Autism Spectrum Disorder

Each year, Fraser works with thousands of families affected by autism spectrum disorders. Fraser provides evaluation, direct services, information, and support for children, adolescents, adults, and their families. Our programs are nationally recognized for their high quality and innovation, and our staff is skilled and caring.

Some of the things that set Fraser apart from other providers include our experience, individualization and family-first approach.

  • Experience - The Fraser Autism Program has served families for more than 20 years.
  • Individualization - Fraser addresses individual needs in communication, behavior, skill building and relationship development.
  • Family first - Fraser works closely with parents to design treatment programs and provide wrap-around services.

Perhaps the best way to understand how Fraser can help your family is to read our stories of success.

Definition

Neurological disorders that affect the way a child's brain develops, hindering the ability to communicate and interact with others.

Related Disorders

  • Asperger’s Disorder
  • Autism
  • Childhood disintegrative disorder
  • Pervasive developmental disorder (PDD)
  • Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specific (PDD-NOS)
  • Rett’s syndrome

Evaluations

Autism Evaluation— comprehensive interview, standardized testing and clinical observation to confirm a diagnosis of autism.

Neuropsychology evaluation — diagnostic evaluations for children and young adults who have neurological challenges or neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism, brain injury, attention deficit disorder or learning disabilities.

Direct Services

Autism Spectrum Disorders Day Treatment Program— award-winning autism program that helps children develop skills to regulate their emotions and better control their behavior.

Autism Therapy Services— individual, group and family therapy sessions with licensed psychologists and mental health practitioners.

Autism Skills Training— services designed to improve specific skills important to a child’s daily-living activities and participation in the community.

Asperger’s Disorder Day Treatment Program— group therapy and skills training for children and adolescents with Asperger’s syndrome.

Physical therapy— play and functional activities that improve children’s mobility, motor development, posture, strength, range of motion, balance, and coordination.

Occupational therapy— evaluations and treatment that improve children’s fine and gross motor skills, self-care, and sensory integration.

Feeding programs— evaluation and treatment to help children manage or overcome common feeding difficulties.

Therapeutic Listening® — combines a sound-based intervention with sensory integrative activities to create a comprehensive program that is effective for children with sensory challenges.

Speech-language therapy— play and structured activities that improve children’s language and communication skills, articulation, social communication, eating and swallowing.

Social Language Groups— small group settings designed to improve communication and social interaction skills for children with autism spectrum disorders or who demonstrate difficulty with social interactions.

Learn Talk Play — an innovative small group rehabilitation program for children with social communication and emotional regulation needs.

Music therapy— play and structured activities using music that help children improve academic, social, emotional, communication and physical skills.

Contracted Case Management —designed to help individuals navigate the complex social service system.

Flexible Case Management — assists clients and families in assessing needs, identifying resources and gaining access to services and support.

Specialized Services

Autism Consultation— consultation with schools, agencies and direct care staff to help develop intervention programs and strategies.

Psychoeducational Consultation/Visual Strategies— assists families of children with autism spectrum disorders in designing visual supports and environments.

TEACCH Consultation— a structured teaching model developed at the University of North Carolina.

Child Care Consultation and Support Services— practical strategies for child care and school-age care providers to enable them to include and retain children with special needs and/or challenging behaviors in community child care programs.

Autism Behavioral Aide Services— one-on-one therapy to help children replace inappropriate behaviors with developmentally appropriate ones.

Fast ForWord™— computer-based learning programs designed to improve language, reading, and overall communication skills.

Family Support

Home-Based Services — services include in-home family support, respite care, personal support and personal care assistant (PCA) for children, adolescents and adults.

Person-Centered Planning — capturing what is important to a person receiving services in order to maintain or improve his/her quality of life.

Partnership Program — provide support services that are not traditionally covered by county or state program funding and are often provided by unpaid family caregivers.

Autism Case Management Services— services which help families obtain and coordinate educational, health, mental health, recreational, social, vocational, and other related services.

Housing

Fraser Residences— residential housing for children and adults with autism spectrum disorders.

Education

Infant, toddler, and preschool programs at Fraser School— inclusive child care and educational curriculum for children of all abilities.

Ready 4K Program at Fraser School— structured learning to prepare children for kindergarten.

STAR Program — provides before and after-school and non-school-day child care for families of school-aged children.

Resources

Autism Resource Directory, 9th edition (PDF, 313 KB)
This valuable directory is a must-have for any family with a child who has autism spectrum disorder. Updated each year by the experts at Fraser Child & Family Center, this directory focuses on services available in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.