Autism Services

Devereux: Serving Children and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Devereux supports children and adults with autism in the development of communication, social and independence skills needed to realize fulfilling, productive and socially connected lives. Our programs and services utilize evidenced-based strategies, implemented through the science of applied behavior analysis.

We offer Approved Private Schools for school-aged children, school and family consultation, innovative transition services for adults ages 18 and older, community living and life sharing programs.

Key principles of our autism programs:

Person-centered — services are individualized and flexible to meet the unique needs of each individual.

Collaborative — all programs work closely with each individual, family/caregiver, and related community members to maximize each individual's potential.

Community-focused — services and supports are delivered in school, community, home and employment settings.

Emphasize skill building — skill building that will lead directly to greater independence and success across settings.

Enhance self-determination — services and supports that promote each individual's ability to participate in processes and make decisions that impact their lives.

Emphasize quality of life — quality of life indicators are identified to assist in determining program success, such as satisfaction with school and employment, community integration, social connectedness, and personal autonomy.

Accountable and effective — objective data and social validity measures are used to evaluate the effectiveness of evidence-based practices; data-based decision models are used to modify programs when needed.

Children/Adolescent Programs & Services

Devereux Schools

Our two state-of-the-art schools for children ages 5 to 21, located in suburbs of Philadelphia and New York City, are Approved Private Schools (APS), serving children with autism, many of whom have severe behavioral problems and cognitive challenges.

Elementary/Middle School Program

Educational focus is placed on communication, social and independence skills to enable each child to maximize his or her potential in the least restrictive environment. Skill development includes:

• Receptive, expressive and written communication
• Self-care, domestic and community daily living
• Social, play/leisure and coping skills
• Age appropriate academics and functional academics
• Fine and gross motor skills
• Vocational skills

Each student's learning focus is outlined in an Individual Education Plan. The IEP consists of an average of 20-30 skill acquisition objectives – a result of a comprehensive evaluation report, ongoing assessments as well as family involvement and input.

Applied Behavior Analysis

Our instructional methods reflect contemporary strategies consistent with applied behavior analysis. These include but are not limited to:

• Individual and small group instruction
• Skills taught in context during natural and preferred activities
• Functional Communication Training (PECS or other augmentative communication systems)
• A variety of lesson formats (chaining, incidental teaching, shaping, and discrete trial)
• Visual mediation for schedules, reward systems, communication and social skills
• Use of specialized prompting procedures
• Data-based decision making
• Positive Behavior Support Planning

Transitioning to Adulthood

Our programs for adolescents and young adults with autism focus on achieving independence in self-care routines, domestic, employment, community-based and recreational skills, human sexuality, mobility training, and self-determination skills.

Communication deficits can be a primary source of behavior problems for this age group. We focus on teaching our students functional communication skills and replacement behaviors and provide them with opportunities for practice in natural environments, such as the home, work place, or community setting.

We use a variety of community-based employment training sites to assess each student's learning styles, strengths, needs, and employment preferences and then to develop and master skills that will lead to successful competitive employment upon graduation.

Parent and Family Involvement

Families and caregivers play an integral role at Devereux. Collaboration is facilitated through daily communication among teachers and families as well as scheduled meetings such as the IEP, Futures Planning, Parent-Teacher Organization and Quality Improvement meetings.

Parent education is critical for the student's improvement. As challenging behaviors decrease and adaptive skills increase, we offer parents guidance and training in appropriate limit-setting, successful instructional techniques and functional communication skills.

Devereux Connecticut's Glenholme School is an innovative therapeutic boarding school for young people, ages 10 to 18, diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, ADHD, depression, anxiety, and other learning difficulties. The program utilizes principles of applied behavior analysis and positive behavioral interventions and supports to help students accomplish their goals, and meet their needs in a socially acceptable manner, while building upon each student's unique strengths, talents and interests. Our goal is to prepare our graduates for continued education in traditional schools, boarding schools, colleges and universities.

School and Family Consultation

Since 2004, CARES Consultants have partnered with school districts, intermediate units, and families across the region by providing workshop trainings, conferences, ongoing consultation, and program development. Workshops include:

• Applied Behavior Analysis Instructional Techniques
• Assessment of Skills
• IEP Development
• Setting up Classrooms
• Developing Functional Classroom Schedules
• Functional Communication Training
• Social Skills Training
• Visual Enhancement Strategies
• Evaluating Student Progress

CARES consultants have extensive experience training school districts with students that have traditionally been placed in approved private schools. We have a well developed model, which uses implementation effectiveness measures such as performance checklists and team supervision meetings to ensure a more consistent application of instructional techniques and long-term positive staff and student performance.

Staff of Devereux Millwood provide a variety of consultation and other services to families and agencies with adolescents and adults with ASD. These include:

• Part-time instruction for high school students, which covers daily living skills and community-based pre-vocational activities
• Job coaching or pre-vocational training and services through local school districts, or through approved ACCES-VR/OPWDD contracts
• Consultation to school districts and/or families in positive behavioral interventions and supports.

Transition Services

Devereux CARES and Millwood offer innovative transition programs that provide instruction and support across work, community and home environments. These standalone programs are designed for individuals with autism who are 21 or over or in their last year of school-age services.

CAAPP provides innovative services including community-based support and skill development in communications, social skills, self-care, work-readiness, vocational training, community-based employment experiences and instruction, service learning and volunteer activities.

The evening academy offers a post-secondary education program for adults with autism spectrum disorders. The goal of the program is to strengthen academic, social, daily living, employment and community skills through intensive instruction. Courses offered include computer skills, social skills, prevocational/employment, personal finance, recreation, community-based living and study skills/test preparation.

This day program for adults with autism spectrum disorders is a continuation of the services of the school program. Its primary support and instructional tool is an applied behavior analysis methodology to support a seamless transition between school and work. Individuals in the adult program participate in a blended service model consisting of a supported employment experience and day habitation without walls.

Glen Ridge is a college and post secondary program directed toward young adults with learning disabilities and Asperger Syndrome. The Glen Ridge program focuses on developing the skills needed to succeed in college, work environments and social settings. The program encourages and coaches autonomy in a safe, challenging and supportive setting. Glen Ridge is located near a variety of community colleges, universities and businesses in beautiful Western Connecticut.

Autism Transition Handbook Wiki

www.autismhandbook.org provides individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families with timely and comprehensive information on the transition to adulthood. Enabled by a wiki format, content is updated regularly and includes sections on transition planning, state and federally funded support services, health care, employment, community living, post-secondary education, family education, recreation, and financial planning. The site also includes a Facebook page and a twitter feed (@autismwiki).

Adult Services

Community Living

Devereux offers campus- and community-based residences for adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities in these communities:

Devereux California, Santa Barbara, CA 805.968.2525

Devereux Florida, Orlando, FL 800.338.3738

Devereux Massachusetts, Rutland, MA 508.886.4746

Devereux New Jersey, West Deptford, NJ 856.599.6411

Devereux New York, Red Hook, NJ 845.758.8936

Devereux Pennsylvania, Adult Services, Berwyn, PA 610.251.2017

Devereux Texas, Victoria, TX 361.574.7208

We provide a comprehensive life enrichment program that promotes self-improvement, decision-making, task completion, community involvement, recreation and family collaboration.

Life Sharing

Individuals live with "host" families who provide homes for people with disabilities. Life Sharing enriches the quality of life of individuals with autism and other disabilities as they become part of a family and the community and offers opportunities for people to have:

• Individualized, flexible programming
• Stable, long term relationships
• Integration into the community
• Increased access to social events
• Support to reach their goals and dreams

Autism Resources

Links for more information on autism spectrum disorders. Learn More »

Resources

More information about transition planning can be found at Devereux's Autism Transition Handbook wiki. This online resource, which includes a Facebook page and Twitter feed, is updated regularly, and provides comprehensive information on the transition to adulthood. Learn More »

 

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