1. SON-RISE PROGRAM
An intervention for children with autism
Sarah Jane Calub
OT 3210

2. HISTORY
• created by the Kaufmans when son
Raun was diagnosed with severe
autism
• Raun was considered incurable; had an
IQ of less than 30
• Raun’s parents were told he would
never speak or learn to communicate
• In an effort to reach out to their son, the Kaufmans created the Son-Rise
Program
• As the first beneficiary of the program, Raun completely ‘recovered’ from
autism and went on to graduate at an Ivy League university. He now
trains and teaches families about SRP at the Autism Treatment Center of
America (ATCA).

3. WHAT IS THE SRP?
• system of treatment designed to help parents and caregivers enable
their children to improve in all areas of learning, development,
communication, and skill acquisition
• techniques and principles for implementing a stimulating, high-
energy, one-on one, home-based, child-centered program
• first to suggest that children on the autism spectrum had the
potential for ‘extraordinary healing and growth’

4. • unlocks mystery behind behavior
• facilitates eye contact
• displays appreciation of behaviors, thus discouraging ‘-isms’ by
teaching the child that ‘-ism’ is no longer effective way to shut out
the world
• inclusion of others at play
• once child is engaged, child is celebrated, then taught a new skill or
word
JOINING

5. PARENT-FACILITATED
• SRP places parents in the ‘therapist’ and ‘managerial’ role
• parents are trained at the ATCA, Option Institute, or Start-Up
program to learn the skills needed to implement the SRP in their own
home
• parents recruit a team of volunteers to help with one-on-one
interactive play
• parents hold team meetings to track the child’s progress
• home is used as most nurturing environment for the child

6. • one room in the house is converted into a playroom
• specifically designed to minimize distractions
• key objects: mirror, trampoline, yoga ball, toys out of child’s direct
reach
PLAYROOM

7. KEY PHILOSOPHIES
• respect and deep caring are most impacting factors in a child’s
motivation to learn
• love and acceptance are meaningful parts of the teaching process
• using a child’s motivation prepares them for education and skill
acquisition
• teaching through interactive play leads to meaningful socialization
and communication