ACES is excited to announce a unique sibling program now being offered in the Orange County clinic. Open ACES blends siblings of clients, typical peer model volunteers, and clients with autism into small groups to learn from one another. Clients and siblings of all ages are welcome to join. Trained and caring behavior interventionists work diligently to help all siblings, volunteers, and clients with autism feel important and included.

Open ACES strives to create an environment where everyone is learning and gaining self-confidence along the way. Activities are designed to highlight cooperation among the group, target individualized goals, and most importantly be fun and child-like. According to one study, typical peers who participate as a peer model in a social program were more likely to be connected with children with autism than children who do not participate as a peer model (Locke, Fuller, Kasari, 2014).

Two brothers that have been attending Open ACES regularly are Oscar, age 4, and his older, typical sibling, Gianni. Prior to their participation in Open ACES, their mother, Alma, reports the brothers would be separated in their lives by activities that would consume only their individual interests. Now, she says, “Open ACES helps Gianni see other siblings like himself. He is more accepting of kids with different abilities. They play better together. They look for each other to play and miss each other when they aren ‘t there.”

The peer models that work with children like Oscar and Gianni are specially trained and have a deep understanding of the needs of our clients. Often times, typical peer model volunteers see ACES staff in and out of their homes and the therapy that takes place. This program has provided an opportunity for typical peers to be a part of therapy, and to learn more about how they can interact with others in their community with different abilities.