Autism Programs

Wilderwood’s flagship program is designed and led by people with autism. The adults with autism program is offered throughout the year in an immersive, week-long format, and is an equine-assisted curriculum that involves classroom coursework, individual and small-group discussion, reflective assignments, equine interaction, fieldwork, and a customized mentor-assisted plan to assist participants make and meet their individual goals. Wilderwood’s Equine Assisted program for children is an integrative approach drawn from multiple fields and disciplines. Adults with autism are active participants in the program as assistants, mentors, and role-models. The children with autism program is offered in eight-week sessions of 90 minutes/week three times a year.

Bridges is a behavioral healthcare provider serving individuals with Autism. Clients can learn functional skills, such as social, communication, cognitive, and behavioral skills in their homes, in Bridges' ABA Center, therapists’ offices, schools, and communities. Individuals on the spectrum are supported with ABA, Behavior Therapy, and/or Speech Therapy. Their parents, caregivers, and families are supported through Parent Training and Family Guidance, and Individual and Family Counseling. Bridges' ABA Center provides children with individualized and group instruction, preparing them with classroom-readiness skills. A secure outdoor playground provides children with the physical movement and an indoor play area is offered for sensory and play activities. Autism Diagnostic Evaluations are also provided.

Aprendamos Intervention Team is a therapist-run organization that serves children and families’ needs through early intervention. Team services include speech-language, occupational, physical, and family therapists. A nurse, nutritionist, family services coordinators, developmental instructions, infant massage therapists, and pediatric specialists are also available. Mental health clinicians specializing in play therapy interventions, MDMR, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and more. The Autism program has 16 Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) and about 50 Registered Behavior Therapists (RBT).

The UNM CDD Autism Spectrum Evaluation Clinic (ASEC) provides diagnostic evaluations for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or related conditions. The clinic sees children ages 3 and older to evaluate social and emotional development, communication, thinking and problem-solving ability, adaptive skills, and behavior. Teams have strong expertise in ASD and developmental disabilities and may include a pediatrician, clinical psychologist, speech-language pathologist, family therapist, and/or clinical social worker, depending on need. Following evaluation, ASEC assists families in finding resources for their children, or provides recommendations for treatment or other assessments if needed. If a child is diagnosed with ASD, ASEC makes referrals to other services in the Autism Programs at the CDD or to community services.

The Autism Family and Provider Resource Team is part of the Autism Programs at UNM CDD . The statewide program focuses on supporting and serving individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families, caregivers, educators, and communities. Through phone or email, team members can assist with topics ranging from problem-solving individual issues to helping find resources online. In addition Autism Program trainings are available for a wide range of topics around ASD.