AUTISTIC SUPPORT PROGRAM



PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

Elementary/secondary school age students appropriate for this program are served in regional classes throughout Bucks County. All programs offer a low student to teacher ratio which permits instructional emphasis upon the development of skills in communication, behavior management, daily living, socialization and academic content areas. Speech therapy is fully integrated into the program. When needed, integrated occupational and/or physical therapy is provided.


Maximum Class Size: Appropriate Chapter 14 Guidelines for full time or supplemental caseloads
Secondary: 5-8

Instructional Assistants: Provided for each program

Students are instructed in the following areas: Communication, behavioral management, academics, fine/gross motor, daily living skills, social and community living skills. text here

The Primary Goal is to: Develop social, communication, behavioral, academic, and functional living skills in the least restrictive public education setting.

Related Services are included in the basic program.

PROGRAM FEATURES:

  • Intensive Specially Designed Instruction in Social, Communication and Behavioral Skills
  • Speech and Language Support Services
  • Augmentative Communication
  • Behavior Management Support Services
  • Parent Support Program
  • Coordination with Regular Education Curriculum
  • Program Supervision and Management
  • Individualized Educational Planning
  • Psychological Support Services
  • Social Support Services and Community Based Instruction for Secondary Students
  • Coordination with ESY Summer Autistic Program
  • Staff Development/Training (Project TEACCH, PECS, Applied Behavior Analysis, Responsive Classroom, Social Stories, Crisis Prevention Intervention and other emerging strategies)
  • Curriculum Consultant

AUTISTIC/APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (ABA) SUPPORT


PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

These classes for elementary-aged students diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder are based upon strict adherence to principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (i.e., functional assessment of behavior- FBA).  They are characterized by utilization of discrete trial instructional format (i.e., presentation of stimuli with responses followed by specific consequences- rewards and error correction feedback), an extremely high degree of consistency in presentation of instruction, rich schedule of reinforcement, data collection and a dependence on data in making instructional decisions, and systematic presentation of tasks.  Emphasis is on the development of skills in the areas of behavior, communication, socialization, functional living, and academics.  Due to the intensive nature of instruction, 1:1 student / staff ratios are maintained.  A full-time behavior analyst works with the classroom staff to provide on-going training and consultation.   Speech, occupational, and physical therapy are integrated into the discrete trials on an individual basis under the consultative guidance of speech and language, occupational, and physical therapists.

Maximum Class Size:        Appropriate Chapter 14 Guidelines for full time or supplemental caseloads

Instructional Assistants:    6 staff for a class of 6 Students

Students are instructed in the following areas: Behavioral management, communication, socialization, functional living, community living, fine/gross motor, academic skills.

The Primary Goal is to: develop socially acceptable behavior, a reliable and effective means of communication, and to develop basic academic skills in the least restrictive public education setting.

Related Services are included in the basic program.

PROGRAM FEATURES:

  • Applied Behavior Analysis methodology (Verbal Behavior, Discrete Trial, Direct Instruction, Functional Assessment, etc.)
  • Intensive data collection and data-based decision making
  • Emphasis on development of socially acceptable behavior, communication, social and academic skills
  • Materials-rich and highly structured physical environment
  • Behavior Analyst support
  • Positive Behavior Support
  • Intensive, on-going staff development and training
  • Program supervision and management
  • Highly individualized curriculum/individualized educational planning
  • Augmentative and Alternative Communication
  • Occupational Therapy support services
  • Physical Therapy support services
  • Speech and Language support services
  • Psychological support services
  • Social Work support services
  • Extended School Year programming (ESY)