 |
Millard T. Pratt Principal 415.407.2772 tel info@mtparchitects.com |
 |
 | | | | |
 |
|
 |
|
|
Embracing Education, Valuing Play A commitment to education has been a driving force throughout my life. With a deep appreciation of the educational opportunities afforded me, I remain an active supporter of my colleges at the University of Idaho and UC Berkeley. I give back monetarily as well as through volunteer efforts, which included serving as the founding director of the College of Arts & Architecture Foundation. Most recently I had the opportunity to provide pro bono services for a non-profit working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This is their story. Behavioral Intervention Association (BIA) was founded in 1993 by Deanne Detmers and Hilary Baldi. Recognizing a void in the services to families of Autistic children, BIA dedicated itself to providing individualized home and community based programs, consulting services and training workshops that focus on intervention plans for children diagnosed with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Simply put, BIA works with families to create a supportive teaching environment that embraces human dignity and affects positive change for students with ASD. Everyone deserves the opportunity to live to his or her full potential. BIA helps facilitate this by creating individualized and appropriate curriculum. BIA's teaching methods emphasize dignity and privacy, freedom and choice. The highly trained staff conducts home visits to interact with and teach children with ASD and to provide tools to their parents. The purpose of these home based learning sessions is to teach communications skills, appropriate play behavior, language skills, social skills with peers and classroom competence. The resulting positive change in the child's behavior not only allows them to interact successfully in social settings but also to be "mainstreamed" into school. As part of their expanding services, BIA has recently begun implementing clinical programs to instruct children and parents. Their growth is what brought us together. I had the opportunity to assist BIA in finding new and more efficient offices in pursuit of their passion, educating children with ASD. To learn more about BIA's programs and services visit www.bia4autism.org or call 510.652.7445. If you, a colleague or a friend have a workplace or home space need, please feel free to call me for a free consultation at 415.538.3465. Or email me at ted@mtparchitects.com. return to Articles index |
|
 |
|
|
| | | | |
||||
|
Copyright ©2002-2010 All rights reserved. Millard T. Pratt Architects |
||||