FACT - Family, Adult and Child Therapies

Results: Thousands of children, youth, adults and families have been assisted since FACT was formed in 1999. Some of the youth that the organization originally served are still being supported as adults. Self-determination is at the core of our services, and individual choice is respected. Full inclusion in educational, career and family life is the goal that has been achieved by thousands of those we have served.

Target demographics: children, adults and families facing challenges of autism spectrum disorder.

Direct beneficiaries per year: over 200 students, young adults, adults and families

Geographic areas served: Los Angeles County

Programs: FACT's GAP program (generating all possibilities) is a unique community integration program serving adults ages 18- 28 with developmental disabilities by providing supported hands-on vocational and educational experiences through student-developed and student-run social enterprises. GAP is dedicated to teaching vocational skills students can apply across numerous settings and assists in their successful transition into adult life and adult responsibilities. GAP also provides a unique series of supports and opportunities for its students including support on community college campuses, internships and volunteer opportunities with community partners, and a wide variety of workshops and activities enhancing executive functioning, development of vocational skills and ability to socially integrate into the communities in which they live and work. The key aspect of GAP, however, is the opportunity for the students to bond with each other within all the activities. The students thus become not only more equipped to deal with the challenges of adulthood but also feel a sense of community with each other. FACT is committed to providing cutting edge mental health services to individuals and families as they move towards achieving their goals of increasing the quality of their lives. FACT provides a number of outpatient mental health services including individual therapy, psychotherapy, exploratory play therapy, couples therapy and parent education and training. FACT provides support groups, which provide social skills training for individuals with autism and their siblings through normalizing experiences where existing skills are strengthened and more acute social awareness is developed. Alongside this social skills group a parent education and support group is lead by members of our licensed clinical team fact also conducts autism specific assessments for individuals seeking diagnosis and remains committed to advancing the mental health field by providing graduate and postgraduate interns with field/practicum hours and clinical supervision. FACT is dedicated to supporting children, families and adults living with autism spectrum and other related disorders to maximize their quality of life and participation in the communities in which they live and work by providing supports for children and young adults in schools, supporting them and their families at home, and conducting socialization and support groups for children, teens and adults. This holistic approach empowers children and families to better equip themselves with the various skills and supports needed throughout their lives. FACT strives to support families in connecting with one another through family support groups and community outings, and provides consultations to those reaching out to us. FACT is similarly committed to provide both training and education to undergraduate and graduate students training for service in the field, taking a hands-on approach to client engagement and organizational support. FACT strives to educate professionals in the field and the community at large about autism through its speakers bureau and supports other not-for-profits in their work in the field.