Early Education, Intervention and Diagnostic Services

Early identification of ASD allows children to enroll in intervention programs that improve social, cognitive, and academic outcomes. Els for Autism offers the CADI program, which allows parents to access early diagnostic testing to ensure an understanding of a child’s unique strengths and weaknesses. This evaluation allows clinicians to provide appropriate recommendations for necessary therapeutic interventions that support the development of social communication, play, and pre-academic readiness skills.

CADI: Collaborative Autism Diagnosis and Intervention Program

The CADI Program is for children under the age of 7 years. Els for Autism Foundation transdisciplinary CADI team of specialists includes professionals in the areas of pediatric neuropsychology, clinical psychology, special education, speech-language pathology, and applied behavior analysis.

The acronym, CADI, was not a coincidence. Just as a golf “caddie” guides and supports a golfer through a round of course, our “CADI” team will walk side-by-side with you and your family, providing information, recommendations and support throughout the identification, evaluation, and intervention process.

Our team of highly skilled professionals provides a comprehensive evaluation and report which includes a profile of strengths and weaknesses, recommendations that can be used in the development of treatment goals, and a formal diagnosis of ASD, as applicable.

Financial support may be available.

More About CADI

Developmental Milestones

Early intervention improves outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorder.

Developmental Milestones

Signs of autism are often present before a child reaches two years of age. Below is a list of important developmental milestones to look for as your child grows:

Shares interest or enjoyment through eye gaze
Responds by looking when his or her name is called
Uses gestures to communicate
Uses coordinated non-verbal communication (combining eye gaze and word/gestures)
Plays with toys appropriately
Enjoys playing social games (peekaboo, pretend with dolls or stuffed animals)
Says at least 50 words

Evaluation, Reporting & Collaboration

CADI Program Process
A Clinical Care Coordinator offers support to families from their initial contact with the Foundation through evaluations and follow-up

Phone interview:
A phone interview is conducted to learn about your family’s specific needs and provide an overview of the entire evaluation process.

Evaluation:
Standardized and informal assessments, including gold standard ASD diagnostic tools will be administered to both parents and child over the course of two days.

Assessment tools may include:

Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)
Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R)
Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-3rd Edition (Vineland-3)
Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL)
Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales
Developmental Profile (CSBS-DP)
Preschool Language Scales-Fifth Edition (PLS-5)

Reporting:
Comprehensive final report of scores, impressions, and recommendations for treatment is sent to the family. A meeting is conducted with the family to review the report.

Collaboration:
Team members are available to communicate with primary care physicians or other therapy providers and guide families to resources, services, and support.

Download the CADI Program brochure

Schedule an Evaluation

Dr. Christine Honsberger, EdD, BCBA-D, Early Intervention Services Manager
Email: christine.honsberger@elsforautism.org
Phone: 561-320-9525

Rita Martinez, CADI Coordinator & Mental Health Counseling
Email: Rita.Martinez@elsforautism.org
Phone: 561-320-9513 Extension: 2064

Read about one mother’s experience: https://www.elsforautism.org/cadi/

Spring Into Action Programs

Early Education Services are designed to support the development of social, communication, play and pre-academic readiness skills for children up to age 5 years 11 months. Plans are developed to target the unique strengths and learning opportunities presented for each child. One-on-one therapy services are provided to each child in an environment that best meets that child’s learning needs.

All services provided through Spring Into Action utilize a transdisciplinary model and incorporate evidence-based practices and family involvement to support skill development and decrease the likelihood of challenging behaviors.

Spring Into Action programs are for children who:

Are at risk for an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis (ASD)
Have received a diagnosis of ASD
Exhibit other developmental and/or communication delays
Do not have a diagnosis and are not at risk of receiving any diagnosis

Download the Spring Into Action Brochure

Spring Into Action: Together

Spring Into Action Together is a caregiver-implemented early intervention research project for children 18 months to 3 years of age. The program is designed to support communication, social engagement, and play skills.

Download flyer Spring Into Action: Together

For additional information on research projects:

Contact: Dr. Christine Honsberger, EdD, BCBA-D, Research Manager
Email: christine.honsberger@elsforautism.org
Phone: 561-320-9525

Spring Into Action: Early Intensive Behavior Intervention Classroom

All procedures and interventions utilized by Spring Into Action will be evidenced based. The National Standards Project reviewed the available research for a multitude of interventions and compiled a comprehensive list of the treatments available for individuals with autism. Spring Into Action will only use those treatments that have been characterized as “established” according to the National Standards Report. In order for a treatment to be considered as established, it must have been thoroughly researched and have sufficient evidence to confidently state that these treatments are in fact effective for children with autism. The Spring Into Action program will specifically use a Comprehensive Behavioral Treatment for Young Children (CBTYC). This program is an early intervention service for children up to age 5 years 12 months. The key components to CBTYC are:

Intense services based on applied behavior analysis (e.g., the use of discrete trial and incidental teaching, error-less learning, and shaping)
Measurement to assess the effectiveness of the program
Services provided across a variety of settings
Low student-to-teacher ratios
Focus on the core symptoms of autism
Written guidance through treatment manuals and other materials

The Spring Into Action program will incorporate each of these elements into the program to create the most comprehensive early intervention program possible.

Contact: Erin Brooker Lozott, M.S., CCC-SLP, Director of Clinical Services
Email: erin.lozott@elsforautism.org
Phone: 561-320-9521

Spring Into Action: Complementary Services

Complementary Services can include:

For questions on Spring Into Action: Complementary Services:

Contact: Erin Brooker Lozott, M.S., CCC-SLP, Program Director
Email: erin.lozott@elsforautism.org
Phone: 561-320-9521