Virtual Programs

To ensure the privacy and security of all clients, Els for Autism only provides virtual services through Zoom, a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant video communication product. Current guidelines for these services are outlined in the Telehealth/Remote Communications Notice below.

Free Virtual Programs with Els for Autism

The Foundation will be providing a variety of support meetings to assist with managing this time as a community and within your family.

We are happy to provide these resources free of charge via Zoom video conferencing.

Families Coping through Conversation

July 14 & 28 | 6-7 p.m.

Online via Zoom

Families Coping through Conversation will address daily challenges and ways to manage feelings and behaviors. Topics specific to the sudden shift in daily life will be addressed and specific coping methods and techniques for families living with autism will be identified.

For questions or to register, contact Dr. Kimberly Rivieccio at Kimberly.Rivieccio@elsforautism.org

Sibs Stick Together

The Sibs Stick Together Room will reflect a new program at the Foundation that intended to begin in April. This program addresses the needs of siblings of children with special needs and learning differences. The siblings will have an opportunity to support each other, express their thoughts and feelings, and discuss issues specific to their needs. The Sibs Stick Together Room will be available on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. The recommended age for this program is 8-13.

Contact Dr. Kimberly Rivieccio at Kimberly.Rivieccio@elsforautism.org to request access to these sessions.

Virtual Connections Club

It can be difficult to find time to connect with friends due to schedules, location, transportation and personal obligations. For individuals with autism or other developmental disabilities, social interaction and connecting with peers can be a challenge on a daily basis. Connections Club is designed to provide opportunities for individuals to interact with peers in a safe and support environment using video conferencing technology, while practicing communication and social skills. Els for Autism staff members will facilitate meetings, providing support and guidance so individuals of all abilities can actively participate in the group. Each meeting will follow a schedule, including welcome/introduction, review of participant expectations, stretching routine, fun facts, a variety of discussion topics, games and activities. Connections club is for individuals 13 and older with autism and other developmental disabilities. Participants will need to use a cell phone, laptop and/or computer with internet access to connect to the video conference meetings.

To participate in the club, individuals are required to have completed the Els for Autism Foundation client application and the Connections Club registration process. For more information on how to enroll in the Connections Club please contact Kelley Coutts at kelley.coutts@elsforautism.org

Daily Living Skills for Adult Participants

Date/time:

New Session Begins July 10th

Fridays from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Instructor: Tara Murray

As we spend long days at home, it is important for us to practice healthy and helpful routines of daily living. Instructors will demonstrate making a lunchtime meal, completing common household chores, and the group will end the hour eating a meal together. Adult participants will take turns sharing ideas of their favorite meals and demonstrating how to prepare those meals as we discuss healthy eating habits.

Cost: Donations welcome

For more information Contact: Trudi Zayac at trudi.zayac@elsforautism.org

Social Group for Adult Participants

Date/time: Fridays from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Cost: Donations welcome

For More Information Contact: Merrick Egber at merrick.egber@elsforautism.org

Telehealth Services

Therapy Services (Fee-based)

Individual Speech & Language Therapy
RUBI Parent Training – Group and Individual Sessions
Mental Health Counseling – Group and Individual Sessions
ABA Therapy
Individualized Behavioral Consultations
Spring Into Action Early Intensive Behavior Intervention Circle Time (current EIBI clients only)
“Eye Spy” Social Skills Group

Contact Erin Brooker Lozott, Clinical Director at Erin.Lozott@elsforautism.org for information on these services

Thrive Telehealth Training

Thrive is a new, virtual program offering where parents and caregivers will learn about evidence-based strategies to support their child, participate in interactive problem solving to address individual challenges in the home and more.

Additionally, you will receive a 15 minute individualized consultation with a BCBA-D by appointment following each session.

Fee: $60 for all 4 sessions
Day and Time: Thursdays at Noon (12 p.m.)
via Zoom video

Questions? Contact Christine Honsberger, Ed.D., BCBA
at Christine.honsberger@elsforautism.org

Download the flyer to learn more

Industry Specific Job Club for Adult Participants

We are offering a one-month virtual session of Job Club covering industry specific topics related to your employment goals. Job Club is for adults with autism and other related disabilities ages 18+ who have completed high school with a goal of paid employment. Many of you have already taken Job Club that covered general pre-employment skills. We are now offering this virtual session of Industry Specific Job Club to customers of Vocational Rehabilitation currently receiving employment services with Els for Autism as his or her vendor. Participants are welcome to register for more than one course, but we ask that he/she chooses classes related to his/her employment goal.

Next Session: TBA

For more information:
Contact: Trudi Zayac, MSW/MA
Director of Adult Services
Phone: 561-320-9521
Email: trudi.zayac@elsforautism.org

Telehealth/Remote Communications Notice

Covered health care providers may use popular applications that allow for video chats, including Apple FaceTime, Facebook Messenger video chat, Google Hangouts video, Zoom, or Skype, to provide telehealth without risk that the Office of Civil Rights might seek to impose a penalty for noncompliance with the HIPAA Rules related to the good faith provision of telehealth during the COVID-19 nationwide public health emergency. Providers are encouraged to notify patients that these third-party applications potentially introduce privacy risks, and providers should enable all available encryption and privacy modes when using such applications. Facebook Live, Twitch, TikTok, and similar video communication applications are public facing, and should not be used in the provision of telehealth by covered health care providers. https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/emergency-preparedness/notification-enforcement-discretion-telehealth/index.html