Terms & Conditions

YOUR USE OF THIS WEBSITE CONSTITUTES YOUR AGREEMENT TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE.

This Website, including all of its features and content (the “Website”) is a service made available by the Option Institute® and all content, information, and services provided on or through this Website option.org (“Content”) may be used solely under the following terms and conditions (“Terms of Use”). Option Institute reserves the right to change these terms and conditions at any time, without notice to you, and you must consult the most recent version of this User Agreement (not an older cached version) each time you view the Website. Use of this Website constitutes your acceptance of all of the following terms and conditions, in their current form or as modified.

Group Program Cancellation Policy

Online Group Programs (except Mentor Certification)

All monies will be refunded in full (less a $200 processing fee) should you cancel 30 or more days before your program’s start date. If you cancel between 11 and 29 days before the start of your program a non-refundable credit voucher (less a $100 processing fee) will be issued which can be used towards any other group program within one year from the date of issue. If you cancel between 1-10 days before the start of your program a non-refundable credit voucher (less a $200 processing fee) will be issued which can be used towards any other group program within one year from the date of issue.

No credit or refund is available if you arrive late, leave early for any reason, or if you do not show up.

The Option Institute reserves the right to cancel any program with a 14-day notice in which case you will be given a full refund of tuition paid.

Mentor Certification

All monies will be refunded in full (less a $500 processing fee) should you cancel 60 or more days before your program’s start date. If you cancel anywhere between 45 and 59 days before the start of you program, a non-refundable credit voucher (less a $5,000 processing fee) will be issued which can be used toward any other group program within one years from the date of issue or you can receive a refund less a $5,000 processing fee.

No credit or refund is available if you arrive late, leave early for any reason, or if you do not show up.

The Option Institute reserves the right to cancel any program with a 14-day notice in which case you will be given a full refund of tuition paid.

Group Program Transfer Policy

On-Campus and Off-Campus Group Programs (except Mentor Certification)

A $100 processing fee will be charged for all transfers to a different group program, 11 or more days before the start of your program. If you transfer between 1-10 days before the start of your program a $200 processing fee will be charged.

Mentor Certification

A processing fee of $500 will be charged for transfers from Mentor Certification to another group program can be made with a minimum of 45 days prior to the start of the Certification program.

Dialogues Policies:

Our Rescheduling Policy for Consultations and Dialogues

We strongly encourage you to keep your appointment as this time slot is valuable. If it is necessary that you feel you need to reschedule, please call our office at 1-413- 229-2100 during our normal office hours, Monday thru Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm (Eastern Standard Time), and speak with the Sessions Coordinator or email us at wlarocque@option.org at least 48 hours before your appointment to ensure we can accommodate the change. Please note there will be a $25.00 processing fee for all rescheduled consultations or dialogues.

If you decide to reschedule your appointment, and do not attend the appointment, and are inside of 48-hours, the appointment will be considered missed, and you will be responsible to pay for the missed appointment. Exceptions may be considered in the case of a significant, unforeseen emergency. We do ask for a 24-hour notice on any requests for exceptions to this policy.

Our Cancellation Policy for Consultations and Dialogues

We require a 72-hour notice in order to cancel a previously booked appointment.

Any appointment cancelled inside of 72 hours will require a $50.00 cancellation fee. Any appointment cancelled in less than 24 hours is nonrefundable for the cost of the particular service.

Please note: Funds for sessions not completed in a package will be refunded minus an applicable cancellation fee, and any services already completed will be charged at standard, full pricing.

Expiration of Consultations and Dialogues

Both Consultations and Dialogues have a 3-month usage period; therefore, all sessions must be utilized within 3 months of their purchase date. Although they have 3 months, packages purchased will have 3 months (X) times the number of session’s purchases, Ex: you purchased a 5 pack of sessions you will have 15 months to complete all 5 of the sessions. Sessions not completed by the end of the usage period will be expired.

Registered User Conduct:

You understand that all information, data, text, photographs, graphics, messages, or other materials (“Content”) publicly posted is the sole responsibility of the person from which such content originated. This means that you, and not Option Institute, bear all risks and liabilities for all Content that you upload post, email, transmit or otherwise make available via the service. You agree not to use the service to:
  • upload, post, email, transmit or otherwise make available any Content that infringes any patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright or other proprietary rights (“Rights”) of any party;
  • upload, post, email, transmit or otherwise make available any unsolicited or unauthorized advertising, promotional materials, “junk mail,” “spam,” “chain letters,” “pyramid schemes,” or any other form of solicitation. (Posting the same note more than once can be considered “spam” or “spamming”);
  • upload, post, email, transmit or otherwise make available any material that contains software viruses or any other computer code, files, or programs designed to interrupt, destroy or limit the functionality of any computer software or hardware or telecommunications equipment;
  • upload, post, email, transmit or otherwise make available any Content that is unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, tortuous, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, libelous, invasive of another’s privacy, hateful, or racially, ethnically, or otherwise objectionable;
  • impersonate any person or entity, including, but not limited to, an Option Institute official, forum leader, guide or host, or falsely state or otherwise misrepresent your affiliation with a person or entity;
  • forge headers or otherwise manipulate identifiers in order to disguise the origin of any Content transmitted through the Service;
  • intentionally or unintentionally violate any applicable local, state, national, or international law;
  • “stalk” or otherwise harass another; or
  • harvest or otherwise collect or store personal data about other users.

You acknowledge that Option Institute and its designees shall have the right (but not the obligation) in their sole discretion to refuse, move, edit, or delete any Content that is available via the Service. Option Institute and its designees shall have the right to remove any Content regardless of whether such communication(s) violate the User Agreement. You agree that you must evaluate, and bear all risks associated with, the use of any Content, including any reliance on the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of such Content. You acknowledge and agree that Option Institute may preserve Content and may also disclose Content if required to do so by law or in the good faith belief that such preservation or disclosure is reasonably necessary to: (a) comply with legal process; (b) enforce the User Agreement; (c) respond to claims that any Content violates the rights of third parties; or (d) protect the rights, property, or personal safety of Option Institute, its users and the public.

Modifications to the Service

Option Institute reserves the right at any time to modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, the Service (or any part thereof) with or without notice. You agree that Option Institute shall not be liable to you or to any third-party for any modification, suspension, or discontinuance of the Service. You agree that Option Institute, in its sole discretion, may remove and discard any content within the Service, for any reason, including if neither Option Institute nor autismtreatmentcenter.org believes that you have violated or acted inconsistently with the letter or spirit of this user agreement. You agree that any termination of your access may be effected without prior notice, and acknowledge and agree that Option Institute or autismtreatmentcenter.org may immediately deactivate or delete all related information under your name and/or bar further access to the service. Further, you agree that Option Institute shall not be liable to you or any third-party for any termination of your access to the Service.

Medical Disclaimer

You acknowledge that the information on the Website is provided “as is” for general information only. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultations with qualified health professionals who are familiar with your individual medical needs. You should always speak with a healthcare professional before taking any dietary, nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement. Option Institute does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this site regarding recommendations concerning supplements for any health purposes. This information is provided solely as a guideline to be used when discussing a program with a healthcare professional. The claims about specific enzyme products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. Please consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program. Option Institute make no guarantee or warranty express or implied, with respect to any products or services sold, including any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular product.

International Shipping Disclaimer

Please note for international orders the shipping costs do not include any fees incurred by customs. We do not set the customs fees, these fees are the responsibility of the purchaser.

Disclaimer of Warranty

The Option Institute’s intention is to always present accurate, complete, and updated information. Given the complexity of web site construction, management, and maintenance, Option Institute make no warranties of any kind regarding this Website, including but not limited to any warranty of accuracy, completeness, currency, reliability, merchantability, or fitness for a particular purpose, or any warranty that these pages, or the server that makes them available, are free of viruses or other harmful elements, and such warranties are expressly disclaimed.

Limitation of Liability

You agree that you will hold harmless Option Institute and its officers, directors, employees, and volunteers from all claims arising out of or related to your access or use of, or your inability to access or use, this Website or the information contained in this Website or other websites to which it is linked. This includes, but is not limited to, information or materials viewed or downloaded from this Website or another website to which it is linked that appear to you or are construed by you to be obscene, offensive, defamatory, or that infringe upon your intellectual property rights. In no event will Option Institute or the contributors of information to this Website be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken by you in reliance on such information or for any consequential, special or similar damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

Limitations on Use

The Content on this Website is for your personal use only and not for commercial exploitation. You may not decompile, reverse engineer, disassemble, rent, lease, loan, sell, sublicense, or create derivative works from this Website or the Content. You may not use any network monitoring or discovery software to determine the site architecture, or extract information about usage, individual identities or users. You may not use any robot, spider, other automatic software or device, or manual process to monitor or copy our Website or the Content without Option Institute’s prior written permission. You may not copy, modify, reproduce, republish, distribute, display, or transmit for commercial, non-profit or public purposes all or any portion of this Website, except to the extent permitted above. You may not use or otherwise export or re-export this Website or any portion thereof, or the Content, in violation of the export control laws and regulations of the United States of America. Any unauthorized use of this Website or its Content is prohibited.

Linking to this Website

You may not provide links to this Website without expressed written permission.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Option Institute, its officers, directors, employees, agents, licensors, suppliers, and any third party information providers to the Website from and against all claims, losses, expenses, damages, and costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, resulting from any violation of these Terms of Use by you.

Unlawful Activity

Option Institute reserve the right to investigate complaints or reported violations of our Terms of Use and to take any action we deem appropriate, including, but not limited to, reporting any suspected unlawful activity to law enforcement officials, regulators, or other third parties and disclosing any information necessary or appropriate to such persons or entities relating to user profiles, email addresses, usage history, posted materials, IP addresses and traffic information.

Remedies for Violations

Option Institute reserve the right to seek all remedies available at law and in equity for violations of these Terms of Use, including but not limited to the right to block access from a particular Internet address to this Website and any other USP Websites and their features.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

The Terms of Use are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Massachusetts. Any action arising out of or relating to these terms shall be filed only in state or federal courts located in Massachusetts and you hereby consent and submit to the personal jurisdiction of such courts for the purpose of litigating any such action.

Privacy

Your use of this Website is subject to the Option Institute’s Privacy Policy.

Severability of Provisions

These Terms of Use incorporate by reference any notices contained on this Website and Option Institute’s Privacy Policy and constitutes the entire agreement with respect to access to and use of this Website and the Content. If any provision of these Terms of Use is unlawful, void or unenforceable, then that provision shall be deemed severable from the remaining provisions and shall not affect their validity and enforceability.

Modifications to Terms of Use

Option Institute reserve the right to change these Terms of Use at any time. Updated versions of the Terms of Use will appear on this Website and are effective immediately. You are responsible for regularly reviewing the Terms of Use. Continued use of this Website after any such changes constitutes your consent to such changes.

Contact Us

Call Me

Or send us a message or question and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

x

 

The Option Institute and its teachers have had the honor to present programs (during the last four decades) that explore the attitudes and beliefs we have (and may want to change) and to help program participants find their own answers to questions about relationships, careers, family challenges and health issues. Our new program, 5 Days to Live, Defying a Terminal Cancer Prognosis , focuses on navigating significant health challenges and decision-making with greater ease, clarity, and clear purpose.

We are not a medical facility and we do not dispense any medical advice. We have and would always guide our program participants, to consult with their doctors, healthcare providers, and family members in making medical decisions for themselves and those they love. Neither Mass General Hospital nor any member of its medical staff endorses any program being offered by the Option Institute and its teachers.

NOTE: Attendance of live sessions via Zoom are required to complete this course.

Please note, this is a per-person registration

CONTINUE

 

PRE-REQUISITES for attending Advanced Power Dialogues are:

  • Completion of The Option Institute’s PowerDialogues program.
  • If it’s been more than 5 years since you attended PowerDialogues, please call 413-229-2100 to discuss options.

NOTE: Attendance of live sessions via Zoom are required to complete this course.

Please note, this is a per-person registration

CONTINUE

Dear Donor,

Jeannie Reid was searching for answers to the challenges she and her family were facing. Jeannie and her husband Stuart’s son, Carson, had been diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder, a condition on the Autism spectrum. For Carson that meant being completely involved in obsessive behaviors and only using minimal words to identify objects, as well as frequently and completely melting down.

Soon after, Jeannie found the book, “Son-Rise: The Miracle Continues” and when she read it, she KNEW she had found what she was looking for. She began using some of the Son-Rise techniques described in the book on her own until she was able to come to The Autism Treatment Center of America for the Son-Rise Program Start-Up. As she put into practice what she learned there, Carson’s world was opening up. Today Carson is attending a Montessori school as a 'typical' student and functioning at or above typical grade level, being fully verbal and conversational, and very interested in learning about the world and interacting as much as possible with other people. He is even taking swim lessons at the local YMCA and doing great!

“It has been wonderful to get, and stay connected with other people and Son-Rise parents from all over the world. My son’s progress had already come very far, but now I truly believe we can go all the way!”

Jeannie wrote.

Stuart Reid then attended the Empower Yourself course and brought home a new sense of clarity, balance and personal power. He shared his new empowerment with Jeannie and she in turn gained in confidence, strength and enthusiasm. Their own relationship began to flourish anew, as well. Life-altering changes were happening for Jeannie and her family.

Jeannie journeyed again to Sheffield, this time for the Fearless course at The Option Institute to help her recognize and overcome her personal obstacles. Jeannie wanted to continue her amazing journey as she had found using the techniques she learned in The Son-Rise Program and in Fearless had absolutely changed the lives of everyone in her family.

But, because the Reids’ finances had been seriously stretched by then, their next steps were put on hold. Then an amazing event changed everything. Jeannie’s college roommate and lifelong friend decided to start a Son-Rise Program scholarship fund for people from the Cleveland area. Since then Jeannie has been able to move ahead with her courses, taking Radical Authenticity, Son-Rise Maximum Impact and Son-Rise Wide Awake ... and eventually she became a Certified Group Facilitator.

Jeannie Reid’s story is about wanting BIG and making it happen. She is about to embark on her renewed private practice as an art therapist, and plans to be a super advocate for The Son-Rise Program in her area. Her wonderful new life is a product of her persistence and belief, and of the wheels she helped set in motion for others when her friends learned of how she and her family had been impacted by The Son-Rise Program.

“I know I will be able to give back by helping others, and that will be the top of my personal mountain! Thank you to everyone who donates! You are making a big difference in the world!

Jeannie Reid

 

Dear Donor

Two years ago, Antonio's kindergarten teacher told us something was not quite right with our little boy. He was not socializing, he somersaulted all the time and hardly spoke at all. At the time I was working for a municipality close to Florence, Italy and basically I had nothing left after seeing to basic necessities.

In the meantime, I looked up Autism with Google and as I was also looking for happiness and personal growth, I was guided to The Option Institute, thence the Autism Treatment Center of America. I read up as much as I could and started trying to apply the “Happiness is a Choice” suggestions. I'm not quite good at it but it has helped me with attitude, and everything else that seemed trying is really different after all this.

When I decided to come for The Son-Rise Program Start-Up, I really had little or no money to pay for it. I spoke to my friends, old and new. My mother helped me, friends I thought couldn't [help] tried their very best and the scholarship did the rest.

What the scholarship did was give a HUGE boost to my fundraising. About six friends contributed the rest, at the travel agency a very kind lady who I may now call a friend helped me some more. I am overwhelmed with gratefulness. Here I am, happy to have attended the Start-Up program and looking forward to learning more and praying to God for guidance.

So the gist of the matter is, I am a happy mum who hopes to implement a wonderful relationship with her child and is riding a not so easy moment with lots of hope in her heart and THANK YOU is not enough for what I feel. I still remember William's words, “If you do what you've always done, you will get what you've always got.” Now I'm trying to do different, bit by bit, day by day. I feel the difference already.

About Antonio ... we are going on with the Italian program and I play with Antonio after school in a quiet room in the house. Knowing what the little guy is exposed to (he's always putting his fingers in his ears and he seems to have problems with too much light in his eyes), I find him very brave as he bears it tolerably. Drums a lot to digest it all.

When we went to the doctor, just weeks after starting the program at home, she told me that she found him more attentive. His attention span has increased. He is also tagging or pulling at one's arm when looking for attention. The child psychologist last Saturday reported the same thing and what's more, my son has always required that I enter the room, hence assisting in every session. Well, this time he went in along with the doctor and told me, “See you later.”

At school, his teacher who speaks English as well, read up and watched my DVD (Kyle’s Journey, Jade and “I want my little boy back”). Now she's changing, bit by bit and I do appreciate that very much. He seems to be OK with her and actually sent me away from class this morning, again telling me, “See you later.”

He is now ONE HUGE GREENLIGHT and I'm hoping to be able to really have volunteers (still looking), raise funds and settle down to business.

God bless,

Jackline

 

Dear Donor,

I am the mother of three children, all on the Autism Spectrum. Before I heard of the Son-Rise Program and the Option Institute, I was a desperate, angry and depressed person…. I was on Anti-depressants, sleeping multiple hours of the day, and for a period of time, using alcohol to run away from my pain.

Then I heard of the Son-Rise Program. I called to find out more about it and thought “this if for me!” But I could not afford it. You see raising one child with Autism is very expensive but raising three is just outrageously expensive with all the therapies and dietary interventions that we were doing.

But I was offered a full scholarship to the SRSU program. I have since attended all of the Son-Rise Programs and many of the Personal Growth programs offered by the Option Institute.  Each time I have been given a scholarship and each time I go I learn more about who I am and I change for the better each and every time.  Because of your most generous support, my children are recovering from Autism, I have found happiness in my life!  I am no longer on anti-depressants and I have so much more energy.

YOU are the reason that my family is in recovery. It is because of YOU that my oldest son now is enjoying school.  YOU are the reason my second son is speaking. YOU are the reason my daughter is no longer as rigid and controlling as she once was.  Thank you does not even begin to cover how much gratitude I have for you.  I thank God every day for you and I do not even know you.

Please know that you are changing lives with your donation to ATCA and the OI.  It is because of you that every day people are getting the help that they need. Thank you, thank you and thank you!

With so much love,

Kerry Rihtar