Shaping Bodies, Shaping Minds Developing Functional Skills in Children with Autism
Shaping Bodies, Shaping Minds is designed to remediate skill deficits in the broad spectrum of children with Autistic Disorder. David Finch formulated the program after working with similarly affected children as a School Psychologist in the Chicago Public Schools. This approach to individualized training for children with special needs is an industry first, as it addresses impairments in socialization, communication, and atypical behaviors through techniques that link the mind with the body. Specific goals include the following: improving motor functioning and body-in-space awareness; increasing attention span, self-esteem, motivation, planning, and self-monitoring; elevating appropriate responses to auditory, visual, and tactile stimuli; while minimizing negative behaviors that may interfere with socialization and learning. The Combine offers this program to children between the ages of 8 and 18, Monday through Sunday, with all children placed in small groups (4 or fewer) according to age.
