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Autism Services
Easter Seals Crossroads - Indianapolis, IN
Easter Seals Crossroads has a rich history of meeting the needs of individuals with  disabilities, which includes individuals with autism. Easter Seals and the Autism Society of America work together nationally to provide help, hope and answers for families living with autism today. Locally, Easter Seals Crossroads is working collaboratively with the Indiana Resource Center for Autism and the Autism Society of Indiana to strengthen programs and services for those affected by autism across the state of Indiana.
Learn about some SuperStars at Easter Seals Crossroads!
Autism Family Resource Center
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. with extended hours on Wednesday from 8 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
The Easter Seals Crossroads' Autism Family Resouce Center is a place where families of children of all ages on the Autism Spectrum can connect through parent-to-parent support, become better educated, use library and video resource materials, have free access to the Internet, utiize software to create effective, personalized visual schedules....and much, much more! Visit our resource library to see what materials are available. The Autism Family Resource Center is open to the public. View the Autism Services calendar of events.
Adult Day Services
The Adult Day Services program is a medically/socially blended model of care designed to preserve the independence and enhance the quality of life of the participants and their caregivers. This program is open to adults, 18 years of age and older, who may require assistance and supervision, but wish to maintain their independence. Participants can receive medical and therapy services as well as take part in social and recreational activities. Easter Seals Crossroads is a preferred outpatient therapy provider for most insurance programs. Our insurance specialist will verify insurance benefits and eligibility for all referrals.
Assistive Technology
The Assistive Technology program at Easter Seals Crossroads is recognized nationally as a leader in assistive technology. We serve as an excellent resource to provide specialized accommodations for home, work or school in order to increase independence. We currently have satellite locations in eight different cities across Indiana to bring technology closer to our consumers.
Augmentative Communication
Augmentative communication is specialized technology utilized to empower children and adults who are unable to speak or write understandably. Specially trained speech-language pathologists provide evaluations to determine communication needs, recommendations on appropriate equipment and training to families, caregivers and professionals in the use of selected equipment, as well as on-going consultation.
Behavioral Support/Intervention
Provided by an interdisciplinary team of clinicians, the Behavioral Support Program is offered as an integrated part of Easter Seals Crossroads' programs as well as an outpatient service. Our staff partners with the person with autism, his/her family or caregivers and other service providers to create an effective behavior support plan. Our staff is able to provide individual as well as family intervention to provide ongoing support for both children and adults.
Driver Evaluation and Training
A pre-driving evaluation allows the consumer to participate in a behind-the-wheel evaluation as a passenger. This provides parents/caregivers with the tools to help the consumer gain the skills needed to become a potential driver. Once a learner’s permit is obtained, the consumer will participate in an evaluation and customized training to meet individual needs. Services are provided by occupational therapists certified as Driver Rehabilitation Specialists.
Employment
Employment services representatives provide on-going support for job seekers before, during and after they have secured employment. Candidates are offered individualized services based upon their job-seeking needs. Guidance can be provided for resume development, interviewing and job-seeking strategies. This division also provides supported and customized employment for individuals who may have significant barriers to employment. In addition, employment services representatives are uniquely skilled in assisting students with their transition from high school.
Enrichment Programs
Easter Seals Crossroads offers programs, which are led by professional staff assisted by volunteers, for children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Life Skills classes are designed to help your adolescent develop safety habits and skills for use in the home and community. Small-group instruction covers in-home topics (cooking, cleaning and laundry), as well as community and social skills (reading a menu, navigating a small grocery/convenience store, working with money). Older students will be offered the opportunity to explore pre-driving skills. CampAbility provides a traditional day-camp experience for children with special needs ages 5 - 9. Each session allows children the opportunity to experience sensorimotor activities, expand communication skills and enhance social skills.
Camps
Camp R.O.C.K.S!
During the summer of 2009, Easter Seals Crossroads and the Autism Society of Indiana partnered to offer Camp R.O.C.K.S! This one-week, outdoor day camp was for young people with autism (ages 10 - 18) For more information about next year's camping opportunities, visit http://www.incamprocks.org/.
Life Skills Camps
Life Skills camps are for adolescents with ASD or developmental delays. There are various camping options available during the summer. Contact us for information about Life Skills Camps as it becomes available.
Medical Rehabilitation
Easter Seals Crossroads provides rehabilitation services for infants, children and adults. Occupational Therapy helps children and adults develop skills to overcome sensory, motor and perceptual problems that affect their daily lives. Specialty services that help maximize independence include sensory integration (learning to process information through the senses), structured play therapies (such as Floortime) and life skills training.
Physical Therapy helps children and adults build muscle strength, as well as develop mobility, coordination and balance skills. Therapists also provide education to families regarding age-appropriate motor skills that are important for physical development and provide social engagement in sports, recess and general play.
Speech Therapy helps children and adults learn to communicate through receptive and expressive language skill development. Therapists evaluate ability and then develop a plan to promote effective communication using a variety of strategies such as non-verbal communication using gestural communication or training with PECS (picture exchange cards); speech pragmatics training to learn when, how and to whom you should converse; and conversation and concept skills needed for social interaction. Specialty services include social skills training and feeding/swallowing intervention.
The P.L.A.Y. Project
The P.L.A.Y. project (Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters) is designed to guide parents to use techniques that will effectively assist their child with autism ages 18 months to 8 years move up the developmental ladder and increase language and social skills. This program, based on the DIR/Floortime Model, is part of a comprehensive therapy approach and works with current therapies a child is receiving. The P.L.A.Y. project staff is made up of professionals who practice developmental, occupational, physical or speech therapy, and have received training from Dr. Rick Solomon--the creator of the program.
Respite Services
The Respite Program provides rest and relaxation for family members and primary caregivers of individuals with special needs or disabilities. Respite care enhances personal and family health by providing necessary physical care and recreational activities while offering parents and caregivers a well-deserved break. The Respite Program is designed to serve children and young adults.
Transition Services
Our Transition staff specializes in helping students, parents and school personnel address the choices students face as graduation approaches. We can help students prepare for careers after high school by attending case conferences, meeting individually with parents and students and coordinating diverse services. We work collaboratively with other community organizations and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to ensure that students' needs are met.
Easter Seals Crossroads is a First Steps provider and accepts Medicare, Medicaid Waiver, Vocational Rehabilitation Services, CHOICE, Children with Special Health Needs and private pay referrals. A needs-based, sliding fee scale is also available.
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