Established in 1975, the Children’s Unit for Treatment and Evaluation (CUTE) provides intensive educational services to children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders, as well as related behavioral/emotional disorders on a full day, 12-month basis. CUTE functions with the dual status of a private, State Education Department certified school (NYS Legislature-1977) and a University program. The Unit accepts children, ages 1-11 years, with a number of diagnostic labels. These diagnostic categories are descriptive of the type of problem manifested by the child rather than selection criteria. Special emphasis is placed upon early intervention for autism and related disorders.

The intent of the Unit is to function as a unique resource for assessment and habilitation to prepare the child to functionally participate in the school system. The unit accepts children who have not progressed in the school system or who are at high risk for failure upon entry to the school system. Children are accepted for the short-term (2 years on average), intensive program.

Services provided by the Unit are evidence-based. Methodologically sound peer reviewed, published research determines the services we provide. We place emphasis on an individual evaluation of each child's assets and deficits, past history, family goals, current functioning, the specific parameters of the child's learning pattern, and an analysis of maintaining factors of current behavior patterns. Goals are broken down into small units, with each unit taught at the child's own pace to achieve final goals within the context of a structured and supportive environment.

Early Intervention, Pre-School and School-Age Educational Services

The Children’s Unit for Treatment and Evaluation (CUTE) offers a full-day, year-round educational program for children with autism spectrum disorders and related behavioral/emotional disorders.

Intensive, prioritized focused services geared toward addressing deficits manifested in:

• Behavior and emotional development
• Communication
• Social interaction
• Self-regulation
• Cognitive skills
• Academic skills
• Adaptive skills

Services offered through CUTE are based on current research. Within the services model is the critical boundary condition of precise and continuing functional behavior analysis and detailed progress monitoring.

• Assessment of children at the Unit is literally a daily process.
• A substantial amount of information is obtained for each child on a continuing basis, which is used in the delineation and implementation of their individualized intervention program.
• Assessment information is collected for the use of evaluating the adequacy of the program and modifying the ongoing program to maximize its efficacy and efficiency.

Individualized child goals are directed by professionals with extensive backgrounds in the treatment of children with autism and severe developmental delays including:

• clinical psychologists,
• certified special eduaction teachers,
• school psychologists,
• speech pathologists, and
• board certified behavior analysts

These same staff members routinely work with each child to obtain first-hand experience with the child and his/her learning need so as to maximize their professional impact. A comprehensive, focused curriculum strategy is used in which strengths, deficits, and maladaptive areas are identified through extensive assessment. This approach permits the effective utilization of the Unit’s extensive resources and ensures the transition of the child to an appropriate placement as rapidly as possible. In addition to the large core of professionals and teacher assistants, both undergraduate and doctoral clinical psychology graduate students assist in the implementation of daily programs and assessments with the children.

Parent Education

The CUTE program also offers education to parents of children enrolled in the program. The Parent Education program is designed to teach parents:

• Basic principles of behavior management
• Task analysis
• Appropriate goal selection
• Program development
• Program implementation
• Program evaluation

Workshops and trainings on topics related to issues encountered by parents of children with autism spectrum disorders are also offered. Examples of recent workshop/training topics include:

• Sleep issues
• Feeding problems
• Improving communication skills in the home
• Toilet training
• Managing stress

Parent Education is an integral part of the CUTE program. As active participants in the educational process, parents can significantly assist in preparing their child to function as independently as is possible.

Contact information for CUTE

CUTE is located within the Institute for Child Development (ICD) on the Binghamton University campus in Binghamton, New York.

• Directions to the ICD.
• For specific questions about CUTE, please call (607) 777-2829 or email icdinfo@binghamton.edu.