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April 17, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth Ruttenberg, Director of Public Relations
Office: 216.320.8504
Cell: 216.533.2097
Email: ruttenberge@bellefairejcb.org
Contact: Debra Mandell, Director Monarch School
Office: 216.320.8571
Email: mandelld@bellefairejcb.org
Cleveland's Monarch School for Children with Autism is featured in new book authored by Founder of Children's Hospital, Boston's Autism Language Program
Cleveland, OH - A new book titled "Visual Language in Autism" (Plural Publishing Inc.) authored by Howard C. Shane, PhD, Director of the Center for Communication Enhancement at Children's Hospital, Boston and founder of Children's Hospital, Boston's Autism Language Program, presents the visual language teaching method that is the foundation of Cleveland's nationally recognized Monarch School and its successful teaching method the Monarch Model.
The Monarch Model leverages autistic children's strong visual processing and residual spoken language abilities to support communication, comprehension, language development, social skills and academic achievement.
This unique visual immersion program has been developed and refined since 2004 by Monarch School staff, in close partnership with a distinguished team of professionals led by Dr. Shane, which include researchers and clinicians from Harvard Medical School, Children's Hospital Boston and Massachusetts General Hospital. The team is renowned for the development of technology-driven interventions that facilitate visual learning for children with autism.
"Our work with the Monarch School is invaluable. This book would not be possible without the contributions and hard work from the staff, students and their families," states Dr. Shane. "The Monarch School is an important leading institution in furthering to field autism research and education and providing this population with the tools they need to be successful individuals."
"Each day at Monarch is filled with small success; 'teachable moments' that cumulatively and powerfully transform young lives," says Debra Mandell, Director of the Monarch School. "The work we do with Dr. Shane, and his team is important to children and families at Monarch. We want this book and the contributions from Monarch to help others in the field -- and especially the children with autism, to help them communicate more effectively, relate successfully and manage their own behaviors. Ultimately we want all children with autism to find their own voices and share in the joy and fulfillment of communication and social relationships."
About Monarch School and Boarding Academy
Monarch Services for Children & Adolescents with Autism is part of the Bellefaire JCB family of programs and services. The Monarch School and Boarding Academy, located on the campus of Bellefaire JCB, provide a comprehensive living and learning environment for children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Monarch's language-based treatment model is designed to build knowledge and life skills by catering to the individual needs of each student.
About Bellefaire JCB
Established in 1868, Bellefaire JCB (a not-for-profit organization) has become one of the nation's leading providers and innovators of wellness, advocacy and behavioral healthcare for children, youth and their families. Building upon a rich legacy of success, today's Bellefaire JCB is a multi-disciplinary agency with a mission to serve the ever-changing wellness needs of America's children. Bellefaire JCB provides 25 programs and services including: Residential Treatment; Foster Care; Adoption; Day Treatment; Outpatient Counseling; Home-Based Counseling; Substance Abuse Services; Community-Based Programs for Children Involved with the Juvenile Justice System; Early Childhood Programs; Big Brother/Big Sister Program and Monarch Services, Day School and Boarding Academy for Children and Adolescents with Autism. All Bellefaire JCB services are provided with without regard to sex, religion or national origin.
About Dr. Howard C. Shane
Dr. Shane is the director of the Center for Communication Disorders at Children's Hospital Boston, where he also conducts a clinical practice that concentrates on persons with autism spectrum disorders. He oversees collaboration between Children's Hospital Boston and the Monarch School for Children with Autism in Shaker Heights, Ohio, to create a visual-based curriculum. He is an associate professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at Harvard Medical School and professor of communication sciences and disorders at the MGH Institute for Health Professions. Known internationally for creating inventive communication procedures and technology applications for persons with autism as well as innovative ways to operate and control computers for persons with difficulty with motor control, Dr. Shane has received Honors of the Association from the American Speech and Hearing Association, where he is a fellow, and is the recipient of the Goldenson Award for Innovations in Technology from the United Cerebral Palsy Association. He is the author of numerous papers and chapters on severe speech impairment.
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