Description

Alia For Early Intervention offers evaluation, early Intervention Services and case management to eligible children and their families. Children eligible for services must be: three years old/ of age at the time of referral, and suspected of developmental delay or diagnosed with a physical or mental condition, resulting in a high probability of delay in the following areas:

· Cognitive development.

· Communication development.

· Social or emotional development.

· Physical development.

What is Alia for Intervention?

Alia is a centre set up in November 2004 by the Bahrain Society for Children with Behavior and Communication Disorders.  

An American education consultant group, Applied Behavior Consultants (ABC), was employed to help set up the school and train our staff, in line with an approach called Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).  The consultants revisit Alia every four months to assess the progress we are making and to deliver more advanced training. 

In November 2005, Alia was awarded ABC accreditation in ABA approaches and we are now certified to train parents, teachers and other professionals in educating children with behavior and communication difficulties.

In June 2008, five members of staff were qualified to be Miller Method Certified Specialists.

How is Alia funded?

Alia is run as a charity.  There are school fees but these are kept to the absolute minimum, thereby making the centre available to all.

What programs do the children follow?

The children follow a range of interventions, depending on their individual needs.  Most of the children follow the Applied Behavior Analysis programs.  This is a one to one intervention that teaches the children various skills in receptive language, expressive language, and imitation, play skills, independent work and academics.  Addition to the ABA programs,  the children also follow the Miller Method and TEACCH. 

Our Main Educational Programs at Alia

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is perhaps the best known skills-based therapy.  It consists of teaching skills by breaking them down into small steps and teaching one step at a time, rewarding correct responses. Most people have heard of the Lovaas method, an intensive ABA program developed by Dr. O.I. Lovaas at the University of California, Los Angeles.  Methods of ABA include; verbal behavior therapy and task analysis.

The Miller MethodŽ: A Cognitive-Developmental Systems Approach for Children on the Autism Spectrum The Miller Method addresses children's body organization, social interaction, communication and representation issues in both clinical and classroom settings.

TEACCH is a North Carolina program administered through the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, but because of its training activities and publications the TEACCH approach is widely known nationally and internationally.  TEACCH is an evidence-based service, training, and research program for individuals of all ages and skill levels with autism spectrum disorders.

Additional Services At A.E.I.:

• Dietary, Biomedical and Alternative Treatments-Regular consultation Services from visiting professionals
• Berard Auditory Integration Training
• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
• Brain Gym
• Sensory Integration sessions Dietary, Biomedical and Alternative Treatments-Regular consultation Services from visiting professionals
• Berard Auditory Integration Training
• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
• Brain Gym
• Sensory Integration sessions

Admissions:

Students will be admitted to ALIA FOR EARLY INTERVENTION if they meet the following criteria:

Required: 

• Age 2 - 8 years at the time of admissions.
• Primary diagnosis/assessment of autism, PDD, ADD, ADHD or other communication and/or behavioral difficulties
• Parents physically reside in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Parents Must

• Provide program consistency at home.
• Ensure consistent attendance over school year.
• Participate in training courses on meeting their child's specialized educational needs.
• Make a realistic choice as to the potential benefits of this program for their child.

1. The first part of the admissions process will be parent/guardian attendance at scheduled orientation meetings to ensure all parties will be fully informed as to the nature and scope of the school, its curriculum and methodology, before making a final decision to attend.

2. The center will commit to providing an exemplary research-based educational program tailored to the strengths and deficits of children with autism and other behavioral and communication difficulties.

3. Parents/guardians will sign the admissions criteria rules committing themselves to be involved in their child's education by, among other things, having their children arrive to school on time and ready to learn, volunteering at the school, etc.

Attendance Hours

1:1 Teaching Programs:

Morning programs: 7:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Sundays thru Thursday (Sat from 7:45 - 1:00)

Afternoon program: 2:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. Sundays thru Thursday (Saturday 1:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.)

2:1 Teaching Program: 7:45 a.m. – 1:00 pm Saturday thru Thursday

Fee Schedules and Payment Options

Tuition Payment:

BD 130/Month per month –Morning 1:1 Program

BD 200/Month – Afternoon 1:1 Program

BD 250/Month – Morning 2:1 Program (Plus BD 50 non refundable registration fee)

Tuition payments are required in advance of service delivery. Any payments not received by the end of the month may result in disenrollment from the program.

Tuition fees exemption or reduction: Families may not apply during the first year of enrollment. After a year, families may apply by submitting a letter of request to the board of directors with supporting documents of family salary slips and bank accounts…etc. Priority shall be given to Bahrain Nationals.