The Mary Jo Robbins Clinic for Autism Research and Practice seeks to provide a high-quality learning environment to enhance language and social-emotional development.
At Baylor University's Mary Jo Robbins Clinic for Autism Research and Practice, we are committed to providing a high-quality learning environment that fosters language development and social engagement for Autistic and neurodivergent individuals of all ages. We recognize and support individuals with differences in social communication, pragmatic language, social cognition, and language processing. From early childhood onward, we are committed to identifying each person’s unique profile and providing strength-based support that fosters well-being, autonomy, and authentic communication.
Preschool Program
Our preschool and toddler programs offer supportive, classroom-like environments for Autistic and neurodivergent children ages 18 months to 6 years. Each child receives individualized support through evidence-based, strength-focused practices delivered by Baylor graduate student clinicians and overseen by clinical educators. In our classroom settings, learning is nurtured through play, peer interaction, child-led and clinician-guided interventions. Daily routines and naturalistic interventions create meaningful opportunities for children to build communication, social engagement, and early cognitive skills. Our programming also promotes early literacy skills, including a love for reading, phonological awareness, story comprehension, and storytelling.
Families are integral to each child’s progress. Our program includes family coaching and collaboration, led by Baylor graduate students under the supervision of clinical faculty, to help generalize and strengthen learning across home and school environments.
Social Language Lab
School-age and adult clients are supported in individual or group settings. Intervention focuses on enhancing communication, social interaction, and critical thinking through affirming and individualized approaches rooted in current best practices.
The Social Language Lab offers a welcoming, inclusive space for neurodivergent children, teens, and adults to connect, communicate, and build on social skills to form authentic relationships. Our program provides individualized and group support tailored to each participant’s unique social communication and language processing profile. Participants have opportunities to engage with peers to promote improved connection, executive functioning, communication skills, and well-being.
Appointments and Evaluation
Every individual who desires services from our facility must be evaluated first. Diagnostic evaluations are conducted on a weekly basis during the fall and spring semesters. The purpose of the evaluation is to:
- Identify areas of strength and support
- Assess communicative competence
- Determine prognosis
- Determine recommendations
Criteria for Admittance
Basic criteria for admittance will be determined by assessment and/or observation for all ages.
Preschool program-specific criteria:
- Age 18 months to 6 years
- Autistic children
- Diagnosis of social communication disorder, or
- Children with identified support needs in social communication (e.g., social interaction, social cognition, pragmatic language, and/or language processing)
Note: At the Mary Jo Robbins Clinic for Autism Research and Practice, we intentionally use identity-first language (i.e., Autistic person) rather than person-first language (i.e., person with autism) as it is currently preferred by many members of the Autistic community. We also acknowledge and respect that individual preferences vary, and we respect each client’s right to autonomously choose the language used.
To schedule an evaluation, please call Shannon Kolls, Clinic Manager, at 254-710-2568.
Contact
- Appointments: Shannon Kolls, Clinic Manager, 254-710-2568
- Questions: Kristle Soto, Mary Jo Robbins Clinic for Autism Research and Practice Coordinator, 254-710-1375 or Kristle_Soto@baylor.edu