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Important COVID-19 Update

In accordance with the CDC's recommendations, we strongly encourage the use of masks and can provide services to families remotely via videoconferencing. Please contact the individual programs or autismcenter@uhcl.edu for more information.


A University and Community Resource

At University of Houston-Clear Lake's Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, we play a crucial role both in teaching future leaders in the field while supporting families in the surrounding community. Our mission at the center is to support research on autism and developmental disabilities; train current and future professionals in the fields of behavior analysis; psychology; and marriage and family therapy; and provide services and resources to children, teens, adults and their families through partnerships with community organizations.

Tailoring the Treatment

A caring staff of therapists, graduate students and volunteers at UHCL's Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities see more than 100 families a year who struggle with behavioral aspects of autism or other developmental disabilities. A staff member will first assess the child, teen, or adult to identify causes for the difficulties, and then tailor a treatment plan for each individual to encourage more appropriate, successful behavior. As a significant component of each treatment, we also teach parents or teachers how to implement these new behavioral strategies.

Our Goals

  • To support research on autism and developmental disabilities
  • To train current and future professionals
  • To provide services to children, teens, adults and their families through partnerships with community organizations

Scheduling an Appointment

To schedule an appointment, please complete our initial questionnaire. You may return it to the program that is most appropriate for your family (below) or to autismcenter@uhcl.edu if you are unsure or would like services from more than one program.

Initial Questionnaire

Our Programs

Autism Assessment Services

Graduate students in the School Psychology Program provide comprehensive evaluations for students on the autism spectrum under the supervision of faculty at the UHCL Psychological Services clinic. The evaluations are designed to identify the student's condition, describe functioning levels across several domains, and make recommendations for intervention based on student needs and research-based practices.

For more information, contact Psychological Services Clinic at 281-283-3330 or uhclpsc@uhcl.edu.

Connecting to College

The Connecting to College program is designed to provide supports for UHCL students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and related needs.

Connecting to College

Focused Skills Intervention (Project ABA-SkIP)

Children receive individualized training designed to reduce problem behaviors and to develop age-appropriate social, self-help, school readiness, and language skills. Family members and caregivers also learn how to continue the training methods at home. Services are provided at the UHCL Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities and in the community.

Focused Skills Intervention

Group and Family Counseling

The Graduate Family Therapy Program is teaming up with CADD to provide therapy services for couples, single parents, and siblings of children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. These services will be focused on managing stress and relationship issues that often arise when caring for a child with special needs. Dr. Matt Brown will oversee these services and conduct ongoing research related to family needs and effective support. For more information please email to brownm@uhcl.edu or call (281) 283-3304.

Intensive Outpatient Behavior Disorders Clinic (UHCL at Pearland)

In this free program, learn the skills to help reduce challenging behavior, such as aggression, self-injury, property destruction, and elopement. Open to clients of any age who have been diagnosed with autism.

The program runs for two weeks, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a one-hour lunch break. We also provide attendance support (such as for school or the Family Medical Leave Act).

Intensive Outpatient Behavior Disorders Clinic

Location

UHCL at Pearland
1200 Pearland Parkway
Pearland, TX 77581

School Services

Graduate students in the Behavior Analysis program provide services to students and teachers in local school districts.

For more information, contact Dr. Dorothea Lerman at lerman@uhcl.edu

Severe Behavior Disorders Research Clinic

This clinic offers assessment and treatment services to children of all ages who engage in challenging behavior, such as self-injurious behavior, aggression, and property destruction. Services will be individualized and provided as part of ongoing studies designed to identify the most effective methods of reducing severe behavior disorders. Following the child's participation in research, families will receive training in effective behavior management strategies to use at home. Dr. Jennifer N. Fritz, BCBA-D, LBA-TX is the director of the clinic and oversees all services.

Severe Behavior Disorders Research Clinic

Verbal Behavior Clinic

The Verbal Behavior clinic provides empirically based individualized services to children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders and their families.  These services include assessments, parent training, and the development of teaching procedures relating to language skills.   Graduate students in the Applied Behavior Master's program participate as the primary therapists, and each case is directly supervised by Dr. Sarah A. Lechago, BCBA-D, LBA-TX, director of the clinic.  Social skills training, which often includes language skills, is also conducted in the clinic.  Services may also be provided in Spanish.  If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please contact Sarah Lechago at vbclinic@uhcl.edu.

Verbal Behavior Clinic

Vocational Program

The Vocational Skills Assessment and Training Program conducts assessments of skills critical to successful employment and provides individualized training of job-related skills.

Vocational Skills Assessment and Training Program

 

Contact

  • Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities

    Phone: 281-283-3452
    Fax: 281-283-3510
    Email: autismcenter@uhcl.edu

    Arbor South
    2700 Bay Area Blvd, Box 245
    Houston, TX 77058-1002