Meredith's autism program has openings

Meredith College has a couple of openings in its intensive early intervention program for young children with autism.

The program has openings for two children under the age of 42 months who are diagnosed with autism and live within a 25-mile radius of Meredith, which is in west Raleigh.

The program serves children ages 2 to 6, who receive an average of 35 hours a week year-round of one-on-one intervention. Youngsters must start the program by the age of 42 months.

The goal of the program, said director Kathryn Cole, is to show that a significant number can eventually be mainstreamed with other children.

The program uses the applied behavior analysis teaching strategy called discrete trial training (which Cole tells me many parents know as ABA DTT).

The program uses undergraduate students to help keep costs down. And a part-time program is not available.

The cost is $2,550 a month or about $30,000 a year.

The program serves eight children a year and typically has openings only every couple of years as children age out.

Two slots are open now, Cole said. Another two could be available in January.