Social Skills Groups

The Seaver Center conducts social skills groups for high-functioning children with autism spectrum disorders periodically throughout the year. A comprehensive intake evaluation is used to identify individual social skills strengths and weaknesses. Behavioral and cognitive/behavioral treatment methods are used to teach the recognition and interpretation of social/emotional cues, conversational skills, anxiety management, and peer interaction skills. Social skills goals are promoted through direct instruction, daily homework, teacher consultation, and parent training.

Current Groups
All groups are for children ages 5-9 years old:

• Westchester Jewish Community Services, Hartsdale, NY, on Mondays 4:15-5:30 P.M.
• Sam Field Y, Bayside, NY, on Mondays 4:30-5:45 P.M.
• Seaver Center at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, on Wednesdays 4:30-6:00 P.M.

Diagnostic Assessment
An extensive evaluation involving psychiatric, diagnostic, neuropsychological, and neuropsychiatric assessment is available to confirm the diagnosis and functional status of the autistic patient. Private treatment services include in-depth diagnostic evaluations, discussion of current trends in the field, provision of an individualized treatment plan, follow-up medical management, and consultation with other medical professionals involved in a patient's treatment.

Family Studies
The goal of the Family Studies Program of the Center is to understand better the genetic factors in autism, utilizing the latest advances in molecular biology and quantitative genetics in conjunction with the direct study of families of autistic individuals. We are conducting a genetic linkage study of multiplex families (i.e. families with two or more autistic related disorders, or siblings with genetically related disorders). We also study relatives who have autism related disorders to increase greatly the power to identify a genetic marker, so that fewer families are needed. These studies involve diagnostic assessment of autistic individuals, briefer assessment of unaffected relatives, and collection of a small blood sample from every relative studied to retrieve the DNA. We have established a number of collaborations with other groups to better facilitate these family genetic studies. These include the Trinity College School of Medicine in Dublin, Ireland; Tufts University; University of Iowa; Duke University; and the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) of Cure Autism Now (CAN).