Who are we?

 

Barbara Avila, M.S. is the family autism and behavioral consultant for Synergy Autism Center. She provides education and guidance for individuals and their families experiencing autism. 

 

Ultimate goals: 

Social reciprocity and personal agency practice across settings for the child or individual of any age and any level of ability with autism or related disabilities.

 

However, for an individual to be able to target social reciprocity and personal agency, they must be in a state to learn. This requires us to target regulation and ensure a stable & confident home environment. 

 

Common initial goals with parents: 

• Parent health and well-being

• Couple health and well-being

• Setting family/household rules and providing consistency

• Understanding behavior as communication and how to replace behaviors

• Understanding the basics of autistic processing and how that may relate to yourself or your child(ren)

• Understanding joint attention and curiosity (essential for social reciprocity)

• How to provide organizational and visual supports in your home

• How to speak and engage with your child of any age so that the child feels validated and a sense of personal agency 

• Guiding your child in leisure, play and/or independence

• Tracking and ensuring progress

• Advocating for your child in the community and in school/work

 

Common initial targets for teens and/or adults:

• Self awareness and understanding

• Relaxing into a co-regulated state of social reciprocity with someone

• Calming strategies

• Setting and following through with personal goals of employment, career, living more independently, and relationships