The Kansas City Autism Training Center (KcATC) is a private, licensed child care that specializes in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders. The KcATC utilizes applications of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to optimize the learning environment for children with autism spectrum disorders. Our goal is to minimize a child's failures through errorless learning, while maximizing their success. Behavior analytic methods are used to enhance learning and to reduce maladaptive behaviors by replacing them with appropriate behavior. The KcATC designs individualized curriculum programs to addresses the specific strengths and weaknesses in the areas of language and communication, fine and gross motor development, play and socialization, daily living, and academic skills of each child. Our philosophy emphasizes a proactive teaching approach which relies on positive reinforcement. Our goal is to improve the quality of life for the children and families that we serve.  A. Direct Service The KcATC provides treatment to children between two and a half years of age and school aged (age of six years on or before the first day of September of any school year) with a minimum of 20 hours per week or a maximum of 35 hours per week of one-to-one instruction for 49 weeks per year. Initially, treatment consists of discrete trial sessions separated by short play breaks.  During work sessions, the teachers follow highly detailed procedures and record the child’s responses on each presented trial.  During play breaks the children are taught play skills and encouraged to interact with their peers and staff members. Depending on the child and the family lifestyle, treatment hours may be divided between the child's home and the Kansas City Autism Training Center. Children may be treated in their own homes at least part time in order to promote generalization of their skills to the home environment and to facilitate involvement of the family in treatment.  Parents are involved in direct treatment to the extent that their own schedules and family life allow. They are taught the discrete trial procedures by teaching staff and follow the same written programs. Typically, family members are responsible for no more than three or four of the full forty hours of treatment each week. More commonly, parents extend and complement the formal work sessions by requiring their child to use the new skills in more natural situations (e.g., during dinner, play). Teachers receive direct supervision of their teaching skills on a regular basis. Scheduling the child's sessions at the Kansas City Autism Training Center at a minimum of two days per week supports close staff supervision. New programs and program modifications are made for every child at least once each week. Data documenting the child's performance on each program is summarized (using the percentage of correct responses) and used as a guide in program adjustments. Program changes are made when a child acquires a skill or when performance remains weak and a modification is needed to accelerate progress. Once the children have learned to imitate their peers and have some speech development, parents may wish to enroll their child into a typical preschool or community program (depending on the program’s enrollment criteria). If the child's skills are below their typical peers, the integration time will be limited to ensure a successful transition. Training in both settings will provide the child with social exposure and school experience, while allowing the use of a large portion of the child's week to continue to develop lagging skills. If the program allows, our teaching staff will interact as classroom aides (one-to-one) by shadowing the child during all preschool experiences. The child will be prompted to engage in all of the activities presented (e.g., attend to the teacher, ask and answer questions). Our teaching staff will then "fade" themselves out by withdrawing their supports (e.g., prompting) whenever the child is properly engaged. The Kansas City Autism Training Center will serve children between the ages of two and a half and school aged (age of six years on or before the first day of September of any school year). During the school year in which the child turns six years old, we will work on transitioning the child and family into appropriate alternative community services (e.g., conducting meetings with school educational teams). In addition, "graduated" families are invited to attend workshops at the Kansas Autism Training Center to assist them in continuing in-home behavioral treatment on their own. B. Family Support   The KcATC provides families with instruction in behavior analytic techniques with an emphasis on generalization or naturalistic uses of these techniques. Parents are encouraged to speak to the Program Director regarding any concerns so that specific training plans can be developed and recommendations can be made. Parent Support Meetings are held at the Kansas City Autism Training Center for all enrolled parents. These meetings allow for exchange of questions and concerns about program operation (e.g., about schedules or staffing) as well as a forum for presentation of background information on special topics of interest to parents of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Finally, these meetings promote family-to-family support during difficult times for affected children, siblings and others. C. Research The KcATC serves as a site for research on intervention, staff training, and other relevant topics. Conducting research and disseminating the results will further advance the science of applied behavior analysis and will inform parents, clinicians, and researchers of effective methods to teach children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders as well as, parent and staff training. Prior to the implementation of a research protocol, families will be provided with a description of the research project so that they can decide if they agree to participate.