Educating children with autism is a challenge for both parents and teachers. These children are individuals first and foremost with unique strengths and weaknesses. Some may be of average to above-average intelligence, while others may be below average. Academic
goals need to be tailored to that individual’s intellectual ability and functioning level.
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Highlands Center for Autism is located, on the first floor, in a facility adjacent to the Highlands Regional Medical Center campus. The Center will operate as a year-round private day school and accept students from earliest diagnosis through school age.
The program will have a low student to staff ratio (virtually 1:1) and each child’s program will be tailored to their needs. All staff will have appropriate credentials and will have extensive training in ABA.
Professionals involved in the students’ education will include educators, clinical psychologists, speech/language pathologists, and classroom behavior therapists. Consultation with pediatrics, nursing, and psychiatry will also be important. Parents will be encouraged to observe programming, attend seminars about ABA, work with their children at home, and participate in meetings regarding their child’s education. The program’s ultimate goal is to transition students back to their home school districts.