Specialized Programs

Early Learner

The Early Learner Program is designed to address the treatment needs of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other related conditions who are between the ages of 1 to 4 years. Clients of the early learner age develop best using Natural Environment Teaching (NET), which means that the therapy programming for these children is structured to resemble the natural life environment of a child’s day. Partners In Excellence uses the Hawaii Early Learning Profile (HELP) as a guide in the identification of treatment goals and to measure client progress. The objectives outlined in the HELP are used for the assessment and treatment programming for each child’s individual treatment needs. The HELP is designed around typical developmental milestones, and treatment objectives focus on a variety of skill areas, which include age-appropriate socialization, play, communication, and daily living skills.

The Early Learner Program recognizes that most learning in early childhood occurs within the social context of daily activities and experiences. Therefore, the program is structured to include teaching through everyday routines, a variety of social activities, and planned group activities. Clients in this program will be actively engaged with therapists throughout the therapy day.  Each child’s treatment program focuses on developing skills that have been identified as deficits or areas in need of growth. Treatment plans are designed to meet the individual needs of each child.   Therapists continually create opportunities throughout the child’s therapy day to practice and teach those skills identified as treatment objectives.

In addition to the therapy programming for children in the Early Learner Program, monthly parent training classes are offered to address the specific treatment needs of this age group and to better equip parents with the skills needed to forward their child’s development and progress. Parents are encouraged to participate in these trainings, and will receive guidance from their child’s treatment team to specifically address each child’s individual needs.  Parents are also encouraged to participate in individual in center, hands on training during their child’s therapy day.  Parents can work one-on-one with the child’s therapist to learn specific teaching techniques and behavior management strategies to help facilitate the generalization of skills into the home environment.

Clients in this program may attend a morning, an afternoon or all day program.