Including Kids, Inc. provides educational and therapeutic instruction
using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis for children with
autism and other related developmental delays endeavoring to facilitate
their inclusion in the community and inspire them to become productive
citizens. Services include:
ABA FULL TIME DAY PROGRAM: Operates
30 hours per week, using a one-to-one teacher student ratio, with
intensive intervention instruction conducted at each child’s
individual skill level/need
addressing the areas of language/communication, social skills/executive functioning,
academics, self-help and behavior. Click here for more information
COMMUNITY OUTREACH: Implemented by our community outreach coordinators
and is supervised by the Executive Director. This program provides
part-time programming and ABA training for parents/caregivers whose
finances do not allow for full-time programming or who want to work
with their child on the necessary daily living skills. Areas
of focus may include behavioral challenges, self-help skills, social
skills, academic skills or toileting needs. Families typically receive
1.5 to 4 hours per week depending on the coordinators’ availability.
The regular fee is $45 per hour. However, financial assistance may
be available thanks to fundraising efforts.
AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING: Operates Mondays and Wednesdays from 4-6
p.m. using a one-to-one teacher student ratio. This program is designed
to address academic delays to assist the child in his/her school
setting. Material used can be either homework sent from school or
assignments created by the tutor to address deficits hindering progress
in the school setting. Fee: $35 per hour/ $140 per week.
SOCIAL SKILLS: These groups address skills such as perspective
taking, body language, and emotional regulation. Group discussion,
practice and reinforcement are utilized to introduce skills to the
children. Children in attendance are typically 7-14 years old and
comfortable with group discussion and activities. The fee is $10
per week plus a $10 monthly material fee. We are currently assessing
the need for an adolescent social skills group as well. If you are
interested in having your teenager attend, please complete a student
application.
WEEKLY INTERACTION GROUP: Children
participate in one of the weekly play groups to learn important social
skills such as sharing, attending to peers, patience and sportsmanship
through games and activities with peers. The groups meet on Thursdays
from 4:15 to 5:45; cost is $50 per session for a 1:1 ratio and $30
per session for a 2:1 ratio. Ratio will be determined by individual
needs.
SATURDAY SUPPORT SERVICES: Monthly workshops are presented
to facilitate development of specific skills that are vital to our
children’s success in the community. Workshop topics
focus on behavioral, academic, social, self-help and communication
needs. FEAT-Houston has generously provided a grant to provide these
services free-of-charge. Childcare for parents attending the workshop
is included in the grant. More information can be found in the “workshops” section
of this website. Registration is required.
MONTHLY SIBLING SUPPORT GROUP: This group provides siblings
of children with autism with a group of peers who “get it.” Facilitators
assist the children in sharing feelings and experiences in an encouraging
and positive format. The children are able to bond with
other children who understand both the ups and downs of having a
sibling with autism. This group is now provided free-of-charge during
Saturday Support Services! Children may still attend this group if
they do not have a parent attending the workshop.
WEEKLY SIBLING GROUP: This group is not currently meeting.
We are assessing the need for this group for children ages 8 to 15
years old that have a sibling on the autism spectrum. If you think
you may be interested in attending this group in the future, please
email outreach@includingkids.org.
Feedback on topics needed, as well as convenient times/days, will
be helpful in the creation of this group.
TRANSITIONAL THERAPY: This service is offered to families who have
a child attending our full-time program. The purpose behind Transitional
Therapy is to provide families with the tools necessary to generalize
skills learned in programming to the home and social settings. Cost:
$50 per hour + drive time for longer distances.
PUBLIC/PRIVATE SCHOOL CONSULTATION: This program focuses
on helping train the educational professionals who interact with
children with autism in an inclusion setting and need the support
to create a successful environment.
COMMUNITY CONSULTATION/AWARENESS: It is the goal of Including
Kids, Inc. to help the community understand autism and be more open
to inclusion opportunities. We present to community groups
such as rotary clubs, parent support groups, churches, and anyone
else who is interested in learning more.
INTERNSHIPS/MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS: Including Kids, Inc. is
an internship site for the University of Houston, Clear Lake Master’s
Level Program, as well as a high school internship site for Education
for Tomorrow Alliance. Supervision for becoming a board certified
behavior analyst is also available.
Many children begin our programs with little or no language skills,
very limited social interaction, and tremendous behavioral challenges,
including aggression toward others and to themselves. Due to
the success of our programs, many children experience life-altering
changes such as communication/ interaction with others and inclusion
into mainstream classroom settings.