About Our Programs
Many have chosen Little Star because it provides specialized help and resources for children and families living with autism. Indiana families are realizing the benefits of Little Star's all-year therapeutic intervention; a setting in which families, children and therapists can support each other and interact; and small-group activities. Little Star can be tailored to fit your child and family's specific needs through three major programs:
Center-based programs: Under these programs, which offer intensive intervention based on the principles of applied behavior analysis and verbal behavior, your child receives one-on-one attention through a team that includes a clinical director, program manager, team leader and therapists. In addition to your child's specific program goals, he or she also will be engaged with a small group of peers for play time and other activities.
Home-based programs: These provide the same intensive intervention of the center-based programs, but team-approach therapy takes place in the home. This home-based program also is advantageous if you have an older child who attends traditional school but would benefit from a program that focuses on building daily living skills, such as making beds, hanging clothes and performing chores around the house.
Community-based programs: This option also offer older children and young adults with autism the opportunity to learn independent living skills that will help them adapt to activities found in public settings. These programs are tailored to teach your child an array of skills from grocery shopping and riding public transportation to staying within a budget. At Little Star Center, we believe in doing everything within our ability to give you and your child with autism a place to learn, develop and grow.
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Indiana Autism Statistics
The growing percentage of autism cases diagnosed across the United States is similarly reflected in Indiana's population. As autism becomes more prevalent, identifying resources becomes increasingly important for providing better outcomes — not just for children with autism, but for families and communities as well. Little Star Center is proud to be a resource that provides ongoing specialized care, education and support for the Indiana autism community. These services are all essential for children with autism and the families that support them.
Statistics show autism has become the most rapidly growing serious developmental disability in the United States. And autism diagnosis rates in Indiana mirror the national rate. One in 88 children will be diagnosed with autism in Indiana this year. Among boys, that number jumps to one in 54. In fact, autism affects more children annually than almost any other serious medical diagnosis. There is no simple way to test for autism in terms of medical screening such as blood tests or simple scans. Autism diagnosis is dependent on careful screening by behavioral observation.
Children with autism are at higher risk for other serious conditions as well. More than 20 percent of children with autism will develop epilepsy before the age of 18. They also have a much higher risk of being diagnosed with co-morbid conditions, such as fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, learning disabilities and Tourette syndrome. Early detection is extremely important for children with autism. Early diagnosis and subsequent intervention can reduce the cost of lifelong care by as much as two-thirds.
Since the average cost associated with autism over a lifetime can reach $3.2 million, the cost of early treatment should be viewed as a good investment for improving the chances of a better life — as well as financially logical. Although there is no cure for autism, getting an early diagnosis and intervening with the most effective treatment early in a child's life gives him or her the best chance of an improved outcome. Many children with autism experience significant improvement of their symptoms with treatment and as they grow older. The combination of treatment and time can give children with autism the best chance to lead a fulfilling life.
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In August of 2011, Little Star Center was named the 2011 Excellence in Direct Care award winner by the Autism Society of Indiana. Little Star is the first center of its kind to win this title.
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