TRAINING OPTIONS FOR PARENTS IN QST MASSAGE FOR AUTISM
If there is no QST-certified trainer near you, the best option is to take our online course for parents, which offers 6 distance supervisions ($500 US). Parents learn a lot about the massage, about autism, and have the best chance of optimizing the massage for their child and working through the initial difficulties.
The least expensive option is to get our parent training package for children (book, journal and DVD - $45 US).
In general, research shows that the more training and support the parent receives from a QST-trained professional, the better the results for the child. Here are the options in order of decreasing cost and effectiveness:
1. In-person training + 20 sessions of ongoing supervision with a QST-certified therapist or trainer. This is the level of parent training and support that resulted in the large decrease in autism severity in our research studies. Cost/session varies. Click the link to find a QST therapist or trainer in your area.
2. Online Course for Parents with Skype supervision. This option wasdesigned to optimize results for the child, in areas where in-person training is not available.The course is taught by a QST master trainer and provides weekly training and one-on-one coaching via Skype. See QST Course for Parents for more information. Cost $500 for QST Parent course +$45 for books/DVD. Available in website store.
The online course was also designed for parents of children who require modification of the QST autism protocol because of an additional neurological diagnosis (e.g. seizures). To see whether a QST Master Trainer is able to adapt the autism protocol to your child's special needs and train you in the necessary skills, contact linda@qsti.org.
3. Self-study program + video/Skype distance supervision. Learn the massage using our parent training materials, and obtain distance coaching and supervision from a QST master trainer via Skype. The master trainer will observe you giving your child the massage and help you adapt the massage for your child. Cost $45 + $60/session. Available in website store.
4. Self-study program. Learn the massage techniques by reading our parent training book and watching our online training videos. Use our parent workbook to help you keep track of your child’s daily progress, and prepare your child for massage with a social story. Purchase all three items in a package. Cost: $45. Available in website store.