Autism Therapy Center

Welcome to one of the leading centers for children and adolescents with ASD and neurodevelopmental disorders in the Czech Republic

-We work with the O.T.A. method, which has been developed and tested here.

-We also use other available methods effective in ASD

-Parents are an integral part of the therapeutic process and learn to work effectively with their child in the Center therapy of autism

Who are we?

The Center therapy of autism deals with therapy that positively affects the child's condition and the functioning of his family. There will find a complex of child-centered services from 9 months to adulthood, up to 19 years of age. Experienced university-educated professionals lead therapy from special pedagogues and psychologists, psychotherapists, and video trainers. New colleagues are teaching here; we supervise many workplaces in 10 regions of the Czech Republic. We work with clinical speech therapists, child psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and pediatric practitioners, with early care counselors.

Open Therapy of Autism (O.T.A.)

A comprehensive therapeutic approach developed for children with pervasive developmental disorder, neurodevelopmental, and behavioral disorders, based on the latest neuroscience findings and applying modern theories for these disorders crucial.

The method is based on analysis and microanalysis of behavior and based on the principles of contact and successful communication as defined by the evidence-based method of Video Training of Positive Interactions of VTI (VIG Abroad). He prefers to establish a therapist - child, parent-child relationship, which he uses as a framework for behavioral work using visualization and feedback.

The method is focused on the behavior of the child as defined by the ABA-based evidence-based method but is based primarily on supporting attachment behavior - the basis for setting the primary intersubjectivity that awakens internal motivation (Trevarthen).

The method includes support and guidance of the child's family and the possibility of generalization of new skills into the home environment.

The method emphasizes the specific techniques of work according to the level and age of the child, and the therapeutic plan and works with the family based on an individual approach. We use O.T.A., but we also combine it with VTI. From the age of 30 months, we often use the TEACCH program and most of the 28 evidence-based ABA techniques.

Individual development of the necessary skills and inclusion in group work and cooperation training is significant.

The method was developed during a direct work of clinical and later school speech therapist, in a direct work in families using the VTI method (R.Straussová). Since 2012, this method developed as unique in the Center therapy of autism, where it is also verified, other centers trained, and many organizations in the Czech Republic supervised, since 2018 also organizations in Slovakia.

The effectiveness of the therapy verified in several studies, among others in the pilot project of VZP ČR on a group of ten children of the control and ten children of the intervention group, which worked for six months in the intensive treatment of O.T.A. (4h weekly) while working with their family.

A longitudinal study of the effectiveness of the early intervention O.T.A. conducted at the Faculty of Education, Charles University Prague in 2011 - 2016 on a group of 16 children. Another large-scale randomized study to verify O.T.A. in the Czech Republic.

In the therapy O.T.A. are trained healthcare professionals: clinical speech therapists, general practitioners through an accredited e-learning course, occasionally child psychiatrists. Furthermore, in early accredited courses of Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs counselors provide early care counselors. The training of teachers in this method are also accrediting under the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. At the Medical Faculty of the University of Ostrava, is teach method O.T.A.

Why pay attention to the first signals of different development?

The first signs of failure do not usually come at once and massively, but creeping and inconspicuous. The first changes in development are beginning to emerge as opposed to peers; the child forgets some of the skills; Well-intentioned advice of friends: "wait, it will come back!" it looks logical. After all, if a child knew how to do it, why not return? It is very advisable not to overlook these first signals, but to take them seriously. Because whoever is waiting can be unpleasantly surprised in six, ten months - the disorder becomes more and more apparent. Anyone who, on the contrary, does not take signs lightly, is very pleasantly surprised, his child catches up with his little ones in a year or two, and his development is typical and consistent with the healthy.

Toddler Therapy

A child with developmental disabilities requires professional guidance and care from a developmental psychologist. O.T.A. uses the latest knowledge of neuroscience and developmental psychology, is based not only on the theory of mind but also on the theory of mirror neurons, which was defined as a theory essential for autism by prof. Baron-Cohen of the University of Cambridge. O.T.A's Intersubjectivity Theory is crucial to opening up a healthy toddler development. An integral part of this work is the optimization of attachment behavior. Working with the theory of mind and some behavioral approaches to setting limits are essential for working with toddlers.

Child Therapy

We provide therapy from 3 to 19 years. We use O.T.A. attitude-driven approaches and VTI principles successful social communication based on microanalysis of child behavior, We seek and strengthen functional behavior patterns and involve a combination of behavioral techniques based on ABA, we also use visualization and TEACCH program. The bond between the therapist-child is essential for the work of O.T.A. It helps to activate the child's initiative on the principles of intersubjectivity. The work on communication development is basing on many years of speech therapy with children with autism, developmental dysphasia, and deaf people.

Parents, siblings

An integral part of success in working with a child with disabilities is the climate of the family system and its ability to resilience and the ability to participate in the application of new patterns of behavior and generalization of acquired child skills. Also, the possibility of cooperation in implementation to the other institutions. A sibling of a child with a disability is playing a significant role, who can represent a considerable advantage or, on the contrary, a significant threat to positive changes. It depends on the parents whether they can work on group engagement skills and support not only a child with disabilities but also his siblings for whom we offer C) T) A) the possibility of group therapies from 8 years of age.

info@cta.cz - for ordering and communication about therapies
faktrurace@cta.cz - for communication about payments for services
centrum@cta.cz - other questions, ordering books, etc.
kurzy@cta.cz - ordering and questions for courses and seminars

Davídek's story

Since birth, my son David practically cried all the time. He only slept 6 hours a day in my arms. We discussed the situation with the doctors. Doctors claimed that everything was caused by abdominal pain. At fourteen months of his age, he was able to sleep for two hours in one block, we hoped he would get better. Davídek was not a happy baby who would have smiled at us, he did not show anything special, except crying. His sister suffered greatly, no one had the time for her. At that time I slept 5 hours a day at maximum. At fifteen months of his age, he began to walk, he watched English series for toddlers on the TV. He had fun alone. He counted, scattered and arranged things. But at seventeen months of his age, things got worse rapidly. He hated children's rhymes and games, he didn't use toys. His favourite things were two plastic rings. But I was wondering, why?! I was happy because he did not cry. Then we noticed that he was not looking at us at all. He still did not smile much, did not repeat, did not pointed. Than the summer came, Davídek ran around in the garden, ignored us and almost didn't sleep again. I knew - there was something wrong with David. He had his own world, completely different from ours. Then came the time of his eighteen-months check-up and the M-CHAT-R questionnaire. Thanks God.

David was unmanageable and angry then. He stood for hours on the bridge over the expressway, looking down at cars, trucks, buses ... He said nothing, did not point to cars, did not wave. For days, months, every day... And I was there with him, desperate. And suddenly I realized that the summer holidays had been gone and we were still standing on the same bridge and I was completely broken. I still remember that feeling. I didn't want to believe it. High probability of autism spectrum disorder - what? But David's experienced pediatrician did not want to wait and forced me to act NOW. I didn't want to go anywhere for therapy, I didn't want to believe it!
I wanted an check-up by a pedopsychiatrist first. I wanted to hear that he had no problem, that he was just less advanced in mental, physical or social development than is usual for his age.
I have held our pediatrician with respect for many years. I did what he suggested. I called the CTA. Davídek was 19 months old when we first came to CTA. I didn't know what to think about the therapy. Therapy based on parent-child interaction? Behaviour to a child who does not perceive his parent? What? But our son showed us that it could work after the FIRST therapy. However, we still haven't had the worst behind us. David's fall lasted next seven long months. Special testing confirmed ASD symptoms. I accompanied Davídek to the testing, I saw what my son was able and was not able to do. I had NO DOUBT. When I did not spent hours on the bridge, I stood by the water barrel where my little boy was throwing small stones. When I wanted him to go home, he had tantrum. In spring 2020, Davídek improved, he started to react and respond when he heard his name, smiled, pointed by finger at his favourite fruit. My hope was here! Finally! Our journey has not been easy, it is a story of immense suffering, crying, fear and hope.

Controlled stimulation of the parents can change the development of the child's brain, I heard it during the first therapy. In fact, I was able to imagine it in real life for the first time when
I attended a seminar, where the other three mothers presented the success of their children thanks to OTA therapy. I was crying all the time. I finally understood. David is a toddler with ASD. But his brain can be affected! The first seven months of the therapy were not easy. But immediately after the first visit to the CTA, I had hope again. I'm happy we started our therapy in time. If we started therapy now, when David is three years old, he would lose the most important time (first 18 months).

Since August 2020 my son has been attending a private kindergarten three times a week for two hours. The difference between him and the other children is still visible indeed. The two hours, he spends in kindergarten, reflects his needs. He is turning three next month. David smiles every day, understands what I say, is interested in playing and communicating with children, knows rhymes, can read emotions and talks! Of course we haven't won yet. However, I believe we will succeed!

I am grateful to our pediatrician, who forced me to start solving the situation immediately, as well as Dr. Straussová and her CTA team for a MIRACLE.

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Lukášek's story

Lukášek was the child we prayed for and he was born on the Christmas Eve. Until his 18th month, he looked like a healthy baby, but then we started to observe some differences - his speech did not develop, stereotypes emerged, as well as the problems with eating, he pointed only on lights and birds, outdoors he didn't answer when we called his name... The result of the M-CHAT-R screening, we completed within the 18 month examination by our pediatrician, was the missing shared attention. Lukášek didn't develop well. And before his 2nd birthday he experienced the regression. Lukášek forgot what he had learned before, he couldn't complete puzzles or even be calm, he was worried to go out, scattered his toys, stacked objects, ran here and there.

Immediately I thought on autism and I had a mental breakdown. I read books, watched videos and looked for help. When Lukášek was 26 months old, he underwent an assessment with the result of child autism. Our pedopsychiatrist referred us to the CTA in Prague. Within month we started the therapy led by O.T.A. therapist.

CTA led us through the two-years therapy and we could fully rely on them. We discussed with them all challenges we were facing during these hard times. After every visit to CTA, we were full of hope and optimism. We looked forward to every therapy session and left with the strong determination to fight the autism. Without the guidance from CTA as well as their support, we wouldn't be able to succeed and to reach the destination on the most challenging way of our lives!

Today, Lukášek is 5 years old, he visits the normal nursery without the help of his assistant, he talks, plays with other children, knows his emotions and he loves us. He overcame the clinical symptoms of autism. Now our problems consist only of residual phenomena and some slightly delayed development. We believe, if the CTA helped to us, they can help other families and their children too.

Markétka's story

Marketka was born in August 2014. She was a beautiful, healthy baby. She knew words like mama, dada, nana, she knew animal noises and her motor skills were normal too. Around her first birthday everything suddenly changed - Marketa stopped showing any interest in the world around her. She didn't care for toys or animals, she wouldn't respond to her name. She was extremely sensitive to certain noises. It was impossible to go to the shop with her - Marketa would run furious around the place, knocking things off the shelves. At the age of 18 months there was a visible regression in her development. She wouldn't respond to her name or any sounds really, wouldn't look at people, not even me. She had stopped pointing at things, didn't know how to play with regular toys, wouldn't name objects... Every morning she would wake up and immediately start screaming - she dragged me out of bed, wanted me to go sit with her on the steps, where she would spin a red wooden circle. If I didn't do immediately what she wanted, she would lie down on the floor and throw a terrible tantrum.

When Dr Straussova first came to see us, Marketa was one and a half years old. Based on the M-CHAT/R, we learned that Marketa was high risk for autism spectrum disorder (she scored 14/20). But I wasn't ready to give up. On 1st March 2016 we started the open therapy. There were a lot of tasks and activities that we were supposed to complete as frequently as possible. Not even after the third visit I was convinced that the OTA method was working.

Slowly but surely, I was beginning to see some small changes. Marketa was learning how to play with toys, her tantrums seemed to be weaker and shorter. It was in January I really felt like there was a significant breakthrough. Marketa started to point at things to show us something or simply to communicate with us. She stopped ignoring her little brother and actually tried to play with him. She began to call herself Maka and found interest in looking at her own reflection in the mirror. She would actually listen to a story or even try to finish the ones she already knew. Then we enrolled Marketa in a private preschool - at first for 1 to
2 hours a day. Marketa started using more and more words, and by the age of 3, she was potty trained and could feed herself without any help. In the autumn, we managed to do our first shopping together without a tantrum. Around the same time, Marketa also started fully imitating actions - she was helping us cook, sweep the floor, etc. In October, we did a learning profile assessment for Marketa and the results made us very happy - at 38 months, Marketa's performance was consistent with the typical skills of a three year old - except for a number of points, namely non-verbal expression and graphomotor skills.

We continued to follow the open therapy techniques with Marketa, although it was no longer necessary to do it with such frequency and intensity as in the beginning. Our little girl kept progressing by leaps and bounds and as a result in July 2018 we could finally go on our first real family holiday to Italy - no tears, no tantrums! At the age of 4, Marketa started going to
a state preschool - there was no need for a teacher's aide for her, or any other special needs measures. She made new hobbies, and friends! As for myself, I could go back to work and finally, after years, have a coffee with friends, take the kids on a nice trip, take them cycling, skating, go to the cinema. All that without fear of crying or tantrums.

I am forever thankful for Dr Straussova and her OTA method, as well as for my family and their amazing perseverance. Thank you!