Ascent Autism
Ascent Autism offers online group therapy and family training services for individuals with autism, using evidence-based techniques to improve social skills and Balanced Speech Production (BSP). Founded by Hye Ryeon Lee, PhD, the company serves families nationally and provides personalized peer group matching and real-time progress updates via a digital health platform.
Services
Ascent Autism specializes in online group therapy for individuals with autism. The company offers a variety of services including social skills group therapy and family training sessions. Fit assessments are conducted to evaluate each learner’s strengths, challenges, and interests, ensuring they are placed in peer groups with similar age, interests, and social skill levels. Additionally, personalized matching, weekly social sessions, and access to moderated chat rooms are included. Family training involves weekly sessions, goal setting, and progress measurements to help parents become effective therapists for their children. Sessions run for 55 minutes weekly for peer groups and 30 minutes for 1:1 sessions.
Founders
Ascent Autism was founded by Hye Ryeon Lee, PhD, in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. The company was established with the collaboration of behavior analysts, professors, and technologists, who aimed to create a comprehensive support system for individuals with autism, leveraging evidence-based techniques and advanced technologies.
Research and Evidence-Based Techniques
Ascent Autism employs evidence-based techniques and has published research on the efficacy of their Peer Group Therapy. Their methodologies have been presented at various international conferences. One notable outcome is that historically under-communicators can improve their Balanced Speech Production (BSP) by 57.4% within 2 months, while historically over-communicators show a 46.6% improvement in the same timeframe. Artificial intelligence is used to collect metrics on each learner's social skill development, enabling real-time updates and communication through their digital health platform.
Peer Group Therapy Programs
Ascent Autism offers online peer group therapy, including sessions that typically consist of 3-7 peers, which are conducted via Zoom. These peer group sessions are designed to create a safe space for individuals with autism to develop social skills and grow socially and emotionally. The company guarantees a full refund if a child does not significantly improve their social skills after attending all sessions for 3 months. All services are accessible nationally, accepting individuals with autism aged 4 to 35 years old.
Locations and Accessibility
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, Ascent Autism serves families nationwide through online platforms. All services are conducted via Zoom, making the programs accessible regardless of geographic location. The company also accepts Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flex Savings Account (FSA) cards, providing flexibility in payment options for families.