RELATED SERVICES

Language:  To meet the language needs of our students, speech and language team are part of our staff at the main site. The speech/language team utilizes a consultation model with teachers and parents to address each concern. These professionals spend time weekly in each classroom focusing on the needs of the children within that class. Speech and language services within the district sites are provided through existing school district personnel.

Social Work/Psychology:  In light of the unique stressors and pressures families with a child/sibling with autism experience, a social worker and psychologist are on the staff.  These positions offer a variety of supportive and therapeutic services primarily related to individual parental and family concerns. These include:

Individual, Couples and Family Counseling for All Family Members:
These sessions may deal with issues related to or surrounding the dynamics of a family member with autism, or they may also be for the purpose of discussing other life stressors or mental/emotional issues with which a particular individual or family are facing.

Sibling Groups and Sibling Camps:
Sibling groups are run quarterly for eight to 10 weekly sessions. The contact of these groups includes ways for siblings to understand the dynamics that are involved with having a sibling with autism. These groups are both educational and therapeutic in nature. A half day summer camp is held for one week during the summer to offer a more recreational way for sibling to meet, discuss and process their feelings about their sibling and family. For more information regarding current sibling groups, click here:

Parent Training Conference:
The Pingree Center will offer an Autumn and Spring parent training conference. The conferences will cover topics relevant to understanding and working with the child with autism at the present time, as well as what you can do to assist the child in the future.

General Talks, Chats or Discussions:
Informal phone or personal conversations about any concerns or worries that parents involved in the process may have.

Pingree Family Resource List:
This is a resource list complied from information gathered from families attending the Pingree Center and it is updated annually. For a completed resource list, click here.

For any questions regarding the described family service information, please contact:
Marin Bywater, LCSW, Autism Social Worker  marinb@vmh.com