ImPACT Therapy Program

Request an Appointment
For all requests:
1-877-686-0031
For all other requests:
1-888-573-5437

What Is ImPACT?

Improving Parents As Communication Teachers (ImPACT) is a therapy program for young children with autism and their caregivers. The ImPACT program teaches and coaches caregivers to support their child’s social engagement, communication, imitation, and play skills. ImPACT therapists use naturalistic, developmental, and behavioral techniques. Studies show these techniques work.  

ImPACT works best for children ages 1-6 who are not yet talking in sentences. The program welcomes all types of caregivers, such as mothers, fathers, grandparents, and foster parents.  

How Does the Program Work?

In a series of weekly sessions, caregivers will work with a therapist to set individualized therapy goals, learn and practice skills, and problem solve challenges.  

  • In most cases, caregivers first learn the strategies in a group that includes their therapist, other therapists and other caregivers. Children do not attend these sessions.  
  • Then, on opposite weeks, they meet individually with their therapist to practice the strategies and get feedback. Their child attends these meetings with them.  

Typically, the program takes about 3-4 months to complete. In some cases, caregivers may attend an accelerated program in the summer. This requires two appointments per week for approximately 2 months. At least one caregiver needs to regularly attend all the sessions. 

What Can Caregivers Expect?

ImPACT is not a parenting class.  

  • It does not focus directly on challenging behavior, such as hitting.
  • It does show caregivers how to interact in a different way with their child, since their child may be learning in a different way than some other children.  

Each participating family will need to purchase or borrow the ImPACT parent manual.  

How to Be Referred to ImPACT

Ask your child’s University of Iowa Health Care (UIHC) provider to refer your child to the ImPACT Therapy Program. They should use a Child Psychiatry psychotherapy order and specify ImPACT.  

The Autism Center providers, from three different departments, work together on ImPACT. Your child may or may not do ImPACT with someone from Child Psychiatry. Your child will be matched with an appropriate ImPACT therapist as availability permits.  

If you do not have a provider at UIHC, if you have more questions about the ImPACT Therapy Program, or to check on the status of a referral, please call 1-877-686-0031.

For More Information:

1-877-686-0031

Our Care Team

Jacqueline Klossing, PhD portrait

Jacqueline
Klossing
PhD

  • Behavioral Health
  • Center for Disabilities and Development
Jillian R. Reiher, PhD portrait

Jillian R.
Reiher
PhD

  • Behavioral Health
  • Center for Disabilities and Development
4.77 out of 5 (66 ratings)
Angela L. Smith, PsyD portrait

Angela L.
Smith
PsyD

  • Center for Disabilities and Development
  • Behavioral Health
4.48 out of 5 (132 ratings)
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Mark
Thomas
PhD

  • Center for Disabilities and Development
  • Behavioral Health
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Deborah C.
Lin-Dyken
MD

  • Center for Disabilities and Development
  • Behavioral Health
4.49 out of 5 (390 ratings)
Dianne McBrien, MD portrait

Dianne
McBrien
MD

  • Center for Disabilities and Development
  • Behavioral Health
4.51 out of 5 (303 ratings)
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Lane
Strathearn
MBBS, PhD, FRACP

  • Behavioral Health
  • Center for Disabilities and Development
4.33 out of 5 (65 ratings)
Allan Andersen, MD portrait

Allan
Andersen
MD

  • Behavioral Health
  • Center for Disabilities and Development
4.92 out of 5 (171 ratings)
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Priya
Larson
MD

  • Behavioral Health
  • Center for Disabilities and Development
4.61 out of 5 (134 ratings)
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Laura
Fisher
MA, CCC-SLP

  • Behavioral Health
  • Center for Disabilities and Development
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Pena
Lubrica
MA, CCC-SLP

  • Behavioral Health
  • Center for Disabilities and Development
AS

Anne L.
Schlabaugh
MA, CCC-SLP

  • Behavioral Health
  • Center for Disabilities and Development
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Morgan
Schuchard
MA, CCC-SLP

  • Behavioral Health
  • Center for Disabilities and Development
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Audrey
Wood
MA, CCC-SLP

  • Behavioral Health
  • Center for Disabilities and Development
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Vanessa
Kimm
ARNP

  • Behavioral Health
  • Center for Disabilities and Development
Rebecca McCann, ARNP portrait

Rebecca
McCann
ARNP

  • Child Health Specialty Clinics
4.63 out of 5 (66 ratings)
Danielle Wendel, ARNP, DNP, PMHS portrait

Danielle
Wendel
ARNP, DNP, PMHS

  • Child Health Specialty Clinics
  • Department of Pediatrics
  • General Pediatrics (Pediatricians)
4.79 out of 5 (162 ratings)
Carson Lauf, MS, OTR/L portrait

Carson
Lauf
MS, OTR/L

  • Center for Disabilities and Development
  • Department of Pediatrics
  • Behavioral Health
Tiffany Reaves, MA, OTR/L portrait

Tiffany
Reaves
MA, OTR/L

  • Behavioral Health
  • Center for Disabilities and Development
  • Department of Pediatrics
SH

Shelby
Hert
LMSW

  • Behavioral Health
  • Center for Disabilities and Development
Sally M. Rieck, LISW portrait

Sally M.
Rieck
LISW

  • Behavioral Health
  • Center for Disabilities and Development

Not sure which ImPACT Therapy Program provider is right for you?

When you call 1-888-573-5437 we'll help you find a provider who meets your needs.
Call 1-888-573-5437

Locations and Offices

Autism Center
1-877-686-0031
Clinic
Center for Disabilities and Development main entrance
In Center for Disabilities and Development
100 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242
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Educational Resources

Helpful resources before your child’s appointment
Frequently Asked Questions: Autism Center