Changing Autism

Seated at a pint-sized plastic table, 2-year-old Audrey Daniel hesitates only a moment before picking up a photograph of her older brother and saying, "Duke. Uke."

It's the first time Audrey has ever done that.

While recognizing a family member's photo and mispronouncing his name (Luke) may not seem like much of an accomplishment, it's huge for a little girl who wasn't speaking at all 6 months ago.

After 10 months, the Collaborative Autism Intervention Program (CAIP) has left its mark on Southeast Missouri's autistic children.

Parents like Kim Daniel, who has twin autistic daughters, Audrey and Anna, say the improvements under the CAIP therapy have been remarkable.

The state-funded program provides Applied Behavioral Analysis â an intensive therapy for autistic children, using ABA-trained students from Southeast Missouri State University.

CAIP is sponsored by the university, Parent Advisory Council and University of Missouri-Columbia's Autism Center.

Audrey and Anna Daniel have been part of the program since last May, and both have increased vocabulary and other communication skills. The girls have learned to sit at a table and pay attention to learning activities. Audrey gained about eight months of development in that five-month period and now knows about 60 words.

Kim Daniel credits the ABA therapy for much of that improvement.

Until January 2005, the therapy was not readily accessible for Southeast Missouri families. Most drove to St. Louis, Columbia, Mo., or paid therapists from other states to come to their homes.

Through CAIP, Southeast students pursuing education degrees earn their practicum by working with the autistic children in ABA. But that's not all CAIP is about.

There are also free monthly workshops for parents, educators and others to learn about autism.

Parents involved in CAIP recently attended a Parent Advisory Council to testify about the success of the program.

Among those parents was Dena Petzoldt, who spent $34,000 getting ABA therapy for 8-year-old Ben Petzoldt before CAIP came along.

"Of all the different interventions and programs we have tried in the past, this has definitely been the most effective treatment for Benjamin," Petzoldt said at the meeting. "He has never made such significant gains in such a short period of time."

The program is open to children between ages 3 and 8 who have been diagnosed with autism disorders. More than 30 area families now participate.

cmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128