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Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders

Devereux Pennsylvania Children's Services supports youth with autism spectrum disorders in the development of communication, social and independence skills needed to realize fulfilling, productive and socially-connected lives. All programs and services utilize evidenced-based strategies, including Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports and Applied Behavior Analysis.

Services include:

Autism Intensive Residential Services

pachildrensreferrals@devereux.org
(484) 595-6797

The Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s Services center’s Autism Intensive Residential Services program – a neurobehavioral unit – provides intensive treatment for children and adolescents, ages 6 to 17, who have not responded to treatment in traditional community-based or residential settings. 

The program serves individuals with a primary diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder and/or intellectual and developmental disability who demonstrate severe to moderate communication and adaptive behavior skill deficits. These individuals also have a history of a serious behavioral disorder, defined as frequent and intense aggression, and/or self-injurious behavior, as well as other behaviors that are dangerous to self or others. 

The program employs evidenced-based practices across a continuum of care. These practices include a foundation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) delivered in a treatment environment that is trauma-sensitive and trauma-informed. The continuum of care begins with a comprehensive, functional behavior assessment in the family’s home, followed by intensive, clinical services for a period for six to ten months on the Devereux Pennsylvania Children's Services' campus, and concludes with discharge and after-care service planning.

Our team of professionals includes Board Certified Behavioral Analysts (BCBAs), a clinical psychologist, child psychiatrist, special education teacher, nurses, speech language therapist, residential unit supervisor, and direct care providers, specially trained in Applied Behavior Analysis, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and Individualized Positive Behavior Support. 

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Residential Treatment

Devereux Pennsylvania Children's Services provides a wide array of 24-hour, out-of-home residential programs for children and youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A team of experienced staff are dedicated to helping each individual achieve social, emotional and educational goals and return to their home communities. 

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Approved Private Schools

Devereux Pennsylvania Children's Services' Approved Private Schools are state-licensed schools operated by private agencies. The schools provide special education day and/or residential programs for students with disabilities. The school district and the state will share in the cost to place a child in an Approved Private School if the child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) team determines that the educational needs of the child cannot be met in a general education environment. Parents also may choose to privately fund the tuition cost of an Approved Private School. While placements are typically within state, children may be placed in an out-of-state program if an in-state school is not available.

The Devereux Center for Autism Research and Education Services (CARES) School
600 Boot Road, Downingtown, PA 19335
(610) 873-4930
Description: Co-ed day school for children with autism, ages 5 to 21. 
  
The Learning Center
390 E. Boot Road, West Chester, PA 19380
(610) 425-6309
Description: Co-ed day and residential programs for children, ages 5 to 21, with autism, other intellectual disabilities and mental health diagnoses.  

Transition programs: Our transition programs for adolescents and young adults focus on achieving independence in self-care routines; domestic, employment, community-based and recreational skills; human sexuality; mobility training; and self-determination skills. We use person-centered futures planning and community-based instruction to support our students as they prepare for adulthood.

Families and caregivers play an integral role in treatment and outcomes. Collaboration is facilitated through frequent, informal communication among teachers and families, as well as scheduled meetings for: an IEP, futures planning, and parent-teacher organization and quality improvement meetings.

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CARES – Ascent School-to-Work Transition Program

Ascent – a program from Devereux Pennsylvania’s Community Adult Autism Partnership Program (CAAPP) – assists school districts in meeting the unique needs of transition-age students (ages 14 to 21) who do not benefit from spending a full school day in the classroom. The transition model emphasizes independence, employment readiness, community-based instruction and positive behavior support planning. With the support of highly skilled Devereux specialists who work with the school’s IEP team, students develop appropriate and effective skills that will facilitate independence throughout their adult lives.

Program Components:

  • Assessment: Employment interests and readiness, community and independent living skills, social and communication skills, person-centered futures planning, functional behavior assessment 
  • Employment preparation and placement: Placement and support in community-based job and training sites, instruction in critical skills, portfolio and resume development  
  • Direct instruction: Instruction in community-based skills, independent living skills, social skills and communication skills  
  • Positive behavior support planning: Skilled oversight by master’s-level or higher professionals, training and support to all levels of direct service staff, data collection, monitoring, and reporting.

Contact Information:
Kate Langston Rooney
(610) 710-4026
klangsto@devereux.org

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