Structure of the Training Program

Training to use The Son-Rise Program® at the professional level is a two stage process. All training programs are held at the Autism Treatment Center of America™ in Western Massachusetts.

Stage One: 18-Month Child Facilitator Training Program

This dynamic, intensive training program employs a comprehensive range of teaching modalities in combination with extensive experience working one-on-one with children and adults with special needs. The teaching modalities include:

• Observation of senior Son-Rise Program Child Facilitators working with special children and adults demonstrating The Son-Rise Program® principles and techniques.
• One-on-one experience working with special children and adults to develop techniques, attitude and confidence. This practicum time increases as the skill level of the student increases.
• Direct observation by senior Son-Rise Program staff trainers providing specific and individualized instruction to steadily move the student towards mastery of the necessary skills.
• Video-assisted learning under the direct guidance of senior Son-Rise Program staff trainers following an extensive curriculum.
• Interactive group classes focusing on principles of The Son-Rise Program® and practical application of The Option Process®.
• Weekly written assignments requiring analysis of relevant literature.
• Direct and personalized supervision from a senior staff trainer with clear and specific guidance on reaching certification level.

Upon successful completion of the above program graduates will be awarded the title of Son-Rise Program Certified Child Facilitator. This allows the graduate to use The Son-Rise Program® professionally with children and adults with special needs. It also provides eligibility for application to continue into stage two of the Child Facilitator Training Program. Completion of Stage Two is crucial for graduates who want to apply for either a permanent staff position at the Autism Treatment Center of America™ or a position on The Son-Rise Program® Professional Referral Network.

Stage Two: 18-Month Senior Child Facilitator Internship

Successful applicants to stage two will be offered the following:

• An 18-month full-time employment contract as a Son-Rise Program Child Facilitator at the Autism Treatment Center of America with excellent vacation and benefit packages.
• Opportunities to work with children and adults on an in-home outreach basis.
• Training to explain effectively the basic techniques and principles of The Son-Rise Program® to parents of children and adults with special needs.
• Training provided in order to lead a team of on-staff Child Facilitators through the process of evaluating a child for parents, as well as chairing goal setting meetings.
• Eligibility, after successful completion of 12-months of this internship, to apply for The Son-Rise Program® Teacher Training Program
• The opportunity to complete playroom hours required for Professional Network eligibility.

Note: Students whose visa does not allow US residence for the full three-year term can apply to complete their Senior Child Facilitator Internship at an alternate location.

Post-Training Career Options
Upon completion of Stages One and Two, graduates will be eligible to apply for one of the two following career paths:

1. Senior Child Facilitator Staff Position at the Autism Treatment Center of America. Successful applicants will be offered:

• A permanent contract, competitive salary and exceptional benefits, to become a key part of the elite team at the Autism Treatment Center of America working alongside the foremost leading professionals in The Son-Rise Program with an international and extensive range of families.
• Wide-ranging employee benefits from The Option Institute including the ability to take a 5-day personal growth program, attend additional Option Process staff classes and dialogues.
• Opportunities to work with children and adults on an in-home outreach basis.
• Eligibility to apply for The Son-Rise Program on site Teacher Training Program.
  

2. Senior Child Facilitator Position on The Son-Rise Program Professional Referral Network.
Successful applicants will be offered:

• An Independent Contractor agreement with the Autism Treatment Center of America whereby the Senior Child Facilitator will be referred and recommended to families using The Son-Rise Program.
• The opportunity to set up a private practice as a Son-Rise Program Child Facilitator. Those in private practice choose their base location and amount of national or international travel required to work with families.

Financing the Training Program
There are two ways to finance Stage One of the Child Facilitator Training Program:

• a.) Tuition-based Training. The cost for the two-year training as described above is $28,000 for a paying student. Students may apply to The Option Institute for a scholarship to reduce this cost, if eligible. Typically, half the final tuition cost is due before the beginning of the training program and the balance is due after the first six months of training.
• b.) Apprenticeship Training. In addition to applying to the training program, applicants must also apply to The Option Institute for an employment position. If the applicant is offered an apprenticeship position, the tuition cost of $28,000 will be waived. The apprentice will then be paid a base salary until certification level is reached. This base salary is sufficient to support one person in Western Massachusetts and will be increased twice over the two-year duration if all employment and training standards are met. Job assignments will be made according to the needs of The Option Institute and the skills of the applicant. Apprentices will work a 39 hour week (Monday through Friday) and the Child Facilitator Training Program will be completed within the regular work week, not as additional hours.
  

Related Pages:

Enrollment Requirements and Application Process
After Certification
Professional Training Programs