Callier Center to Support Autism Event

The Autism Speaks organization estimates more than 1 million Americans have been affected by autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Although there is currently no cure for autism, treatment programs are available to help children who have developmental challenges as a result of the disorder.

To broaden awareness, the Dallas/Fort Worth chapter of Autism Speaks is sponsoring Walk Now For Autism on Saturday, June 14, at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. More than 4,000 people are expected to participate in the walk and community resource fair, and clinicians from the Callier Center will be on hand to answer questions about group and individual therapy programs.

“It’s an honor to be a part of this event to support those who have been touched by autism in the DFW area,” said Suzanne Bonifert, head of speech-language pathology at the Callier Center. “We want families to know that the Callier Center is a place to go for help, encouragement and guidance during their journey.”

For the past 39 years, UT Dallas’ Callier Center for Communication Disorders has provided the best clinical care for children and adults diagnosed with hearing, speech and language disorders. The nationally recognized center also has a rich history of providing group and individual therapy for patients and families touched by autism.

As a part of its Communication Disorders training program and speech-language pathology clinical services, the Callier Center offers individual and group therapy programs for children and adults with autism spectrum disorders. The programs include:

• Preverbal – For children ages 18 months to 3 ½ years.  Develops the prerequisites for verbal language through play and social interaction.
• Early CLASS (Communicating, Language & Social Skills) – For children ages 2 1/2 to 5 years.  Develops social communication skills with a variety of partners across varied social situations.
• Playmates – For children ages 5 to 7 years. Facilitates peer interactions through organized games and age-appropriate play.
• Out & About – For children ages 8 to 12 years.  Facilitates generalization of language and social skills into group and community settings.
• Adult Social Interaction Group – For young adults ages 17 to 30 years with Asperger Syndrome.  Facilitates discussions on various social topics and provides practice in the area of social communication.
• More than Words – For parents of preschool children. Empowers parents by giving them the tools to facilitate their children’s interaction and communication skills.

The Callier Center, with locations in Dallas and on the UT Dallas campus in Richardson, is one of the nation’s preeminent educational, research and treatment centers focusing on communication and communication disorders.  The center is part of the university’s School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences. 

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