Son-Rise Rises Again (2)
June 8, 2006 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
What is now called the Autism Treatment Center of America used simply to be known as the “Son-Rise Program.” Based on the program’s philosophy and treatment methods, I gather the program’s name is a play on the word “sunrise”: Thanks to the Son-Rise’s programs methods, an autistic son or daughter can “rise” and “come out” of his or her autistic darkness.
In yesterday’s Raising Sums for Son-Rise post, I noted that many articles about the Son-Rise program also talk about how an autism family is raising large sums of money to finance the program. Yet another such article appears in today’s Observer News.
Something about Son-Rise just does not seem to add up.
The Autism Treatment Centre of America is part of the Option Institute. All of the courses they offer cost an exorbitant amount of money. I used to get their mail-outs, and I’m sure my parents are still on their mailing list (with my name on the label).
This is their site. Apparently, “happiness is a choice”, and “to love is to be happy with”. (One has to assume, then, that anyone who is not happy has (a) chosen to be unhappy and (b) chosen poorly for themselves.)
I, personally, find it telling that the Option Method is not described in my psychology text books.
Nine years ago, it was $7000 for a week. Hard telling what it is now. One of the parents in the group I belong to went there with her autistic son…she loved it, but that’s all I know.
I got the book from the library. My usual story. Janna has it down to the essence…happiness is a choice, to love is to be happy with.
I’m wondering too why so many parents from the UK are publicizing their use of the Options Institute. The articles I’ve seen all quote the figure of 10,000 pounds—-translates into $18,428.41.
It’s only about two thousand US dollars and they have scholarships that are based on your income. So before you go running your mouth you should get the facts…
Thanks
Thanks for the information, Sally. Do you use the Son-Rise program for your child?
No, my neighbor does thou. Her son is 9 and he never talked untill he went to the son-rise pogram, know he talks and is in school. He has changed so much in the past year. So I give son-rise so much respect in what they do. They may have made a poor mistake in their press release but they do miracles.
That’s great for our neighbor’s son. Is he still doing Son-Rise?