CURRICULUM

The following therapies have proven successful in assisting young people to move forward with their lives.

1. Nutrition is an outstanding component for young people with ASD and DD. This is taught by Ambika Wauters. We combine the research of two independent researchers whose findings are similar to one another, for the treatment of young people with ASD and DD. Donna Gates's Body Ecology Diet from the USA, and Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride's Gut and Psychology Syndrome Diet from the UK offer the most comprehensive treatment of ASD and DD using nutrition.

   Our nutritional program contains no wheat, dairy, or sugar. It focuses on the establishment of healthy intestinal flora to create a resilient immune system and a healthy, functioning mind. All food is prepared in a certified kitchen with the highest standard of hygiene by food professionals.

   A copy of the diet, along with recipes, is provided to the parents.

2. Classical Homeopathy, and Homeopathic Color and Sound remedies are offered by Ambika Wauters, director of the School of Spiritual Homeopathy and homeopathic consultant in Tucson, AZ. This work addresses the totality of symptoms of young people with ASD and DD. The Homeopathic Color and Sound remedies, developed by Ambika Wauters, are remedies targeting the energetic core of the child to expand the field in which healing happens. They provide balance for the individual.

   Remedies, tailored to meet the health needs of each young person, are used in five ways throughout treatment to cover the general and specific approaches of each person with ASD and DD.

   1. Miasmatic Treatment addresses the underlying genetic inheritance and predisposition of the young person. Miasms are treated over a period of time and remedies are given to people at different times of year, depending on their immunological needs.
   2. Constitutional Treatment is designed to address the totality of symptoms, mental, emotional and physical of the individual person. They are given to strengthen the person's core and to open the possibility for a more direct encounter with the world by addressing such emotions as fear, aggression, anxiety, depression and shame.
   3. Support Remedies remove the imprint of drugs and chemicals on the young person. These remedies are given to strengthen the immune system through detoxification. They have a strong affinity to healing the central nervous system as well as the mind, body and spirit of the individual.
   4. Bowel Nosodes affect intestinal dysbiosis and transform intestinal flora from a weak, compromised gut lining, which is highly acidic, to a more alkaline and vibrant and functional state of health. Bowel Nosodes affect both behavior and body function.
   5. Color and Sound Remedies open a field of energy that allows the healing process to begin and be maintained. They tonify, stimulate or sedate the energy of the person.
   6. Different remedies are given throughout treatment. Seldom are more than one remedy given at any one time.
3. Neuro-developmental Treatments: Neurodevelopment reflex integration transforms the motor and sensory abilities of young people and strengthens their core reflexes. This is done with the following therapies:
   1. Rhythmic Movement Training: taught by liscenced practitioner, Nancy Peterson. This work , developed by Harold Blumberg of Sweden, establishes rhythmic movement patterns in the central nervous system. It creates a flow of life energy to release blocks and limitations to movement and cognition. It is foundational work upon which all other neurological integrative development builds.
   2. Masgutovamethod Reflex Integration: Taught by Nancy Peterson. This work developed by Svetlana Masgutova of Poland, integrates the primative reflexes and allows for accessibility to greater movement, fluidity and wholeness . It impacts behavior and congition as well. It is gentle, non-invasive and yeilds outstanding results.
   3. Brain Gym, taught by Nancy Peterson, is a movement based program that addresses the role of the brain in learning and uses a body alphabet of 26 movements and a goal-oriented balancing process involving 5 key steps.
   4. HANDLE, (Holistic Approach to Neuro-Developmental and Learning Efficiency), taught by Nancy Peterson, involves specifically tailored movements which integrate the young person's neuro-developmental system in order to attain a higher level of sensory motor activity.

   Each parent is given an assessment of the young person's needs and progress reports can be obtained during and after camp. Equipment for home exercises is provided for each parent.

4. Cranial Sacral Therapy

   These gentle, non-invasive body treatments are to release the effects of stress on the nervous system and open a threshold for life energy to revitalize and heal the young person. Treatments are done over clothing to harmonize and restore energy flow and vitality. This is offered by a trained professional therapist.

   Diagrams and exercises are given to each parent to take home for regular healing sessions on themselves and for their children.

5. Family Constellation Therapy offered by Dan Booth Cohen

   Family Constellation is a guided process that dramatically reduces stress for the parents and siblings of young people with ASD. Families dealing with a child who requires extra care and attention may lose sight of the bigger picture. The Constellation process allows parents to perceive their daily struggle through a long, wide lens. In this timeless space, they come into profound and lasting contact with the expanses forces of love and life that brought their unique family together.

   The Heart of Peace always includes a heart of darkness. We naturally avoid negative and frightening spaces. When our children retreat from contact or express unprovoked fear or rage, they may become identified as the problem in the family. In many cases, their illness reflects an older, invisible wound in the family system that has been lost to conscious awareness but continues to exert influence. The Constellation is designed to reveal and resolve these influences in one or two sessions.

   Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt, whose 5 Levels of Healing model is embraced by The Heart of Peace program, has identified the fourth level as the Intuitive Body, what Carl Jung called the collective unconscious. Dr. Klinghardt strongly recommends that families affected by ASD use the Family Constellation process. Resolving invisible interferences allow the treatments on the physical, energetic, and mental levels to work more effectively.

PROJECT EVALUATION PLAN

Young people will be monitored and assessed in a personal interview with the parents prior to arrival at the Institute. A written assessment will be sent to the parent at the end of program with recommendations for specific exercises. A follow up evaluation will be done three months after the program to assess the progress of the young person in learning and development, and to access the parent’s compliance with recommendations.

An evaluation form will be given to all parents to assess the program, individual instructors and each aspect of the program.

A network will be setup with names, addresses and phone numbers that will be given to each parent with their consent. A conference call will be set up every two months to connect the group and discuss on-going treatment in one of the five therapies offered.

PARENT SUPPORT

Two elements of a successful program are integration and continuation of therapies for each family. All families will be assured of both through a Parent Coordinator, who will act as the liaison between each child’s mother(s), father(s) child care providers, therapists, teachers and HOPI staff. This service assures continuity of intervention and an appropriate “take-home” therapy program.

Before the program begins, families will share evaluations, therapy reports and any diagnostic information that can assist HOPI staff in prescribing appropriate services with the Parent Coordinator. As appropriate, she will communicate with those who know the child best at home and school.

During the HOPI program, attending adults will participate in daily educational group sessions designed to inform them about the efficacy of the dietary and therapeutic treatments their children are receiving. Each family will also have an individual session with the Parent Coordinator in order to fully understand their child’s program Sessions on self-care for the caregiver will also be included. If issues arise concerning behavioral management, parents will learn how to assess possible sensory or physiological causes of behavior instead of treating the behaviors symptomatically.

All families will receive an “exit interview” and systematic home program treatment plan in order to continue dietary modification and therapeutic interventions when returning home after the program. Included will be a notebook of resources for reference. Resources include articles, websites and books, as well as names and contact information for individuals and organizations in their community who can continue to offer therapeutic and educational support.