This method relies on early, intensive and prolonged intervention with autistic children. Basic to this model is the belief in the worth of the individual in all of his manifestations, and respect for the healthy potential that exists in even the most handicapped human being. It focuses on a child’s strengths and acceptance in totality.The overall goal is to help the children and adults who attend Linwood's programs to become functioning members of their community.
First Developed:
In 1955 by Jeanne Simons (who died in 2005). Miss Simons is noted as one of the pioneers in the field of autism.
Overall Philosophy:
The Linwood Center’s philosophy is that children should be accepted as they are into nurturing, positive environments. Center employs gentle encouragement but no punishment, which is in contrast to some vigorous and punitive programs. Center tailors programs to individual needs of each child, though they generally use pivotal response training. Center also tends to accept students who have exhibited problematic behaviors in the public schools.
Popularity:
Linwood enrolls 24 students ages 9 to 21 in day and residential programs. Seventeen students live at the school, either during weekdays or full time. The school also provides programs for 21 adults and operates seven homes for them in the local community.
Program Elements:
The first step in working with children or adults with autism spectrum disorder is to carefully assess their level of functioning. The next step is to help them become aware of their environment by establishing contact with them. First relationships build bridges between the individual's isolation and the outside world and they also help to mediate the inevitable stresses and frustrations they face as they are helped to learn and grow. And finally, therapy consists of the initiation of changes in the individual's behavior that will gradually make it more varied, more socially acceptable, and more functional.
Time required for treatment:
Ongoing
Treatment cost:
Begins at $30,000 for day program and goes higher for the residential program.
Who directs the treatment:
Center staff
Where does the treatment take place:
Linwood Center, located in Ellicot City, MD, is approved by the Maryland State Department of Education to operate a nonpublic educational program, providing full day and residential special education and related services for students with autism, ages 9 through 21.
Training material needed:
Provided once enrolled.
How success is defined:
There is no measure of success, as progress will vary by individual.
Biggest Success Story:
The Method’s website claims that the center has “taught a number of children and adults in the autism spectrum how to communicate with others, how to play games, how to achieve success in the workplace or as volunteers, and how to engage in leisure activities and social interactions with others.”
Website:
http://www.linwoodcenter.org/
Main concern:
Lack of study about the method.