Our education program provides effective, science-based intervention using an applied behavior analytic approach for children and young adults with autism. The students served are between the ages of 5 and 21. Intervention is provided in the program building between 8:15am and 2:15am, 12 months a year.
Applied behavior analysis is an evidence-based teaching approach. Data are collected on observable and measurable socially relevant behavior in need of change. Intervention procedures are based on behavior analytic research relevant to the target behavior and are designed to generalize treatment gains acquired during teaching to untrained settings, stimuli, and locations. Students receive the level of supervision needed to acquire critical social, language, academic and independent skills. As competencies in core skill areas develop, students are provided the opportunity to access instruction in more traditional educational arrangements.
Our professional team works closely with families and parents to ensure that responses acquired in the educational program are displayed in the home and community environments.
Classroom staff encourage frequent parent visits to the program and schedule regular staff visits to the home. Classroom professionals communicate with families at least weekly by phone or video conference to discuss student progress. Face-to-face interactions with parents occur approximately twice a month. Parents are invited into the classroom to observe, to collect data, and to work directly with their child. Staff members periodically go into the child’s home and into the community with the child and child’s parent to ensure the generality of responding from the classroom to the home/community, and from the home/community to the classroom. Siblings and extended family members are encouraged to be a part of the process. The more collaboration, the better our outcome!
