre-screened medical examination).

Trained clinicians design interventions based on the results of a systematic assessment of an individual’s feeding problem.  Initially, intervention is provided in the feeding clinic. As individuals show consistent improvement in feeding skills, caregivers are trained to implement interventions with clinician support.  Treatment goals have been met once individuals demonstrate generalization to novel foods, are eating well with caregivers in the home setting, and caregivers feel confident implementing procedures independently.

For additional informations, please refer to the recommended reading.

CARD SOS CASE: At the beginning of his services with the CARD’s SOS Feeding Clinic, Mitchell was small for his age, being within the 10th and 25th percentiles for height and weight for his age.  Upon discharge, Mitchell is 37.5 lbs (on the 50th percentile) and 38 inches tall (between the 25th and 50th percentiles). 

Medical Facilitation Clinic
The Medical Facilitation Clinic provides behavioral services to individuals to assist in assuring the individual’s adherence to medical procedures.  Medical procedures include, but are not limited to, the administration of oral medication (capsules and tablets), capsule endoscopy, and IV procedures. Families are required to show documentation of a thorough physical examination by a licensed physician prior to intervention.  After a review of the client’s medical history, our staff is able to design a personalized intervention to teach the client necessary new skills and to desensitize him/her to medical procedures.  Once the individual has shown mastery of the specific procedure, we train all caregivers to implement the successful intervention.

For additional informations, please refer to the recommended reading.

Assessment Center
The CARD S.O.S. Assessment Center program provides developmental assessments and consultations for children, adolescents and young adults. Developmental assessments provide useful diagnostic and prognostic information on a wide variety of suspected and confirmed neurological and psychiatric disorders.

A developmental assessment typically evaluates multiple areas of functioning. It is not restricted to measures of intelligence (e.g., IQ) and achievement. It also examines other areas of functioning that have an impact on performance in the classroom, with peers, at home, or in the community. The following represents a set of cognitive functions that are likely to be assessed:

• Sensory, perceptual and motor functions
  
• Attention
  
• Memory
  
• Auditory and visual processing
  
• Language

Duration of Services and Fees
CARD S.O.S. works with each family to determine particular needs. Our goal is to provide services in an effective and efficient manner. The duration and intensity of services are individualized. All assessment, treatment and report writing services are provided on a flat hourly rate. Please contact CARD S.O.S. to receive more information.

How to Get Started
CARD S.O.S. services families and individuals all over the world.  However, because of staffing and logistical limitations, some services are only available in certain locations.  For more information, or to start the intake process, contact CARD S.O.S at 818-345-2345 x268.Typically, after a brief phone consultation, we will schedule an initial evaluation and provide recommendations. Once accepted, services can begin.

Meet Our Staff
The CARD S.O.S. staff is experienced and dedicated to helping each individual achieve his or her full potential. They receive intensive, ongoing training and rigorous evaluations to ensure that each individual has the greatest chance for success. Our Directors and senior staff include

• Katharine Gutshall, M.A., BCBA

Managing Supervisor

• Taira Lanagan, M.A., BCBA

CARD S.O.S. Supervisor