Up-to-3 Early Intervention Quarterly Newsletter

A word from our Program Coordinator...

This month's newsletter is focusing on Autism (ASD), since April 2^nd was World Autism Awareness Day. We hope you find helpful information as you review the newsletter and get to know our Autism specialists better. Up-to-3 does not diagnose autism, but we can help provide answers and share resources. We provide assessment and intervention for children under 3 with indicators of ASD or any developmental delay.

Click here for more information about World Autism Awareness Day.

Here's a one-minute Autism update and information for parents and caregivers (from the CDC).

Up to 3 Early Intervention provides services to Box Elder, Cache and Rich counties. ABC-Autism services are for children who may be at risk for autism spectrum disorders, and are enrolled in the Up to 3 program. The services provide training to the child and family in the areas of social engagement, language, social imitation, and play. The child and caregiver receive home visits, community activities, and structured classroom opportunities. The main objective of ABC-autism is to address the early indicators of autism.

Autism is a spectrum disorder, with symptoms and severity ranging widely. This means that no two people with autism will have exactly the same symptoms. Autism is usually associated with difficulty in social and communication skills, repetitive behaviors, and adherence to routine. It also can be accompanied by sensory sensitivities, and challenges with paying attention. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 36 children in the United States today.

One in 36 children were identified with #Autism in 2020. In recognition of #AutismAcceptanceMonth, learn more about the latest findings and resources to help with early identification.

Click the image for a snapshot of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Utah in 2023...

April is Autism Acceptance Month, so here are a few spotlights on our Autism specialists.

Janel Preston - I have worked as the lead autism (ABC) specialist for the Up-to-3 Early Intervention program at the IDRPP for the past 16 years. My area of expertise includes young children with ASD and their families, interdisciplinary diagnostic evaluation, direct treatment, clinical assessments, and evidence based therapeutic interventions.

I am a certified P.L.A.Y. home consultant (P.L.A.Y. is Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters). I am currently, and have been for the past eight years, Utah’s Act Early Ambassador. The best thing about working at Up-to-3 is being able to support the families I work with, giving them strategies and knowledge to help them engage with their children!

One of my favorite foods is a delicious Italian pepperoni roll! I loved visiting my grandparents in West Virginia. I loved going to the local Italian Market to get the Italian pepperoni rolls. (My relatives will still ship them to me on occasion!)

Adelina Nielsen - I have been working as an autism (ABC) provider for Up-to-3 Early Intervention since January 2023. I have experience working with other children and adolescents with autism, but have really been enjoying working with the little kids with early indicators of autism. Something I love about working with children with autism is seeing them exceed the expectations everyone had for them! They learn and grow so much, and I am grateful to be a small part of that journey for them.

Some other fun things about me are that I am currently working towards my Master's in Social Work at Utah State University, and my favorite thing to do is watch sports with my husband.

Chelsea - Hello! My name is Chelsea, I am new here at Up-to-3 working with children with Autism. I just recently graduated with my degree in Special Education with an emphasis on Birth to Five. I previously have had experiences working with children with Autism as a practicum student at the Autism Support Services: Education, Research, and Training program (ASSERT). Here I was able to learn much about applied behavior analysis and also what strategies and resources can be useful to support this population of children.

Since working at Up-to-3, Janel has been a great mentor in helping me to identify the early indicators of ASD, and how to help children increase and maintain engagement. Something I love about working with children that have Autism is seeing them successfully learning to engage and communicate with their caregivers!

When I'm not working, I love to hike. My husband and I enjoy being outdoors together!

If you have concerns about your child's development, click here for a questionnaire. Once you've completed the questionnaire, we'll call you to schedule a FREE evaluation.

Si tiene inquietudes sobre el desarrollo de su hijo, haga clic aquí para obtener un cuestionario. Una vez que haya completado el cuestionario, lo llamaremos para programar una evaluación GRATUITA.

Up-to-3 changes lives one child at a time.

Up-to-3

Early Intervention

Institute of Disability Research Policy and Practice

6810 Old Main Hill

Logan, UT 84322-6810

Phone: (435) 797-3727

Fax: (435) 797-0090

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Click on the image to see if your child is meeting their CDC growth milestones.

Haga click para ver si su hijo esta alcanzando los indicadores del desarrollo de haga click para ver si su hijo esta alcanzando los indicadores del desarrollo de acuerdo con CDC.cuerdo con CDC.