Centro Ponceño de Autismo
Encyclopedia
The Centro Ponceño de Autismo (English: Ponce Autism Center), or CEPA, is the only center specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of autism
in Puerto Rico. It is a non-profit organization. The center leads progressive research studies and medical training while providing comprehensive, personalized care to children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), including Asperger's Disorder and PDD NOS. Working together with families, the Centro Ponceño de Autismo aims to identify the causes of autism and advance effective treatments. The Center currently cares for 179 patients.
on Calle Sol at N 18.01284 W 66.61923 (18°00'46.224" North, 66°37'9.228" West), in barrio Segundo
, a few blocks just northwest of Plaza Las Delicias
and the Terminal de Carros Publicos Carlos Garay makes it easily accessible to public transportation.
In 2007, the Autonomous Municipality of Ponce made public its intention to formally initiate the first phase of the development of the Autism Center, under the supervision of its First Lady, Mrs. Nancy Colón de Zayas. Mayor Zayas Seijo, while serving in the House of Representatives, in collaboration with former senator Ortiz Dalliot, secured 1.7 million dollars from local government funds for the development of this project in Ponce. Federal funds were obtained through the successful intervention of our governor-elect Hon. Luis Fortuño, as part of his activities in the US congress on behalf of the children of Ponce. Salvador (Chiry) Vasallo
and his wife Olga Vasallo donated seven acres in barrio Sabanetas, to house the project in its subsequent phases of development and clinical operation. In 2008 the Center officially open a brick-and-mortar facility at 120 Sol Street between Vives and Capitan Correa Streets.
CEPA is a multidisciplinary center with the mission to serve the Puerto Rican autistic population offering integrated services in the diagnosis and treatment of children in the Autism Spectrum Disorders via a model of intervention centered on the unique needs of each family. It also serves as a center where developing professionals can angage in practicums under the guidnace of practicing medical and paramedical professionals who already specialize in fields related to autism with the purpose of preparing more professionals to work with the increasing population of autism cases.
CEPA's mission is to detect at an early stage autism in children and to give them enhanced services to those in the southern part of Puerto Rico, over a condition that has seen a surge in its growth in Puerto Rico and which has been declared a public health
crisis. Autismo in Puerto Rico affect 1 of each 91 babies in 2011 compared to 1 in every 150 babies in 2008 when the Center was established and compared to 1 of every 2,500 babies in 1998. Services include evaluation and diagnosis, intervention, therapy, counseling to indivuduals and families and training to profesionals, among others. According to its director Dr. Deliz, The Center's goals are to achieve an integration of three interventions: the school personnel, the clinician, and the home, and to train professionals in all adjacent professional areas.
She also supports the existence of a public policy on the matter. In addition to evaluation, diagnosis, and psychological intervention for children, parents, and family, other services of the Center are psychological, speech and occupational therapies. The Center is concerned with the future of those with autism once they become adults.
The Center has trained over 500 primary care physician
s in Puerto Rico on clinical issues related to the treatment of autism.
in 2008. It operates as a dependency of the Government of the Municipality of Ponce, and receives grants and concessions from the municipality for its operations. CEPA is an independent corporation that receives various municipal grants for its operations. The municipality covers expenses such as utilities, security, and physical plant maintenance, in addition to absorbing the cost of space rental. In 2009 CEPA also received a municipal grant for $40,000 and another one in 2010 for $50,000.
It also received grants from the Government of Puerto Rico. In 2009, the Puerto Rico government granted the Center $100,000 from its general fund. In 2010, the Government of Puerto Rico approved Resolución Conjunta 487 assigning $520,000 to the Municipality of Ponce for operating the Center.
The Center is characterized by:
The Autism Clinical Program at the Center is a comprehensive assessment and treatment program that provides the a level of patient care supported by the latest research in the field and informed by the clinical expertise of the Center's staff. The Clinical Program is the first in Puerto Rico, and one of only a few in the United States, to integrate an outstanding and diverse research portfolio with clinical care for a community where such services are sorely needed. The clinical services team at the Center consists of psychologist
s, psychiatrist
s, geneticist
s, and social workers with specialized training in Autism Spectrum Disorders. The team has unique expertise working with children who have complex needs and who may be considered difficult to assess and treat elsewhere.
The Center has in its staff five specialists that include one of the few pediatric neuropsychology
s in Puerto Rico, and a speech pathologists who specializes in autism and an occupational therapist
.
The Center's service model comprises four domains: direct evaluation, diagnosis, intervention, and support services to children and their families, training and professional development, research, and public policy.
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
in Puerto Rico. It is a non-profit organization. The center leads progressive research studies and medical training while providing comprehensive, personalized care to children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), including Asperger's Disorder and PDD NOS. Working together with families, the Centro Ponceño de Autismo aims to identify the causes of autism and advance effective treatments. The Center currently cares for 179 patients.
Location
The center is centrally located in Ponce, Puerto Rico's second largest city, from where it serves the autism population of southern Puerto Rico. Its location in the Ponce Historic ZonePonce Historic Zone
The Ponce Historic Zone is a historic district in downtown Ponce, Puerto Rico with construction that dates to the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The zone was originally designated in 1962, and then it only included the center core of the city, but it has since been expanded to...
on Calle Sol at N 18.01284 W 66.61923 (18°00'46.224" North, 66°37'9.228" West), in barrio Segundo
Segundo (Ponce)
Segundo is one of the 31 barrios of the municipality of Ponce, Puerto Rico. Along with Primero, Tercero, Cuarto, Quinto, and Sexto, Segundo is one the municipality's six core urban barrios.-Location:...
, a few blocks just northwest of Plaza Las Delicias
Plaza Las Delicias
Plaza Las Delicias is the main plaza in the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico. The square is notable for its fountains and for the various monuments it contains. The historic Parque de Bombas and Ponce Cathedral buildings are located within Plaza Las Delicias. Plaza Las Delicias is actually composed of...
and the Terminal de Carros Publicos Carlos Garay makes it easily accessible to public transportation.
History
The history of the The Centro Ponceño de Autismo dates to 2006 when the parent organization of the Centro Ponceño de Autismo, Corporación para el Desarrollo del Centro Ponceño de Autismo, was founded on March 15 of that year with the intention of forming a center for autism evaluation and treatment in the city of Ponce. In 2007 the organization had already opened a "virtual" center on the Web at MySpace for awareness, support, and interest.In 2007, the Autonomous Municipality of Ponce made public its intention to formally initiate the first phase of the development of the Autism Center, under the supervision of its First Lady, Mrs. Nancy Colón de Zayas. Mayor Zayas Seijo, while serving in the House of Representatives, in collaboration with former senator Ortiz Dalliot, secured 1.7 million dollars from local government funds for the development of this project in Ponce. Federal funds were obtained through the successful intervention of our governor-elect Hon. Luis Fortuño, as part of his activities in the US congress on behalf of the children of Ponce. Salvador (Chiry) Vasallo
Salvador Vassallo
Salvador V. Vassallo, a.k.a. "Chiry", was the president and CEO of Vassallo Industries, headquartered in Ponce, Puerto Rico. The company produces PVC injection moulded and extruded goods, and markets them worldwise....
and his wife Olga Vasallo donated seven acres in barrio Sabanetas, to house the project in its subsequent phases of development and clinical operation. In 2008 the Center officially open a brick-and-mortar facility at 120 Sol Street between Vives and Capitan Correa Streets.
Mission
"To provide individualized assessment, intervention and support services which promote the optimal development of all persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other Developmental Disorders."CEPA is a multidisciplinary center with the mission to serve the Puerto Rican autistic population offering integrated services in the diagnosis and treatment of children in the Autism Spectrum Disorders via a model of intervention centered on the unique needs of each family. It also serves as a center where developing professionals can angage in practicums under the guidnace of practicing medical and paramedical professionals who already specialize in fields related to autism with the purpose of preparing more professionals to work with the increasing population of autism cases.
CEPA's mission is to detect at an early stage autism in children and to give them enhanced services to those in the southern part of Puerto Rico, over a condition that has seen a surge in its growth in Puerto Rico and which has been declared a public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
crisis. Autismo in Puerto Rico affect 1 of each 91 babies in 2011 compared to 1 in every 150 babies in 2008 when the Center was established and compared to 1 of every 2,500 babies in 1998. Services include evaluation and diagnosis, intervention, therapy, counseling to indivuduals and families and training to profesionals, among others. According to its director Dr. Deliz, The Center's goals are to achieve an integration of three interventions: the school personnel, the clinician, and the home, and to train professionals in all adjacent professional areas.
She also supports the existence of a public policy on the matter. In addition to evaluation, diagnosis, and psychological intervention for children, parents, and family, other services of the Center are psychological, speech and occupational therapies. The Center is concerned with the future of those with autism once they become adults.
The Center has trained over 500 primary care physician
Primary care physician
A primary care physician, or PCP, is a physician/medical doctor who provides both the first contact for a person with an undiagnosed health concern as well as continuing care of varied medical conditions, not limited by cause, organ system, or diagnosis....
s in Puerto Rico on clinical issues related to the treatment of autism.
Funding
The Center was inaugurated under the municipal administration of mayor Francisco Zayas SeijoFrancisco Zayas Seijo
Dr. Francisco R. Zayas Seijo, D.V.M., also known as Ico , is a former member of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives and mayor of the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico...
in 2008. It operates as a dependency of the Government of the Municipality of Ponce, and receives grants and concessions from the municipality for its operations. CEPA is an independent corporation that receives various municipal grants for its operations. The municipality covers expenses such as utilities, security, and physical plant maintenance, in addition to absorbing the cost of space rental. In 2009 CEPA also received a municipal grant for $40,000 and another one in 2010 for $50,000.
It also received grants from the Government of Puerto Rico. In 2009, the Puerto Rico government granted the Center $100,000 from its general fund. In 2010, the Government of Puerto Rico approved Resolución Conjunta 487 assigning $520,000 to the Municipality of Ponce for operating the Center.
Autism clinical program
The Centro Ponceño de Autismo offers an overreaching service model founded on a biophysiosocial model of health based on the stages of humana development. The model defines the develpment of the person as a result of the integration of biological, psychological and social factor. The different areas of develpment (physical, social, emotional, cognitive, behavioral, comunicational, integration, and sensorial modulation) are attended to in an integrated and functional manner.The Center is characterized by:
- family-centered services, considering that participation of the family is essential as they are the ones closest to the affected child
- interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary services
- individual intervention designed according to the profile of strengths and needs of the child and its family
- the use of various treatment models and strategies supported by scientific evidence
- an emphasis on attending to the needs of the child and his/her family in the least restrictive environment possible
- respect and awareness for the cultural and individual differences of the family and the community
- a commitment to provide accessible and results-oriented quality services
The Autism Clinical Program at the Center is a comprehensive assessment and treatment program that provides the a level of patient care supported by the latest research in the field and informed by the clinical expertise of the Center's staff. The Clinical Program is the first in Puerto Rico, and one of only a few in the United States, to integrate an outstanding and diverse research portfolio with clinical care for a community where such services are sorely needed. The clinical services team at the Center consists of psychologist
Psychologist
Psychologist is a professional or academic title used by individuals who are either:* Clinical professionals who work with patients in a variety of therapeutic contexts .* Scientists conducting psychological research or teaching psychology in a college...
s, psychiatrist
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. All psychiatrists are trained in diagnostic evaluation and in psychotherapy...
s, geneticist
Geneticist
A geneticist is a biologist who studies genetics, the science of genes, heredity, and variation of organisms. A geneticist can be employed as a researcher or lecturer. Some geneticists perform experiments and analyze data to interpret the inheritance of skills. A geneticist is also a Consultant or...
s, and social workers with specialized training in Autism Spectrum Disorders. The team has unique expertise working with children who have complex needs and who may be considered difficult to assess and treat elsewhere.
The Center has in its staff five specialists that include one of the few pediatric neuropsychology
Pediatric neuropsychology
Pediatric neuropsychology is a specialty within the field of psychology and related health care sciences. The emphasis in pediatric neuropsychology is the study and understanding of brain-behavior relationships, specifically in children with known or suspected brain injury, neurodevelopmental...
s in Puerto Rico, and a speech pathologists who specializes in autism and an occupational therapist
Occupational therapist
An occupational therapist is trained in the practice of occupational therapy. The role of an occupational therapist is to work with a client to help them achieve a fulfilled and satisfied state in life through the use of "purposeful activity or interventions designed to achieve functional...
.
The Center's service model comprises four domains: direct evaluation, diagnosis, intervention, and support services to children and their families, training and professional development, research, and public policy.