Rocky Point Academy
The programs we offer were created by Ron Davis (who was born with Autism) to benefit others on the spectrum. It is a deeply respectful and non-intrusive approach that empowers individuals to participate more fully in a life they choose, while retaining and further developing the essence of who they are as an autistic individual.
Our dedicated staff have all been personally impacted by autism, as a parent, spouse, life coach, and/or being on the spectrum themselves. This enables them to relate and connect to their clients and parents.
Programs We Offer
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Program Structure
Science agrees that all children progress through a series of developmental steps. Some children may not progress through all the steps, may miss some pieces of a step, or even skip a step altogether. When this occurs, there are holes found in that individual’s abilities as they continue to grow.
How many pieces are missing determines how and where your levels of functioning will be. We all have little pieces missing somewhere… and everyone can benefit from this program. However, if someone is missing too many pieces, it begins to hinder them from reaching their full potential. When enough pieces are missing, it can result in a diagnosis of being on the Autism Spectrum.
If we can fill in the missing pieces in a systematic and complete way, we are going to find that the characteristics begin to fall away, and natural growth occurs in those deficient areas… allowing for removal of barriers, lifelong learning, and full participation in life. In order for someone to reach their full potential, three stages need to be completed:
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Individuation
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Identity Development
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Social Integration
Pre-Screening
Online Video Seminar
Online Intake Forms
Consultation
Pre-Screening
Identity Development
The development of Life Concepts
Post-Program
Support Training
Reviews
Individuation
Learning Readiness Tools
SELF Development, Self Regulation, & Awareness
Implementation & Social Interaction
Theory of Mind
Relationships
How Relationships Work
Creating New Behaviours
Decision Making
Learning Responsibility
Program Formats
The following formats can be offered in person or, when suitable, on-line.
Individualized Program
A facilitator works individually with the client through a complete program. We encourage the family/spouse to be involved as much as possible so that the program can be integrated faster and more effectively into the home/work environment. There are no drilling or repetitive exercises to be completed at home; we only ask that the concepts are discussed and integrated in a fun, interactive way. We have found a program can most often be completed in two full weeks (approx. 50 hours). This program option is often the preferred choice as the concepts are completed by the facilitator, leaving less home work to be done.
Coached Program
The facilitator will take a client through the initial part of the program and then works with a support person, who in turn goes home and implements the program with the client. It takes a commitment of about 100 hours to take an individual through the material at home. We have found a program can most often be completed in two full weeks (approx. 50 hours). This program option has been designed for clients who are unable to work with someone other than their support person, or who need the program spread out over a greater period of time.
Workshop Program
A five-day, group workshop where we work with parents, professionals and/or spouses and teach them how to take their child/client/spouse through a program at home. It will give you the knowledge and ability to support and guide a child/teen/adult in their everyday interactions, choices, and behaviours. It takes a commitment of about 100 hours after the workshop to take an individual through the material at home. This program option is designed for those who are comfortable working with the individual themselves and want a thorough understanding of the concepts in order to support their loved one/client best.
This workshop can also be applied to the first step of training to be come a Davis Autism Approach Facilitator. (To learn more about the training, visit www.rdautismfoundation.org/training)
Program Elements
Learning Readiness Tools
Self Development & Awareness
Developmental
Participant Led & Flexible
Engaged & Authentic Learning
Transferable Learning
Support
“Characteristics Found on the Autism Spectrum” may be photocopied as desired and/or may be used on a website; however, it must remain in its original form with the following credits included: Copyright 2009 Rocky Point Academy. All rights reserved.
www.calgaryautism.com | Suite 110, 340 Midpark Way S.E. | Calgary, Alberta T2X 1P1
Common Characteristics
No one will exhibit all of these characteristics, as each case of autism has its own unique gifts and struggles. This is a list of commonly seen characteristics found on the autism spectrum. This list is provided for educational purposes and not meant to be used for diagnosing autism. Generally, an individual with autism will have struggles in several categories below, not just one.
If you find that you exhibit 15 or more of these symptoms and they are affecting your life in multiple areas, it is time to take a closer look. Please call and we can help you find solutions that capitalize on your strengths.
To see the definition of Autism and Aspergers based on the DSM-5 scale, click here.
How Concept Mastery Works
Program Results
While quantitative evidence regarding how well this program works is underway, we have done qualitative research regarding the common changes clients find happening after they have taken our programs listed below.
If you would like to stay in touch with the extensive research going into determining the effectiveness of these programs, click here for the latest update.
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Less anxiety
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Marked reduction in clinical symptoms (OCD, Anxiety Disorders)
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Greater and deeper sense of Self
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Less fear of life and worry about ‘what will happen next’
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Increased functional capacity (able to create order in their daily life, attend new appointments, try new things, use public transport, ask for help in shops)
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Increased cognitive flexibility
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Greater capacity to cope with change
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Reduction in sensory overload
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Reductions in meltdowns
The question is: how can we master a concept? We can't get on it and ride it around. But, we can create it in the real world. When we make the concept in clay what we are doing is creating that concept in the real world.
When we create the concept in clay, and then explore it in the real world to confirm its validity, that concept is mastered.To learn more on how clay can alter behavior- click here.
For the those with autism, creativity is an essential part of the learning process. Mastery of life concepts requires creativity.
To maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of new ideas, Rocky Point Academy utilizes clay in a technique that is known as Concept Mastery. The science shows us that Concept Mastery allows an individual to do more than memorize information, creating the concept in clay allows your mind to perceive the information as a part of your thoughts and identity.
For example:
No matter how thoroughly we understand riding a bicycle, the understanding of it won’t keep us from tipping over the first time get on the bike. Mastering riding the bike requires that we get on the bike and ride it. We have to create it in the real world in order to master it.