Embarking on the journey of school is a significant milestone for children, and autism should not impede their progress. Allow us to assist in ensuring your child starts off on the right foot, setting them up for maximum potential in preschool, kindergarten, and beyond.
ABA Therapy Unlocks Learning Opportunities
Whether your child is 15 months, 3 years, or even 5 years old, the prospect of school may seem distant when dealing with autism. However, at SCADD, we believe it's never too early to consider school readiness. If academic success is a priority for you and your child, we are here to instill excitement about their first day. Our center-based model, distinctively equipped to address a broader range of skills and accomplish more goals than in-home or other therapy options, is the foundation of this belief. Through applied behavior analysis (ABA therapy) and complementary therapies all under one roof, SCADD focuses not only on academic skills but also on the essential skills your child needs to thrive outside academics. Our center-based model provides us with the time, tools, environment, structure, multidisciplinary expertise, and data to dedicate to this specialized learning even before preschool. Research indicates that children undergoing ABA-based intervention in preschool-like settings similar to ours made significantly more gains in both intellectual and adaptive functioning skills compared to those following the standard approach (Eldevik 2011). Allow our center-based, SCADD 360 Care therapy model* to provide your child with the same advantages. Schedule a Tour
Essential School-Ready Skills
The benefits of ABA therapy in preparing children for school are immeasurable. Our ABA therapy-trained professionals possess expertise in developing age-appropriate skills in children across the autism spectrum. Here is a glimpse of some essential skills required for the classroom that we are uniquely equipped to work on within our center environments:
1. Staying seated in a chair and/or at circle time
2. Following instructions and completing tasks
3. Paying attention and responding to teachers
4. Learning in a group setting
5. Lining up
6. Being aware of personal space and body awareness
7. Self-care skills (e.g., using the restroom, washing hands, feeding self)
8. Eating lunch around others
9. Playing cooperatively and interacting with peers
10. Leaving the home to attend a new place with new people
Why Opt for Center-Based Therapy?
While there isn't a one-size-fits-all treatment plan for children with autism, SCADD's in-center therapy provides us with a unique advantage to address a wider spectrum of needs than other options. Here are some advantages of center-based therapy:
1. ABA, speech, and occupational therapy all in one place*
2. Network of multidisciplinary certified clinicians and therapists under one roof
3. Ability to offer intensive therapy up to 40 hours per week
4. More control over variables to meet goals
5. Access to peers
6. Builds comfort outside the home as a stepping stone to school
From craft spaces and bathrooms resembling those at home to circle time areas and mock classrooms, SCADD facilities are designed with school and other natural environments in mind. Our team is prepared to facilitate successful transitions for learners, a process not achievable from within the home. Contact Us
Risks of Entering the Classroom without Therapy
While we cherish all our young learners at SCADD, our most rewarding days are when they transition to school. We do not aim to replace school but rather to adequately prepare children for this pivotal phase. We've witnessed instances where children enter preschool or kindergarten, yet limited interaction or learning occurs. Often, a child is segregated in a separate classroom due to a lack of understanding in a general education setting. In other cases, a child may face exclusion because they lack the necessary skills or behaviors to stay focused. Our comprehensive 360 Care therapy programs contribute to enhancing functional skills and reducing problematic behaviors, fostering improved progress in school. Our highly trained behavior analysts identify and develop the pivotal skills our young learners need to reach their maximum potential, ultimately opening doors of opportunity. Moreover, our centers are strategically designed with school and other natural environments in mind, allowing us to prepare and transition them in ways not possible from the confines of a home environment.
Design source: https://www.hopebridge.com/what-is-autism/school-readiness