The new Center will have enhanced capacity for videoconferencing consultation with schools, clinics and families in this and in other countries. It will also continue to evaluate and treat children with autism on a regularly scheduled basis in the new Center. It's conference facilities also permit regular workshops for professionals and parents of special children.

The Los Angeles Miller Method Resource Center -- bearing the logo of the Boston Center -- will be open April 2003 and will provide the following services:

• Information on Ms. Sperber's personal experience with the method and its effect on her 8 year-old son.
  
  
• Monthly interaction with Dr. Miller in Boston via videoconferencing sessions.
  
  
• Materials about the Miller Methodâ-- including opportunities for parent and professional training.
  
  
• Family counseling to help parents cope with the ongoing stress of life with an autistic child.
  
  

This survey is designed around observations which parents and teachers are likely to make in their everyday interactions with the child. In a few cases you may not know the answer to a question from prior observation. In these cases, you may want to set up a "simple experiment" so you can observe your child's response to the situation set forth in a particular question. You can then answer the question based on your child's actual performance.

Once a parent transmits her or his responses to the questions,  a senior staff member at the Language and Cognitive Development Center will review them and share impressions about the child with the parent.

All workshops introduce theory and practice of the Miller Method and provide opportunity for "hands on" training. Professionals planning to continue toward certification as a Miller Method Specialist or Therapist are required to take the examination. Parents of special children who attend the workshop generally do not choose to take the examination.

When Angela first came to LCDC she was completely non-verbal and tantrummed and screamed with almost every change in the day's routine. Within four months this disorganized little girl made dramatic progress which was recorded in the video documentary "Where is Angela?" Here, in mother's own words recorded in the documentary, is what happened:

"She would scream a lot and tantrum...With even little demands she would throw herself on the ground, bang her head, slap her face and bite her wrist...But in the second week of the program she made her first sign...I remember we were in the swimming pool and she was in the hot tub and she looked at me, smiled...and for the first time in her life she signed come to me. I immediately ran to her.

From that time -- every day she would come up with a new sign she had learned in school: come, go, plate, give, cup, glass...About one month later she both signed and spoke her first words "come" "give" "plate" "juice" "drink." After three months and three weeks she could request in words -- using simple sentences -- "Give Angela Juice (or drink or apple)." Or she would say, " I want juice...I want play...I want toys."

Once Angela started to sign and speak that was the turning point in her life...Actually, that was the turning point in our life...Our whole life changed because she became much happier. She tolerated changes much better... And, for the very first time in her life she could wait for things she wanted...She now understands what we say to her and she focuses much better.

Since we left the program I haven't seen her slapping her face or biting her wrist...Also, her tantrums and screaming have subsided... I would like to thank Mrs. Miller and Dr. Miller for implementing this program for Angela... And I would like to thank the exceptional teachers and therapists who were very gentle and caring and yet made a profound change in her life...and in ours."

And now, on Monday, September 28, 1998, a year later, six year old Angela returns with her mother, a nurse, and her father, an engineer, to LCDC to attempt the next step in her development -- learning to read and write. If all goes well and LCDC's dedicated staff and their unique Symbol Accentuation Reading Program succeeds, Angela and her parents will return home to Mississauga in the province of Ontario, Canada, at the end of December with a wonderful Christmas present -- their daughter's ability to find meaning in written words.

Those wishing to learn more about the Language and Cognitive Development Center, 154 Wells Avenue, Newton, MA 02459, should call Dr. Arnold Miller at (617) 965-0045 or
1-800-218-5232.