Pathfinder Academy in Jacksonville - Summer Program

Autism school holds summer program to prep students | todaysthv.com

JACKSONVILLE, Ark. (KTHV) -- Pathfinder Inc. in Jacksonville has opened a middle school for children with autism. The school year begins on Aug. 15 and the organization is holding a summer program to prepare the students for the school year.

"It's exciting. Exciting for me because when he was in public school I would never go have lunch with him because he would cry when I left."

Lisa Bamburg's son, Joel, is one of eight students enrolled in the new Pathfinder Academy in Jacksonville. Joel and his classmates have autism. He's working on a basic skill, brushing his teeth, when we visit his classroom.

Director Tim Thomas says they are ready for the academy's first official year to begin.

ISMILE School for Autism

Running long distance for autism school - River Cities - MiamiHerald.com

ISMILE, which cleverly stands for Institute for Special Minds Interacting in Learning Environment, is a nonprofit outreach program in Miami Springs that strives to help children with autism discover their true abilities. It was created in response to the large demand for effective programs in South Florida helping parents with the expense of quality therapies.

“We started out five years ago with just four kids and we had up to 12 at one point and now have 10,” said ISMILE executive director Juliana Schaffer. “We’re very grateful to the folks here at Grace Lutheran who have been so generous to share their facilities with us and extremely indebted to Mr. Dominguez, who has offered up his running talents to help us raise much-needed funding.”

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/04/2139657/running-long-distance-for-autism.html#ixzz1IgdupptY

Palm Beach School for Autism Implements Apple iPads in Curriculum

Using funds received from a TD Charitable Foundation grant, The Palm Beach School for Autism purchased 15 Apple iPads to be implemented in both the general curriculum and with the speech and language therapists. Studies have shown that the use of Apple iPads can extend short attention spans, demonstrate understanding, and improve communication skills. Applications like Proloquo2Go provide a full-featured communication solution for people who have difficulty speaking. It brings natural sounding text-to-speech voices, up-to-date symbol, powerful automatic conjugations, default vocabulary of over 7,000 items, full expandability and extreme ease of use to the iPad.

"The Apple iPad fosters improvement across a wide area of skills such as visual and auditory memory, independent functioning, social/emotional, receptive/expressive language, pragmatic/social language and cognitive skills,” said Paula Perretz, speech and language pathologist. “Children with autism have different styles of learning, and the iPad addresses both auditory and visual learning styles. The iPad has apps which help increase desire and motivation to learn, attention to task, short and long term memory, and enables the interaction and development of communication as it is truly a revolutionary high tech dynamic display AAC device.”

The Palm Beach School for Autism, a charter school located in Lantana, Florida provides a developmentally appropriate intense behavior intervention program for children with autism and related disabilities. It addresses the learning needs of its students through individual educational plans, a highly trained teaching staff and choice of curricula to suit the individual needs of the student.

For more information about The Palm Beach School for Autism, please contact Josh Hirsch at (561) 533-9917 or via e-mail at JoshH@pbsfa.org. You can also find us on the Web at www.pbsfa.org
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About The Palm Beach School for Autism:
The mission of The Palm Beach School for Autism is to provide a developmentally appropriate education using intensive behavioral strategies for students with autism spectrum disorder and related disabilities..

The vision and purpose of The Palm Beach School for Autism is to demonstrate that all age students with autism spectrum disorder can learn to lead successful & fulfilling lives through a structured educational program using strategies tailored to each student’s needs.

We address the learning needs of the students that we serve through individual educational plans, a highly trained teaching staff and the choice of curricula to suit the individual needs of the student. Each student’s program will be designed with their unique behavioral traits in mind to overcome their cognitive weaknesses and emphasize their strengths. Behavioral modification is critical to reach academic success for the child with autism spectrum disorder.

Ernie Els - Autism Center of Excellence (Palm Beach County, FL)

"While Ernie competes in the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach this week, plans are under way in Florida to create a Center of Excellence. Set on 15 acres in northern Palm Beach County, it will accommodate 300 full-time students with ASD, with 100,000 square feet of classrooms and state-of-the-art medical, research, and recreational facilities. "Autism touches each kid in a different way," Els says. "We'll be prepared to deal with ASD on all levels, and to give each kid--each person--the most effective individual treatment he or she can get."

"Due for completion in 2012, the center will be the largest and most comprehensive facility of its kind. Through the nonprofit Els for Autism Foundation, Ernie and have committed $6 million and raised an additional $4.6 million. A total of $30 million is needed. "

- Parade: Golfer Ernie Els: 'I've Got a Boy with Autism'




Related:

• Ernie Els Official Site - Autism Intro - ErnieEls.com
  
• "Liezl Els Committed to Autism Awareness" - PGA TOUR Charities
• Ernie Els speaks out over son's autism - The Daily Telegraph
• PGA, Els Family Tee Up to Raise Awareness, Autism Speaks

The Eden Institute

The Eden Institute

• 13631 Learning Court South
  
• Fort Myers, FL 33919
  
• (941) 437-5335 or 5336
  
• (941) 437-5337 (Fax)
• Send email

The Eden Family of Services

• One Eden Way
• Princeton, NJ 08540
• Telephone: (609) 987-0099
• Fax: (609) 987-0243
• Foundation fax: (609) 987-1346

Eden, a New Jersey-based nonprofit organization, was founded in 1975 with a mission to improve the lives of children and adults with autism and their families. Parents and professionals alike joined together to develop a family oriented, multifaceted program with a well-trained and dedicated faculty. Inherent in Eden's founding was the commitment to provide a cost-effective, community-based alternative to institutionalization and to offer programming that would meet the changing needs of children and adults with autism.

Therapeutic Intervention Program (Sunrise, FL)

Therapeutic Intervention Program

• ARC Broward
  
• 10250 NW 53rd Street
  
• Sunrise, FL 33351
  
• (954) 746-9400
  
• (954) 577-4134 (Fax)

The Jericho School (Jacksonville, FL)

The Jericho School

• PO Box 19798
• Jacksonville, FL 32245
• (904) 744-5110
  
• (904) 744-3443(Fax)
  
• Send email

The mission of The Jericho School (non profit 501(c) 3 corporation) is to provide comprehensive, individualized science-based education not otherwise available in our community. We believe those children with autism and other developmental delays deserve the opportunity to reach their full potential. The school’s curriculum provides effective treatment and education programs to children and their families based on Applied Behavior Analysis and Verbal Behavior.

History

In 1995 a group of concerned parents and business leaders found the need to establish a new school for children with autism in Jacksonville Florida. The Jericho School was created to make available the best practices in early childhood development and education to families who have children with developmental disabilities. At that time The Jericho School was one of only a few select schools in the United States to provide a science-based curriculum utilizing Applied Behavior Analysis.

The Jericho School has continued to develop and expand, creating additional programs and services to reach more families and meet the needs of the community. The Jericho School has made training and education available for over 500 families and has been responsible for training many professionals and other qualified individuals in this community and beyond.

While the school started with humble beginnings, the school has evolved into a multi-faceted program that continues to expand to accommodate the ever-increasing number of children with autism and other developmental delays. The Jericho School has become a model program and a leader in the treatment of children with autism and the application of Applied Behavior Analysis and Verbal Behavior.

Staff / Board of Directors

Administration

• Angelo Martinez, Executive Director
• Jaqui Larrabaster, Educational Director
• Amie Austria, Lead Teacher
• Cassandra Kline, Office Manager
• Ginger Sloop, Chief Financial Officer

Board of Directors

• Tad Delegal
• David Abraham
• Casey Drayton
• Debbie McDonald
• Leona Sheddan
• Sharon Sherman
• Minna Strickland
• Irene Gallo
• Lauralyn Popp

Teaching Staff

We currently have three Certified Associated Behavior Analysis
on our teaching staff.

Contact Information

Mailing Address: PO Box 11057 Jacksonville, FL 32239		Physical Address: 1351 Sprinkle Drive Jacksonville, FL 32211
Phone: 904-744-5110		Fax: 904-744-3443
Email: jerichos@bellsouth.net

The Threshold Inc. (Goldenrod, FL)

Threshold, Inc.

• PO Box 1110
  
• Goldenrod, FL 32733
  
• (407) 671-7060
  
• Send email

Palm Beach County Public Charter School for Children with Autism

Palm Beach County Public Charter School for Children with Autism

• 5800 Corporate Way
  
• West Palm Beach, FL 33407
  
• (561) 640-0270
  
• (561) 640-0270 (Fax)

Quest Kids (Orlando, Fl)

Quest Kids

• 406 E Amelia Street
  
• Orlando, FL 32803
  
• (407) 872-3378
  
• (407) 872-3378 (Fax)

Pinnacle Academy (Bradenton, FL)

Pinnacle Academy, Inc.
6215 Lorraine Road
Bradenton, FL 34202
(941) 755-1400

Our Mission

~To blend proven behavioral and developmental methods to create a program which meets the individualized needs of each child.

~To enhance a collaborative approach between home and school.

~To provide a tailored educational setting, which addresses the full spectrum of autism treatment needs.

~To increase awareness and education through parent and professional training opportunities.

~To enable children to reach their potential in a setting where they feel comfortable, confident, and safe.

Jacksonville School for Children with Autism

Jacksonville School for Children with Autism

• 4000 Spring Park Road
  
• Jacksonville, FL 32207
  
• (904) 732-4343
• Send email

Jacksonville School for Children with Autism (JSCA) was established in 2005 by two families in an effort to create a safe and flexible learning environment. JSCA families take an active role in the decisions that drive their children's educational programs. The school is designed so that children maintain high levels of one-to-one instruction with teachers as well as interact with peers in structured and unstructured activities.

The school is incorporated as a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) private school. Funding comes from parent fees, the McKay and other scholarships, fundraising, grants and volunteer efforts.

Our Philosophy
The parents and professionals at JSCA believe that children with autism can learn to communicate, socialize and become productive members of society. Many children with autism are capable of learning age appropriate academics and given the proper amount of adult support, can thrive.

Guiding Principles
Given that no one child is just like another, JSCA offers the opportunity to integrate a variety of curriculums and methodologies to meet each child's individualized educational goals.

The common methodology at JSCA is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)/Verbal Behavior (VB) as described by B.F Skinner. ABA is utilized during group activities and natural environment teaching.

Additionally, students combine aspects of Speech and Language Therapy, Rapid Prompting Method, Greenspan DIR model, Relationship Development Intervention, Occupational Therapy/Sensory Integration, picture schedules, and socialization with peers.

Individual children, depending on their developmental level and symptoms, will need different amounts of each of these approaches in their program. The Integrated Model combines the best and most child-appropriate elements from each of these approaches in order to produce natural and spontaneous behaviors and language.

The Hope Center for Autism (Jensen Beach, FL)

The Hope Center

• 1400 NE Jensen Beach Blvd.
  
• Jensen Beach, FL 34957
  
• (772) 334-3288
• Send email
  
  The Hope Center for Autism opens doors for people affected by autism. We accomplish this through providing the supports and services necessary for people with autism to reach their full potential.

ABC School House (Orlando, FL)

ABC School House, Inc.

• 113 W. Chapman Rd.
  
• Orlando, Fl 32765
  
• (407) 324-7772
  
• Send Email

ABC School House is a unique and dynamic program unlike any other in the Central Florida area. ABC School House was designed to fill the deficits that are often found in traditional schools. Since we understand the difficulty families have of trying to get everything their child needs in one setting, we have designed a program that is sure to meet every childs individual needs.

What Sets Us Apart :
BCBA™ (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) and BCABA™ (Board Certified Associate Behavior Analyst) on site daily for program oversight and therapist supervision
Directors and Founders are Certified Behavior Analysts with Verbal Behavior backgrounds
Year-Round, Full-Day Instruction
Research-based Interventions and Curriculums
Approved practicum site the for FIT (Florida Institute of Technology) Behavior Analysis Graduate Program
Individual Learning Plans (ILP’s)
Computer Lab
Open-door policy for parents and outside therapists
We encourage parent involvement
All Behavior Therapists must have former experience with children with disabilities, Autism and Behavior Analysis prior to employement
Intensive New Employee Training and Accountability Program
Weekly Staff training in ABA/VB methodologies
Individual and group school picture days
Extracurricular enrichment programs
Low staff turnover
Approved McKay Scholarship participants
Active members of the Florida Association for Behavior Analysis and the Association for Behavior Analysis
Members of ASGO ( Autism Society of Greater Orlando)
Members of the Council for Exceptional Children
Members of the Winter Springs/Oviedo Chamber of Commerce
1:1, 1:2 or 1:3* student placement options
Half-day Early Intervention program

* Students must be pre-approved for placement in a 1:3 group, must have a Matrix score of 254 or lower, and be toilet trained.

Program Components :
Comprehensive behavior, communication and skill assessments (at no additional cost)
Complete ABLLS/ABLLS-R and VP-MAPP assessments
Brigance testing, PEP-R testing and GAR-2 testing available
Behavior Management for mild-to-severe behavioral concerns
Verbal Behavior / communication training
Academics (use research-based and computer-based curriculums)
Play & Social Skills
Toilet Training
Self-Care and Independent Living Skills
Pre-Vocational Skills
Computer, typing & mouse skills
Gymnastics
Field Trips
Parent education
Free Respite Care*
Before & After Care Program**
In-home parent –training and 1:1 ABA therapy
After school 1:1 ABA therapy on site

*Free Respite care is offered at the school every other month on a Saturday Night from 5:30pm – 9:30pm. Students and siblings are welcome.
**Additional fees apply for before and after-care programs.

The May Institute

The May Institute (800) 778-7601 Send email


May Institute Corporate Headquarters
41 Pacella Park Drive
Randolph, MA 02368
781-440-0400
Toll free: 800-778-7601
TTY: 781-440-0461
Email: info@mayinstitute.org

May Institute, Northeast Region

Cape Cod
722A Main Street
Yarmouthport, MA 02675
508-362-5647

Southeastern Massachusetts
37 Purchase Street
Fall River, MA 02720
508-675-5888

Western Massachusetts
1111 Elm Street, Suite 7
West Springfield, MA 01089
413-734-0300

Connecticut
360 Tolland Turnpike, Suite 2D
Manchester, CT 06042
860-643-9844

May Institute, Mid-Atlantic Region

1900 Mount Holly Road
Building 1, Suite A
Burlington, NJ 08016
800-778-7601

May Institute, Southeast Region

Georgia
280 Interstate North Circle, Suite 430
Atlanta, GA 30339
770-956-8511

Southeast Regional Autism Center
705 17th Street, Suite 401
Columbus, GA 31901
706-571-7771

Florida
1409 Kingsley Avenue, Suite 1A
Orange Park, FL 32073
904-269-0773

May Institute, Midwest Region
900 West Heading Avenue, Building A
West Peoria, IL 61604
866-219-6935

May Institute, West Coast Region
5400 Soquel Avenue, Suite F
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
831-462-9620
www.thebayschool.org

For more than 50 years, the caring professionals of the May Institute have set a national standard for providing comprehensive, research-validated services to children and adults with autism, brain injury, mental retardation, pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), and behavioral healthcare needs. May's award-winning network of educational, behavioral, and rehabilitative programs blends science with service to help make progress possible for thousands of individuals every year.

With corporate headquarters in Randolph, Massachusetts, and regional offices in the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and on the West Coast, the Institute offers a broad range of services in more than 200 sites throughout the country:

• Home-based early intervention for infants and toddlers
• Schools for individuals with autism and brain injury
• Counseling for adolescents and young adults
• Consultation in home and school settings
• Positive Schools program and Positive Behavior Support (PBS) Services
• Geriatric day health services for senior adults with mental illness

May Institute is an active center of research and training, maintaining affiliations with more than 40 universities, hospitals, and human service agencies worldwide. Our state-of-the-art services reflect the talent and expertise of our doctoral-level clinical leadership and hundreds of highly trained teachers, therapists, and other specialists. We also benefit from the expertise of a Professional Advisory Board whose members include leading authorities in the field.

Click here to download a May Institute overview brochure.

History of the May Institute
May Institute was founded in the seaside village of Chatham, Massachusetts, by Dr. Jacques M. May and his wife, Marie-Anne, in 1955. Their vision was to help children with disabilities lead the fullest lives possible. The Institute's first school developed as a result of Dr. and Mrs. May's determination to provide a supportive environment and progressive treatment for their twin boys with autism. Today, May Institute is among the largest, most respected, and innovative behavioral healthcare organizations in the country. May was featured in the book, In Search of America's Best Nonprofits (Jossey-Bass, 1997), and the Chatham school has been honored as one of the nation's "Schools of Excellence" by the U.S. Department of Education.

May Institute Philosophy
Our values and vision drive us to understand each person's unique needs and find effective means to help each individual reach his or her potential and live independently.

AL
Auburn (In-home/Autism,DD)

CA
San Francisco (Positive SchoolsSM)
San Jose (Pediatric Specialty Services)
Santa Cruz (Sp. Ed. School/Autism, PDD, DD)

FL
Jacksonville (Children's Services/Autism)
Jacksonville (In-home/Autism, DD)
GA
Atlanta (Pediatric Services)
Atlanta (Positive SchoolsSM)
Columbus (Southeast Regional Autism Center)
Georgia (In-home/Autism, DD)
Georgia (School Consultation)
Georgia (TAPP Program)

CT
Manchester (Adult Services/Developmental Disabilities)
KS Wichita (Positive SchoolsSM) MA
Attleboro (Clubhouse/Mental Health)
Attleboro (Vocation & Education/Mental Health)
Barnstable (Positive SchoolsSM)
Brockton (Positive SchoolsSM)
Brockton (Sp. Ed. School/Brain Injury)
Central and Eastern Mass. (Home and School Consultation Services)
Chatham (Autism, PDD, DD)
Fall River (Pediatric Specialty Services)
Fall River (Children's Services)
Fall River (Clubhouse/Mental Health)
Fall River (May Counseling @ Hyland Clinic)
Harwichport (Clubhouse/Mental Health)
Hyannis (Clubhouse/Mental Health)
Leominster (Positive SchoolsSM)
Lowell (Positive SchoolsSM)
Marlborough (Positive SchoolsSM)
Mashpee (Adult Services/MR, PDD, DD)
New Bedford (Adult Services/Mental Health)
New Bedford (Child & Teen/Mental Health)
New Bedford (Clubhouse/Mental Health)
Northeast Region (Home and School Consultation)
Randolph (Corporate Office)
Randolph (Home and School Consultation)
Randolph (Positive SchoolsSM)
Randolph (Sp. Ed. School/Autism, PDD, DD)
Raynham (Adult Services/MR, PDD, DD)
Revere(Adult Services/MR, PDD, DD)
W. Roxbury (Eval. & Therapy/ Mental Health)
W. Springfield (Adult Services/ MR, DD)
W. Springfield (Home & School Consultation)
W. Springfield (Sp. Ed. School/Autism, DD)
Walpole (Eval. & Therapy/Mental Health)
Walpole (Vocational Services/Mental Health)
Woburn (Sp. Ed. School/Autism, PDD, DD)
MD
Baltimore (Positive SchoolsSM)
ME
Southern Maine (Home and School Consultation)
NH
Southern New Hampshire (Home and School Consultation)
NJ
Mid-Atlantic Region (Home and School Consultation)
Trenton (Positive SchoolsSM)
NY
Albany (Positive SchoolsSM)
PA
Philadelphia (Home and School Consultation)
RI
Northeast Region (Home and School Consultation)
Providence (Positive SchoolsSM)
SC South Carolina (In-home/Autism, DD) TN Chattanooga (In-home/Autism, DD) Knoxville (In-home/Autism, DD) Knoxville (School Consultation) VT
Southern Vermont (Home and School Consultation)

Scott Center for Autism Treatment

The Scott Center for Autism Treatment:

• School of Psychology
• 150 W. University Blvd.
• Melbourne, FL 32901
• Phone: (321) 674-7103
• Fax: (321) 674-7105
• E-mail: thescottcenter@fit.edu

The Autism Center at Florida Tech is dedicated to providing the highest quality treatment, training and applied research to enhance the functioning and improve the quality of life of children with autism and related disabilities in Central Florida.

The Center will provide:

• empirically supported behavioral and allied health care diagnoses, assessments and treatments for children and their families
• intensive training and supervision in treatment for autism and related disabilities to students enrolled in the Florida Tech Applied
• Behavior Analysis (ABA) master’s program and to other professionals and paraprofessionals who will be working with this population
• an ongoing program of research directed toward improving clinical and behavioral outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and developing technological treatments and teaching aides for this population.