Autism Center

The Autism Center at Misericordia University, located at 50 Lake Street in Dallas, is comprised of a number of services for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder across the life-span. The services are offered by highly trained and credentialed professionals, along with graduate and undergraduate students in programs that reside in the College of Health Sciences.

A major goal of the Autism Center is to offer that highest quality services available, while endeavoring to establish services and programs based on community needs and to fill gaps in care.

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Follow the link to learn more about ACCE

The Autism Collaborative Centers of Excellence (ACCE) hub here on Misericordia University's campus is designed to connect people with Autism Spectrum Disorders, along with their families, with services and supports in the region.

ACCE Community Hubs
There are five hubs located across the 13 county region supported by the ACCE network:

• Children's Service Center/Hazleton
• East Stroudsburg University
• Hope Enterprises
• Misericordia University
• The University of Scranton

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Due to CoVid 19, the Autism Center will not be holding any onsite programs until further notice.

RESOURCES AVAILABLE AT MISERICORDIA UNIVERSITY

• Autism Spectrum Disorders Certificate for Healthcare Professionals:
  • A 3 course sequence that will prepare students and professionals to work with clients diagnosed with ASD. After completing the coursework within this certificate program, students would qualify to sit for the Autism Competency Exam to earn an Autism Certificate or become a Certified Autism Specialist through the International Board of Credentialing and continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).
• Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic:
  • Offering services from preschool through adulthood.
• Physical therapy Pro-Bono Clinic:
  • PT services for children and adults who are uninsured or under-insured.
• Occupational Therapy Services:
  • Provides a variety of clinics and camp

Occupational Therapy Clinics
Contact: Dr. Orley Templeton, OTR/L
Phone: 570-674-8154
E-mail: otempleton@misericordia.edu

Sensory social camp is held at Misericordia University in the Occupational Therapy (OT) labs during the month of July. It comprises 15 OT treatment sessions where children with autism are encouraged to learn good social skills and strategies to deal with their sensory challenges. The group incorporates a fun, play-based environment that embeds the challenge to the student to use pro-social behaviors throughout each activity. (Child is taught a social skill and is required to use that skill throughout the camp, as each social skill builds upon the next). The group atmosphere allows the children to learn from one another as well as build friendships with each other.

Each session begins with learning and trying out a social skill with the group through a fun activity. Then, the children complete a “sensory obstacle course” where they complete gross motor activities and sensory challenges. Next, they complete a “sensory craft” such as making weighted animals, scented beans, colored rice, calm down jars, etc. Throughout the entire camp, they complete 15 different sensory crafts which they compile into a “sensory toybox” to take home or to school. Parents are invited to attend the final session of camp where they will be educated in the use of each item to assist them with their child’s sensory challenges. Each session ends with a “sensory snack” where the children learn about tolerating different textures in their mouth and proper snacks to choose in order to help the child be more alert and focused.

Children learn how to:

• talk to a friend appropriately.
• ask a friend to play a game.
• encourage friends during game play.
• identify their own emotions, as well as those of their peers.
• “stop, think and make good choices” when they are upset.
• use sensory strategies to be more alert and focused.
• Improve their ability to follow multi-step directions.
• choose good methods to calm their emotions when they become upset.
• maintain an appropriate topic of conversation with a friend.
• reduce restrictive repetitive behaviors (known as stimming).
• reduce sensory aversions.
• use sensory strategies at home, in the community, and at school.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND PARTNERS

COMMUNITY PROFILES

Check the following profiles: 

• ALL Community Profile
• Community Profile Beyond Behavior
• Community Profile Mass Mutual
• How to deal and use ABA
• Unity in the Community 8 Community Profile