The Binder Autism Center, as part of the Child Development Center at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, employs an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders.  Our mission is to provide a systemic approach to the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment and societal integration of the children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders.  Treatment begins with evaluation and diagnosis and continues throughout our program’s individual sessions, support groups, skills groups, educational workshops, social functions and activities.

St. Joseph’s Health recognizes the need to provide answers and support for these children and their families. Our focus is to provide support services, family resources, and programming to increase social interactions, sibling interaction, caregiver involvement, assessments, family events and more.

Telehealth services are available for follow up appointments and medication -check ins with the team medical providers.

Services

Collaborative

• Psychological Assessment (ADOS, developmental, cognitive and achievement testing)
• Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services
• Pediatric Speech and Language Therapy
• Pediatric Occupational & Physical Therapy
• Coordination of Services through our Genetics, Feeding and Swallowing, Neurology and other pediatric services (as needed)

Learner

• Individual sessions                                      
• Social Skills Groups:  Groups are an effective means for helping individuals develop social interaction skills.  They offer opportunities to observe practice, and receive feedback.  Such skills include communicating with others, making friends, playing games, turn taking sportsmanship, homework, self-management, and dealing with one’s emotions and more. 
• Recreation (bowling, yoga & karate):  Recreation provides an opportunity to be a part of a team, interact with peers, and learn to take direction from a coach and to learn that you do not always win.  Families have reported positive outcomes, such as increased physical activity interaction improved communication and social skills, and self-regulation behaviors.
• Swimming
• Life Skills: Cooking & Woodshop
• Gardening
• Summer Camp:  An opportunity to fill the void when schools ends and continue learning with a different peer group and set of counselors.  Camp includes movement, social skills, cooking, yoga, art therapy, music therapy, and a parent group.
• Field Trips
• Music Therapy
• Art Therapy: This program provides an opportunity for peer interaction, cooperation and other social skills in a relaxed, fun setting. Our artists participate in an annual art show, allowing them to showcase their talents in a formal setting that often promotes a positive outcome for the entire family.
• Performing Arts Groups:  This program enables learners to participate in dance class, culminating in a recital.  Dance/movement therapy is gaining more traction for its unique capacity to address some of the core deficits experienced by ASD learners. 

Family Services

• Support Groups           
• Family Social Events:  Having a child with autism spectrum disorder can be a lonely experience. Social events are often difficult as “friends and family” may not know how to interact with a child with autism.  Our events promote networking amongst our families and socialization for our learners.
• Caregiver Workshops
• Sibling Groups
• Caregiver Training
• School Support
• Caregiver Social Events: Quarterly Mom and Dad social events give caregivers a fun evening to help lessen the stresses of daily life.

Contact Us

St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital
11 Getty Avenue
Paterson, NJ 07503
973-754-3081