Devereux Kanner's focus is treatment first, but having fun is a close second, and critical to successful outcomes. Recreational opportunities abound at Devereux including year-round Special Olympics, full gymnasium, outdoor pool and companionable zoo. Kanner celebrates cultural diversity through special events, dances, theatre, carnivals, special meals, music and art. Community involvement takes place through outings, volunteer service and employment. An array of hobbies and outdoor activities allows everyone a choice in selecting something they find rewarding.
Kanner students go on campouts, to amusement parks, travel to distant parts of the state, and much more. These activities are made possible by Devereux's fundraising team and the generous gifts of our supporters.
Devereux has two Approved Private Schools: the Leo Kanner Learning Center on our residential campus in West Chester, PA and the CARES day program in Downingtown, PA.
Day and residential students receive instruction in small classroom settings. Students may have diagnoses such as: developmental disabilities, mild to severe emotional disturbances, dual diagnoses (MH/MR), Autism as well as Severe Mental Retardation to Borderline Intellectual Functioning. Students may display challenging behaviors, learning disabilities or academic skill deficits that may not have been adequately addressed in a public school setting.
Educational goals may include academics, pre-vocational, vocational, counseling, speech, physical education, occupational therapy, physical therapy, self-care and other independent living skills. All students in the program receive individual or small group instruction that may not have been available within their home school district. |
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| Kanner CARES |
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Devereux Kanner Center for Autism Research and Education Services(CARES) is a state of the science center-based, day education program for students with autism using contemporary strategies and methodologies consistent with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
CARES provides an environment that will allow each child to reach their fullest potential as a productive socially connected and personally fulfilled individual by using proactive strategies in the least restrictive environment possible.
CARES offers classroom services centered around a menu of programmatic alternatives that ensure age-appropriate and meaningful instructional opportunities for intensive and individualized skill acquisition, functional communication training, and positive behavior support strategies.
CARES program provides classroom services in addition to promoting skill generalization in home and other relevant environments.
Visit the CARES website for more information. |
| Leo Kanner Learning Center |
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Kanner serves students with a specific learning disability, neurological impairment, serious emotional disturbance, mental retardation, speech and language impairment, and autism/pervasive developmental disorder. The school is administered and monitored by an Educational Director and Supervisors of Special Education. A certified Special Education Teacher implements each student's IEP (Individualized Education Plan) with classroom assistance from a program counselor. The Kanner Interdisciplinary Team develops the IEP with input from the student, parents/ guardians, school district, and other funding agencies. Progress is monitored through the use of assessments and ongoing data collection of skills and behaviors. The program is ungraded with students grouped by functioning levels, age and socialization skills.
Curriculum/Components
- Functional Academics: Taught in the following five areas: Reading, Math, Writing, Social Studies and Science.
- Social Skills/Communication: Teaching of appropriate social skills through direct classroom instruction and naturally occurring opportunities. A total communication program for teaching language to verbal and nonverbal students.
- Daily Living Skills: Includes activities of daily living through routine tasks and analyses.
- Employment Training: Includes routines for attaining, maintaining, changing or terminating employment. Routine and task analyses for work opportunities are available.
- Leisure/Recreation
- Companion Zoo
- Activites:
- Special Olympics
- Field Trips
- Intramurals
- Community Integration
- Work Study Programs
- Service Learning Programs
- Fundraising for Charitable Organizations
- Extended School Year (ESY) Program
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| Additional Educational Services |
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All services as identified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (i.e. speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy) are available through Kanner, the school district, or as a contracted service. Services are identified as a component of the IEP process and specified within the IEP document.
Students are exposed to a variety of experiences, both on and off campus, including physical education, art, library/ multimedia center (including a computer lab), field trips, assemblies, and an on-campus companionable zoo.
The Transition to Work program serves older students, ages 18-21, with a focus on implementation of the transition plan outlined in the IEP. Individual growth, career adaptability, and personal success are outcomes to be achieved through the work experience based on basic skill development. The curriculum includes production skills, mobile work forces and supported employment with a job coach. |
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| Day School Referrals |
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Please call (610) 873-4901 for Day School referrals.
To make a referral for Kanner CARES send packets to:
Attention: Program Director
Devereux CARES
620 Boot Road
Downingtown, PA 19335
(610) 873-4930 - Telphone
Click here for referral guidelines |
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