History

During the summer of 2006 the P.A.L.S. pilot program accommodated
seven children, diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.  The program focused on improving social and life skills, appropriate behavior, independence and self-esteem.  It gave participants the opportunity to enjoy gymnastics, karate, yoga, music, bowling,
team sports, interactive games and many field trips into the community in a safe and accepting environment.  The program was very successful and has continued, in the form of social skills groups, with many returning clients.

 

Staff

Jessica Campbell, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism, is the Founder of P.A.L.S.  She received her Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism from the Sage Colleges.  At P.A.L.S. she designs and facilitates social skills groups for individuals with autism spectrum disorders.  Jessica consults with families and creates individualized programs, which she implements through one-on-one intervention. She also provides IEP consultation for families.  This can be facilitated during a consultation prior to the IEP, as a consultant attending the IEP with the family, as a school observation, and/or parent teacher conference. 

Jessica is collaborating with Grant a Gift Autism Foundation by designing and providing monthly workshops for typical siblings of children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorders.  She is also partnering with The Lovaas Center and Grant a Gift Autism Foundation on the B.U.D.S. program, which provides social and life skills training for children.  She is designing and providing parent training for this program, as well as consulting.  Jessica also provides training in the community on topics such as the characteristics of autism, implementing behavioral strategies and inclusion. Jessica is a member of the Nevada Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders and participates in state legislative meetings.  She is also a Co-Chair of the Subcommittee on Workforce- University Programs- and Professional Training.

She has worked at the Children’s Hospital Child Care Center as an inclusion specialist assistant. Her caseload consisted of children diagnosed with different levels of autism, which required one-on-one behavioral therapy. Jessica has also participated in Pathways (a social skills program which combines at risk and typical children in a structured play setting), working alongside a team consisting of an occupational therapist, a speech and language pathologist and an inclusion specialist. In addition Jessica has worked as a Child Development Counselor at the San Diego Center for Children, where she administered one-on-one behavioral therapy in a school setting, as well as, life and social skills training in a home setting.