UpCounty Programs
Services for each Montgomery County Infants and Toddlers Program (MCITP) family are based on needs, concerns, priorities, and outcomes identified on the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP). Sometimes it may be appropriate to provide a group experience to achieve specific 
outcomes. Here are group programs offered by our site:
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Hanen Programs for Parents – promote language development
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Building Bridges – explore community resources
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Transition Groups – prepare for transition to a structured preschool environment
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Neelsville Team Group Offerings – intensive behavior/communication program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Hanen Programs for Parents
It Takes Two to Talk - The Hanen Program® for Parents is a 12-week parent program that provides a family-focused approach to language intervention with children between the ages of 18 to 34 months whose communication abilities range from non-verbal to those who are beginning to combine words. Parents learn how to create and take advantage of everyday opportunities to promote language development. Hanen certified speech-language pathologists lead the program. This program (8 families) includes an orientation, pre-program visit, nine class sessions, and three home video tapings.
More Than Words – The Hanen Program® for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder is a 12-week program that gives practical communication tools to parents with children who have been diagnosed or in the process of being diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder or have significant difficulties with social interaction, communication and play. Hanen certified speech-language pathologists help parents to identify their child’s stage of communication development to set goals and incorporate strategies which reflect the child’s learning styles and sensory preferences. Parents learn to use visual helpers to support communication. This program (8 families) consists of an orientation, in-home pre-program consultation, eight class sessions, and three home videotaping/coaching sessions.
Building Bridges Program
Building Bridges is a program for children and their families that explores community resources and activities. Parents, children and our “activity staff” meet every other Tuesday. This program offers parents and their children opportunities to interact in various settings, while facilitating the children’s skills in a natural community environment. Examples of activities are attending story time at the library, visiting a local farm, and playing at a gym. Families provide their own transportation, and the program is limited to eight families.
Transition Groups
Transition Groups are designed to help children (30 months or older) prepare for transition to a structured preschool setting according to their Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) goals. Groups are held one time a week for 60 minutes at the Upcounty site classroom and led by an early childhood special educator and special education paraeducator. Depending on a child’s individual outcomes, a speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, or other specialist may also be present. Many children will have specific outcomes relating to speech, play, and interaction with other children. The classroom experience will often consist of structured or unstructured play, circle time, art activity, snack time, and music enrichment. The maximum number of children in a classroom is five.
Neelsville Team Groups
The group offerings of the Neelsville Team address the needs of children with sensory and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder and includes a center-based behavioral/communication program with intensive services for families dealing with the ongoing process of an autism diagnosis. Group sessions (4 children) are held two times a week for 90 minutes. A special educator, occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist, and special education paraeducator provide a highly structured environment that includes facilitated play, circle time, and learning strategies, such as ABA (discrete trial). Children may have an opportunity to join peers in a transition group. One time a week the children meet for a lunch bunch/motor group, while parents attend a support/education group with a parent educator/social worker. Additional group offerings include a weekly group sensory learning experience for children who need this learning approach. Picture schedules and visual supports are strategies that are used in both group settings. The Hanen More Than Words Program® is an integral part of the programming for families with children on the Autism Spectrum or who are experiencing difficulties with social communication skills.
New groups may be formed as needed.
Modified March 22, 2007 | Maintained by Estelle Inn
