Helping you ImPACT your childs life!

Autism Center

University of Iowa Childrens Hospital

Children who have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) cant always talk or play with their friends or family. Parents want their children to succeed in life. So, what can they do to help their children with ASD learn the right social skills so they can learn and grow? The Autism Center has a new program that might be the perfect t for you and your child!

What is it?
It is called Project ImPACT, which is short for Improving Parents as Communication Teachers. It is a 13-week intervention program. It is designed to improve the social skills of young children who have an ASD. Psychologists, Dr. Todd Kopelman and Dr. Kelly Pelzel, along with Speech and Language Pathologist, Molly Jones, will teach parents ways to help develop their childs imitation, language, and play skills. The 13-week program starts with an intake session. This is where we get the information we need to work with you and your child. Then, there will be 6 parent groups, and 6 individual times to coach and work with each child and their parent. Studies show this program works!

Dr. Todd Kopelman

Who can come?

This program is available to children between the ages of one and six years old. They need to have the diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD, Autistic Disorder, PDD-NOS). At least one parent must be able to come and be part of each training.

When will it be held?

The training begins Monday, September 9th with the intake session. The training goes until Monday, December 9th. We will break for Thanksgiving week. The group training will be from 3-5 pm. We will meet for individual sessions from 3-3:45 pm or from 4-4:45 pm.

Dr. Kelly Pelzel

Where will it be held?

The group training will be in Room 150 (the Solomons Conference Room) at the Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD). The intake and individual training will be at CDD or the Child Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic. This will depend upon your therapist.

What does it cost?

You are responsible for all costs. It is important that you contact your insurance company before the training starts to see if they will cover treatment with a psychologist and/or a speech therapist. If your insurance company asks for codes you can get that information when you call us.

Molly Jones

Do you want to join us? Do you have more questions?

Please contact Kelly Pelzel by email at kelly-pelzel@uiowa.edu or you can call her at 384-7161. You can reach Molly Jones by email at molly-e-jones@uiowa.edu or by phone 356-0445.

Please call today! Space is limited!