“Boy, can Raun work a room! He has great humor, and great energy, excitement, and enthusiasm. He is so well informed, and concise and clear in his explanations. And yet this man is humble.”
– Beverli E., Autism Professional, California
Children: Collin, 5 years old; Sammy, 9 years old; Annie, 9 years old, Diagnosis: Autism
“Down to earth, humorous, intelligent, and heroic. An excellent public speaker. Someone who actually managed to hold my attention for the entire two and a half hours-very rare! The most interesting lecture I have ever attended-even after studying a BA in Behavioral Studies and Philosophy!”
– Georgina L., Child Facilitator, Australia
“Raun is so lovable. He is also a dynamic and really quite brilliant teacher in his ability to convey concepts in which he clearly truly delights. He also makes himself personally vulnerable by sharing aspects of himself and his experiences that he seems to imperfect and that makes him an even more effective teacher.”
– Susan L., Son-Rise Program Mom, Massachusests
Informative & Interesting
“Very articulate, funny, and very knowledgeable on the topic. He has a wealth of first hand information on how to reach children with autism. He was a great speaker as well. He kept it rolling and entertaining. It was good to be reminded that ‘stimming’ is a symptom-WOW, that changes everything. Also, I need to focus on interaction rather than changing behaviors.”
– Jennifer B., Special Educator, Maryland
“Razor sharp in his mind and wit; vast in his warmth and understanding toward and of others; keen in his enthusiasm and skills of tickling everyone to stretch into their highest potential.”
– Leeza S., Mentor, Germany
“Very dynamic, but incredibly real. I could relate to Raun because he used words and examples that I understood. He took principles and concepts that were foreign to me and made them simple to understand. He also uses his sharp sense of humor to help people over the more difficult parts of an emotion or concept. I got a lot out of his class and teaching style.”
– Rebecca B., Director of Regional Centers, Massachusetts
“Brilliant! It’s common sense! It doesn’t just apply to children on the spectrum – it applies to all children…and to life! He’s exactly the way he is asking people to be, and its catching!”
– Angela D., Health Care Assistant, United Kingdom
“Although it is focused on autism, many things apply to daily situations and interacting with ‘normal’ children too. Many points raised here can apply to other context; teaching pupils who are not autistic but have learning disabilities.”
– Naomi G., Teacher, Spain
Engaging
“Un-missable. The most engaging lecture I have ever attended from a man who clearly knows what he is talking about.”
– Lorraine W., Child Development Officer, Scotland
“What a dynamic, loving, fun teacher. There is such an eagerness about Raun’s teaching that kept me wondering what would come next.”
– Audrey W., Financial Consultant, Texas
“Raun is a dynamic teacher. He grabs my attention the moment he starts to talk. He is razor sharp with his insights and wit, and he can turn any comment or situation into an opportunity to learn. A very gifted teacher.”
– Wendy E., Pediatrician, Canada
“Raun’s ability to be present in any given moment, really, deeply present and loving, is profound. He has a brotherly gravity that puts me and the group at ease. He is dynamic and engaging, warm and strong all at once. His buoyant and lively energy fills the room and invites us to join.”
– Ingrid L., Son-Rise Program Volunteer, Washington
Inspiring
“Raun is a great communicator. He is so enthusiastic that you would imagine this is the first time he’s ever done this talk. He inspires you with confidence that you can make changes. I came last year and wanted to come again even though I remembered it really well.”
– Vicki R., Speech and Language Therapist, England
“Raun is able to bring his warmth, exuberance and enthusiasm over through his superb command of the English language, acting ability and deep understanding of what is happening in the present moment in the group and group discussions.
– Clio O., Teacher, Los Angeles
“It was so inspiring to see him and know his initial experience of autism was overcome. Very insightful, highly inspiring and offered lots of useful ideas. It offered a much more hopeful perspective on autism than other literature/research.”
– Aine C., Student, Glasgow, Scotland
“Raun was a pleasure to hear speak. His intelligence and articulation of ideas was beautifully clear. His messages were simple and filled with a sense of purpose. He brought a sense of loving energy into the room.”
– Brandi D., Child Facilitator, New York
“Raun’s young and strong style of teaching inspires you to reach out for the flexible and dynamic part of yourself.”
– Joachim S., Volunteer, Pennsylvania
“Raun to me is HOPE personified. He is all my dreams, wishes, and wants for my child in the flesh! I find myself looking in amazement at the stage as he speaks his humor, knowledge, love, and conviction and moves me to the point of tears. Raun is a truly amazing person.”
– Billy D., Railway Signaler, England
Praise for The Son-Rise Program®
The Son-Rise Program®has the added component of the attitude that you approach the child with and I never saw that attitude exhibited as a whole by ABA therapists, it’s not something that was ever trained. My client, William, was completely non-verbal. He would try as hard as he could to stay away from you. [One day] he was jumping on the trampoline when I got to his house and I just started jumping next to him and really joining him in it, and loving it, and he immediately started looking at me and he was a child who very rarely had looked at me when I worked with him in ABA. Then I told him ‘You can tell me jump’ and he said ‘Ju!’ I took a little break and when I came back he ran over to me and said ‘Jump!’ More even than the fact that he started speaking to me was the fact that he was looking at me with a smile and wanting to be with me. It just really showed me that attitude makes all the difference.”
– Meredith D., Former ABA Therapist, VA
“Our world fell apart…I’m a special educator, I’m a developmental therapist. My daughter Emma had no problem-solving skills, she couldn’t read any body language and she didn’t use gestures. She wasn’t actually playing with children, she was playing beside children. There were really big meltdowns that involved violence. She would get angry and she would cry and then she would start to push us, and then she would start to grab us, and then she would start to scratch us. It was 45 minutes, an hour…sometimes 3 hours. Now, we have a child who plays with her peers, is successful in the community and does all kinds of things. She’s starting to be really flexible. She is just an amazing little girl who can negotiate and is so confident and capable. We’ve been really, really, really blessed to have done a Son-Rise Program with Emma. We’re in the end stages of that, we expect that within about a year she’ll be done with The Son-Rise Program and she will lose her autism diagnosis.”
– Ellen S., Special Educator and Developmental Therapist; ME
Child: Emma, Age: now 10 yrs., Diagnosis: High-Functioning Autism
“I’m a pediatrician. I was in total denial there was anything wrong with my son. When diagnosed, Patrick was a delightful little 3 year old who never looked at me, or if he did it was very fleeting. He had no language whatsoever, lots of chatter, babble noises but never directed at a human being. He would run in circles, he would flap, he would look sideways. He made no connection with any of us and he was very happy in his own little world. My Son-Rise Program at our home for our son ran for a little over a year, that’s all it actually ran for in the playroom. He did amazingly well! He’s just grown 6 years older. He’s in grade four, he is fully integrated into his classes, never had a helper. And my son is an amazing human being.”
– Wendy E., Pediatrician; Canada
Child: Patrick, Age: now 13 yrs., Diagnosis: Autism
“Before the Autism Treatment Center of America®, I was frustrated beyond belief. Everyone would offer a speedy diagnosis along with a grim prognosis but NO HELP! No information on how to help my child and being told it was out of our hands. The Son-Rise Program® was like a road back home. I know my child better than any professional—The Son-Rise Program let me use my power to reach my son and be awed by him. He’s already doing things 6 months into the program that were deemed impossible.”
– Shelley B. Occupation: Mom State: Texas Child: Hank, 3 years old Diagnosis: PDD
“The Son-Rise Program® gives you hope, makes hope possible, gives you the concrete means and hows to realize your hopes and objectives, and gives you a lot of support from teachers and peers. In fact, it makes happiness possible in the face of all difficulties and hardships, and above all, makes you a better person. I suggest it not only to parents, but to professionals especially.”
– Franca L. Occupation: Physical Therapist Country: Italy
“As a professional, it has been a rare privilege to participate with parents of special children. This has been a rich experience getting to know extraordinary people who share all of themselves. The attitude of acceptance flows throughout the week, giving all who participate full access to themselves and others. I take all that I learned back and will put it into practice.”
– Karol L. Occupation: Early Childhood Educator State: Alaska Child: Sawyer, 19 months Diagnosis: Autistic Indicators/Delayed Communication Skills
“The Son-Rise Program®is a wonderful experience that asks you to be the best you can be. Having two autistic children is a powerful incentive for this and we aim to do the very best for the boys. Thank you to The Son-Rise Program Staff for showing us the way and giving us the tools.”
– Phil H. Country: United Kingdom Child: 4 years old Diagnosis: Autism
“The Son-Rise Program® was the only program we sought or needed to bring our boy back. Once we discovered it, we saw no reason to look elsewhere. Paul has always been happy, but now he is happy with us rather than just with himself. He is talkative, bright and interactive now where previously he seemed gifted but odd. My wife and I have grown as much as Paul through this journey and feel intensely grateful that we found it through The Son-Rise Program.”
– Andrew S. Occupation: Orthopedic Surgeon State: Tennessee Child: Paul, 5 years old Diagnosis: Autism
“I, for the first time, think that having a special child is a joy and not a tragedy, and that we can move mountains through love and acceptance. My son and I are on a wonderful journey together and I hope it never ends.”
– Kirstin H. Occupation: Homemaker Country: England Child: Innes John, 6 years old Diagnosis: Autism
“The Son-Rise Program® has helped me connect with my stepson in a way that I didn’t think was possible in only a few months time. Now, a year later, we are a family instead of me being an extra shadow in the room. By using the Son-Rise principles, he is growing and getting more and more social abilities every week. And by using the Son-Rise principles, I am myself growing towards being the best parent I can imagine for both my children.”
– Suzanne Lena Pipers, Singer, Netherlands Child’s Name: De / Age: 11 / Diagnosis: Autism Spectrum Disorder
“If The Son-Rise Program® has come to you or if you have found the program – that is because it is meant for you. Don’t hesitate – what you have found is a perfect place with people who are in love with helping you and helping your child. The staff and the parents who come to the Autism Treatment Center of America® take an incredible journey together that is safe, non-judgmental and have support for when you go home so that you get as much support as you need.”
– Gertruth Handelman, Retired, Canada Child’s Name: Ethan / Age: 5 / Diagnosis: PDD & NOS
“The Son-Rise Program® is not just a therapy, it is also a lifestyle. This teaches you that your life, your child is not a disaster. It shows you how to embrace and love more freely. This loving, accepting attitude breaks down the walls of autism. It helps your child grow to love interaction with people, rather than just cold learning.”
– Gordon Smith, Printer, Australia Child’s Name: Neri Age: 10 Diagnosis: Autism
“After offering our son to the normal school programs and processes, with little or no improvements, we dove into The Son-Rise Program®. Within months, our son was improving in all areas; speech, social skills, flexibility, smile and loving his family. The Son-Rise Program is the answer to inviting a child who is autistic into our world. It works. The program empowers, strengthens, and gives more hope and positive results and support through other parents and staff than any program on the planet. Son-Rise is the answer and gift for parents and child.”
– Chris McDonald, Occupational Safety, Arkansas Child’s Name: Conner Age: 6 Diagnosis: Autism
“The Son-Rise Program® has allowed me to look into myself and uncover the true me. I know that when I find my own voice that my son will find his. The Son-Rise Program is teaching me how to find my own voice!”
– Heather Aschmann, Son-Rise Mom, New Jersey Child’s Name: Adrian Age: 6 Diagnosis: PDD
“Imagine life without any hope, with nothing to look forward to but silence and loneliness. That was what our beautiful daughter had before we heard of The Son-Rise Program®. Now she has love, happiness and expectations, which were unimaginable to us. Thank you all.”
– Jeff B. Country: United Kingdom Child: 6 years old Diagnosis: Autism
“The Son-Rise Program® gives the parents of an autistic child the attitude and the skills to help them realize their child’s true potential. If you feel you can reach the stars, you can achieve miracles!”
– Nick A. Country: Scotland Child: 4 years old Diagnosis: Autism