Videos

The Son-Rise Program®: Getting Started

The Son-Rise Program was originated by Barry Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman in 1974 for their son, Raun, who was challenged by autism. Their treatment and education model has changed the way children with Autism are helped worldwide.

Through the course of the following video, you will experience an introduction to The Son-Rise Program, some practical tools from the Program that you can begin using today, and some examples of those tools in practice. If you are watching for the first time, we strongly suggest that you watch the full video so that you have a better understanding of the big picture before diving into specific areas of interest.

We hope you find this experience edifying and useful.

Meet the Originators

Barry Neil Kaufman & Samahria Lyte Kaufman share their journey with their son, Raun, the first Son-Rise Program child.
(11 minutes/4 seconds)

Meet Raun

Raun K. Kaufman is the original Son-Rise Program child. He fully recovered from Autism with no traces of his former condition. Raun is now a recognized expert in Autism treatment and CEO of Autism Treatment Center of America.
(1 minute/53 seconds)

Getting Started with your Son-Rise Program

Bryn Hogan, Executive Director of Autism Treatment Center of America, introduces three techniques that you can begin using immediately with your child.
(2 minutes/29 seconds)

Joining

Bryn Hogan introduces us to the concepts of "isms" (or "stims") and joining.
(6 minutes)

Eye Contact

Kate Wilde, Director of Training, introduces techniques in the development of eye contact with your child, a cornerstone of the Son-Rise Program.
(5 minutes/32 seconds)

Creating a Distraction Free Environment

William Hogan, Director of Programs, shares how to create an environment in which to conduct your home-based Son-Rise Program.
(5 minutes/27 seconds)

Putting it All Together

Bryn Hogan, introduces us to a series of segments in which trained child facilitors demonstrate the above techniques while working in the playroom with children.

In this first example, we are introduced to Jack who is five years old with a diagnosis of Autism. Jack's main challenges were making eye contact and interacting with other people.
(3 minutes/59 seconds)

Putting it All Together: Alex

Alex is seven years old with a diagnosis of Autism. One of his main challenges was using clear, single words. In this segment, you will see the facilitator join in his exclusive, repetitious behaviors and then, in a fun, interactive game, she will strongly request that Alex speak in clear, single words.
(2 minutes/23 seconds)

Putting it All Together: Arandip

Arandip is sixteen years old with a diagnosis of High Functioning Autism. One of his main challenges was the ability to participate in activies that were chosen by others. In this segment our facilitators join Arandip in his exclusive repetitious behavior of drawing flags over and over again. Watch as Arandip becomes engage and the facilitator enthusiastically encourages him to participate in her chosen activity.
(2 minutes/5 seconds)

Putting it All Together: Saugat

Saugat is eleven years old and diagnosed with Autism. One of his main challenges was communicating using verbal speech as he often used crying to express what he wanted. In this segment, our facilitator joins Saugat in his repetitious behavior. After the connection is made, Saugat allows the game to become even more interactive and uses speech to communicate.
(2 minutes/45 seconds)

Putting it All Together: Aaron

Aaron is seven years old with a diagnosis of Pervasive Developmental Disorder or PDD. Aaron is highly verbal; one of his main challenges was allowing variation within a topic of conversation.
(6 minutes/5 seconds)

Continuing Your Training

In this segment you'll learn how you can continue your Son-Rise Program training with training courses offered by Autism Treatment Center or America
(4 minutes/21 seconds)