At Help Group’s Young Learners program, meaningful progress often begins through connection, play, and collaboration. One powerful example is our ongoing partnership with the Center for Autism Research and Treatment (CART) at UCLA, whose clinicians work directly with students on campus each week through an innovative language and communication research project. 

Led by renowned researcher Dr. Connie Kasari, the project focuses on supporting preschool and early elementary-aged children with limited spoken language. Using the evidence-based JASPER approach (Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement, and Regulation), therapists engage students through play-based interactions designed to strengthen communication, social engagement, and expressive language skills. Some students also receive PROMPT, a tactile speech therapy approach that supports oral motor development and speech intelligibility. JASPER has been studied extensively in children with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders, with outcomes linked to improved social communication, play skills, and language development. 

 What makes this partnership especially meaningful is that services are provided within the students’ natural school environment, reducing barriers for families while allowing children to learn and grow where they feel most comfortable. During a recent observation, one Young Learners student, J.D., lit up as he interacted with a CART speech-language pathologist through playful routines carefully designed to encourage communication and connection. Moments like these reflect the profound impact of bringing research, clinical expertise, and compassionate education together in one space. For many of our students and families, access to this kind of specialized support, embedded directly into their school day, can open doors to communication, confidence, and deeper engagement with the world around them.