Building Blocks Teaches Preschool Students with Autism To Improve their Skills

Building Blocks is a program that focuses on helping pre-school student with autism to improve their communication skills. The program is provided by Applied Behavior Analytic and Board Certified Behavior Analyst to support the needs of pre-school student with Autism

Recent news from KFVS 12 said that the Building Blocks program is recently started at Southeast Missouri State University's Autism Center for Diagnosis and Treatment, which focus to assist pre-school student with autism get ready for school.  

According to Dr. Melissa King, director for the Autism Center for Diagnosis and Treatment said "We want to add more services and be the premiere training institute in the region." The program helps them to cope with the student's personal needs and also build their communication skills.

An analyst named Leanne Hopper said that she already see the outcome of the program by saying "We had a kiddo that was nonverbal and he said 'up' the other day for the first time, and it just renews your sense of why you're doing what you're doing." Hopper also stated in the news supporting her own opinion saying "You know how important it is and it just makes your job worthwhile when you see stuff like that."

According to Southeast Missouri State University, Southeast students focus on building the children's communication and life skills like table manners, using the bathroom and being a typical kid.

"Even if it looks like they're just playing, every child has a set of goals that the students are helping them accomplish, and this is the practical application of everything that's in their textbook and beyond," said King.

Each child is being assessed to determine their needs before receiving the proper care. The decisions made throughout their treatment are made according to their assessment record.

"This is the practical application of everything that's in their textbook and beyond," said King. "There's a lot you just can't learn in a textbook."