Program Overview

Introduction to the Little Steps: Early Intervention Program

The Little Steps: Early Intervention Program is a comprehensive initiative designed to provide individualized, high-quality learning opportunities to children with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The program operates from the Edna A. Hill Child Development Center, located on the first floor of Haworth Hall at the University of Kansas.

Program Overview

The program strives to work collaboratively with each family to help each child grow, develop, and achieve their full potential. It offers an Early intensive behavioral intervention program to promote skill acquisition and decrease problem behavior. Enrollment is available for children ages 2 ½ through 7 with intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as Down syndrome or Fragile X.

Key Features

• An Early intensive behavioral intervention program to promote skill acquisition and decrease problem behavior
• Enrollment for children ages 2 ½ through 7 with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• One-on-one ABA intervention involving individualized, evidence-based assessment and intervention to increase appropriate skills and decrease challenging behavior
• An environment that fosters an active approach to challenging prejudice, stereotyping, and bias through teaching inclusion and anti-bias behavior

Schedule

The program operates from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday, following the university semester schedule. It is closed during fall and spring breaks, intersessions, and all university holidays.

Curriculum

The Little Steps program was founded by Claudia Dozier, Ph.D., BCBA, and Pamela Neidert, Ph.D., BCBA, who are faculty in the Applied Behavior Science (ABS) Department at the University of Kansas. The program is overseen by two faculty advisors, a professor of practice, and a program coordinator. Staffed by practicum students working toward a degree in Applied Behavioral Science, the program provides intensive behavioral intervention through individualized curriculum to promote socially significant behavior change. This includes:

• Social skills
• Communication and language skills
• Independent self-care skills
• Gross and fine motor skills
• Pre-academic skills
• Behavioral intervention to decrease challenging behavior The program also provides family support, including parent coaching and support, sibling training and education, community resource information, progress reports, and daily communication journals.

Fees

Tuition fees may vary.

Program Leadership and Staff

The program is overseen by:

• Two faculty advisors (Drs. Pamela Neidert and Isaac Melanson)
• The professor of practice (Dr. Reagan McGee)
• The program coordinator (Erin Herschell) A full-time lead therapist and graduate students directly supervise undergraduate practicum students working in the program.