Gavin Experience When I began working with Gavin, he was nearly 4 years old. I went to his home twice a week for two hours each to help implement the Son-Rise program, founded by Barry Neil Kaufman in 1974, a program specifically focused on helping children with Autism. It was about entering his world without judgment of his behaviors. I worked with a group of 5 other people, not including his parents who were heavily involved in this process. While in daily communication and reflection with his mother, we began to see this type of therapy help Gavin to interact in conversations and use eye contact, two of the major barriers that children with Autism struggle with. We wanted to connect with him by cultivating a relationship that showed him we weren’t going to force him to stop doing the things we disliked, but to show him how to make eye-contact and how to participate and invite other people to take part in playful activities. Being able to socialize and play was a huge development need for Gavin. It was especially essential to him at his age.

Portfolio of Megan Chapman 3103 Vicksburg Place SW, Decatur, Alabama 35603 megan@meganchapman.info       http://www.meganchapman.info Last Updated: 04/23/2009