When I started the CATCH Clinic it was with the intention of creating a professional, effective and trusted resource for families dealing with the challenges in raising an ASD family member. Prior to that I had…
However after ten years in the field I realized that while the treatment I provided gave invaluable benefits to the child in building their academic, school readiness and language skills, one continuous challenge I faced was in teaching ASD children how to deal and adapt to various dynamic changes and learning opportunities that people encounter in a day to day basis. The young children that I worked with were now growing into young adults and despite their years of therapy, were still facing monumental challenges in their ability to cope with the unpredictability of the dynamic world and ever changing social situations.
Being able to engage on a meaningful level and develop true relationships with both their family members and their peers out in the real world continue to be monumental challenges. Knowing how to resolve problems independently and spontaneously, such as a making decision on how much study time one should have to prepare for a test, finding an alternative when a preferred item is not available during a grocery shopping trip or choosing a place to park their car – were often formidable and anxiety provoking, even for the highest functioning clients. I knew that there had to be something beyond the behavioral approach that would better help our children to navigate the myriad of unforeseen challenges they would encounter in adult life.
“… for true connection to happen it takes a concerted, dedicated partnership between parent and professional, one that will give your child an opportunity to attain a much greater chance at life than you expect for them now. “
I then embarked on a journey of discovery and self-reflection that led me to find that there were a great many new fields of research and theory being developed outside of the behavioral model that were more effective, more humane and more family friendly. I learned that by utilizing developmentally-based, parent-driven programs that took mothers and fathers out of the position of a simple bystander, and gave them an active and critical role in their own child’s development. I saw that with the right structure, families could come together as a cohesive, focused unit in order to fight a common challenge.
Now, along with my husband and partners I provide relationship-based family treatment plans that address autism as a condition affecting the entire family unit, not just one individual. We see our mission as one of education, guidance, coaching and encouragement; a mission to help families move past the period of crisis that a diagnosis of autism brings, and to empower parents to take back their rightful role as the primary change agent in their child’s lives. By expecting more out of their ASD child we prepare them for a life of independence, meaningful relationships and an increased quality of life.
I believe that we should help expose ASD individuals to the endless dynamic opportunities the world offers, and help them to explore and live in it instead of simply coping and remaining their own safe, static and predictable world. I believe that for true remediation to happen it takes a concerted, dedicated partnership between parent and professional, one that will give your child an opportunity to attain a much greater chance at life than you expect of them now. I hope you will connect with us to learn more and see if our program is the right option for your family. My best wishes to you and your family in whatever path you choose.
Maisie Soetantyo, M.Ed.
Founder and Supervising Director
CATCH Clinic