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Center for Communicative Disorders The Autism Language Klinic (TALK) TALK is a communication-based program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). There are several components of our Autism clinic; individual therapy, small groups of two children and group therapy, of which the latter has a borrowed component of an Integrated Play Group model built in. We also conduct diagnostic screenings and evaluations and provide consultation services/training to professionals who work with early intervention ASD's. We are most known for our original "TALK" group, which meets twice weekly for one and a half-hour sessions, at the California State University, East Bay, Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic. We currently have two sections of this program, one targeting age's 2-3 years known as tiny TALK and the other for children 6 -8+. These groups are designed to facilitate appropriate communication skills within a peer environment, while fostering social interaction. Our preschool version, tiny TALK typically includes children who are just beginning to communicate and develop first words. In this group several methodologies are used to facilitate communicative development such as TEACCH schedules, visual stimuli, PECS and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) techniques. Communicative targets might include initiation, requesting, turn taking, expanding utterance length, development of play skills, greetings, ... Our older group includes children who are very verbal and often have diagnoses of High Functioning Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) or Asperger Syndrome (AS). This group focuses on higher-level linguistic cognitive targets such as perspective taking, recognition and interpretation of non-verbal cues, problem solving, conversational turn taking, topic maintenance, ... Positive reinforcement, visual stimuli and functional communication training are among some of the therapeutic approaches used in both of the programs. Additionally, student IEP goals are often incorporated into the program to maintain consistency, promote carryover and increase opportunities for exposure. TALK is a unique program that has a parent support group, which meets twice weekly for half-hour sessions coinciding with therapy. Our parent support group is a vital part of the program, which encourages parents to observe therapy and collaborate/share ideas with one another. Additionally, as part of the support component, there are weekly mini-seminar presentations that cover a variety of topic areas (e.g. behavior management, speech and language development, novel therapy approaches, causes of Autism, coping with stress, issues pertaining to the IFSP/IEP process, etc.). Parents are provided with handouts and information related to the topics discussed as well as abundant community resources. If you are interested in finding out more information about TALK, please contact Jenny Rosenquist, MA, CCC-SLP Clinical Supervisor and Coordinator of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services, (510) 885-4278 . If you are interested in having your child participate in TALK, please contact our clinic to request an application at (510) 885-3241. For Autism Resources, click here. E-mail:jenny.rosenquist@csueastbay.edu   **We are proud to announce that TALK is nationally recognized by the Autism Society of America (ASA).