Autism is a disorder that significantly impairs every aspect of a child's development.It often appears between the ages of one and two.A child seems to progress normally and then gradually begins to lose many of his most basic abilities.While there are varying degrees of severity, autistic children are impaired both socially and physically.They have difficulty communicating and interacting with others, unable to sustain eye contact or play a simple game with another person. These children may also demonstrate a lack of physical coordination, showing significant deficits in fine and gross motor skills.Riding a bike, playing catch, or even manipulating a toy can become impossible.In short, children with autism have difficulty doing many of the things that come naturally to typically developing children.

An especially painful problem for autistic children is extreme sensitivity to touch, sound, taste and sight.Imagine if your eyes, ears, and skin could not properly filter all the noises, colors, and textures that besiege your body throughout the day.An activity as simple as going to a birthday party, or an amusement park ' a typical child's dream come true ' can actually become a frustrating, stressful nightmare for an autistic child.

A distinguishing feature of the McCarton School is its integrative approach to education.Rather than adhering to the constraints of a single methodology, the McCarton School recognizes that autistic children are still individuals.An array of the best proven teaching techniques, including behavior modification (known also as applied behavior analysis, or ABA), speech therapy, occupational therapy, music and play therapy, and sensory integration are combined in amounts dictated by the specific needs of the child.The individualized approach ultimately guides the child into more natural and spontaneous language and behaviors.

In all school settings, McCarton maintains a 1:1 student:teacher ratio. Research has shown this to be the most appropriate condition in which a child begins to learn.Keeping a student on target at all times encourages him/her to stay focused and connected to other individuals.

As a child progresses and becomes more self-supportive, a less restrictive setting will be required.These children will work in larger groups where language, social skills, problem solving, and independence are stressed.

The McCarton School runs six hours a day, five days a week, twelve months a year. An autistic child's education must be ongoing, and even after the school day ends, therapy needs to be continued.It is imperative that skills learned are generalized outside of school and integrated into the child's daily living activities.The McCarton staff professionals partner with the families to create individualized afterschool programs to maximize each child's prospects for reaching his/her broadest and fullest developmental potential.

The McCarton educational model is further proven to be effectives, and the program is able to provide more intensive staff training and graduate internships in the field of autism intervention, we hope to establish additional schools throughout the nation and provide much-needed assistance to other autistic children and their families.

"I love what I do.I feel that we make a difference. The [McCarton school) therapists are engaged in work that has enormous possibilities for the future. I have to do this because there is such a need, and we know how to help."

Dr. Robert Koegel (founder and director) and Dr. Lynn Koegel (clinical director)of the Autism Research Center at the University of California at Santa Barbara have focused their efforts on improving the lives and prognoses of children with autism, and the lives and futures of their families. The center offers a state-of-the-art behavioral approach to these children, one that is non-aversive, self-reinforcing, and family-centered.

sThe Koegel's were awarded the first annual Children's Television Workshop, Sesame Street award for "brightening the lives of children." Their Autism Research and Training Center was recently named as one of the top 10 Comprehensive Autism educational training facilities in the country by the National Academy of Sciences' National Research Council.