Call us or email us 510.741.5440 for more information
We offer a full continuum of services for three age groups: 5 to 8 years old, 8 to 12 years old, and 13 years and older. Early intervention is also available. Our instructional models, accelerated academics, and functional living skills are age-appropriate and based on individual learning needs.
Emphasis
We educate students in an environment governed by respect and compassion, using positive, proven, research-based strategies. Our program emphasizes:- Individualized Education Plans (IEP)
- Measurable goals for language, social, and academic progress
- Highly structured classrooms
- Positive teaching and behavior management strategies
- Small class sizes with intensive staff-to-student ratios
- A strong language development curriculum
- A strong emphasis on social development
Strategies
We use progressive teaching strategies that are proven to help children with Autism Spectrum Disorders reach their highest potential.
Applied Behavior Analysis
Our foundational strategy for addressing challenging behaviors–offers safe, positive, and respectful methods to teach students to use self-control and develop appropriate alternative behaviors, and improve the students’ ability to learn and communicate. The ABA methodologies we rely on include:- Discrete Trial Training
- Pivotal Response Training
- Functional Behavior Assessments
- Positive Behavior Intervention Plans
Structured Teaching
Involves presenting information and materials in a visual format, allowing us to capitalize on a student’s visual strengths while minimizing the deficits of auditory processing. This strategy involves providing each student with:- Physical structure
- Daily schedules
- Work systems
Language and Play.
Children with Autism often suffer from developmental delays in both language and social skills. As a means of strengthening the relationship between play and language, our instructors provide each student with opportunities to engage in play-based instruction, using strategies such as:- Natural language paradigm
- Social stories
- Video modeling
- Picture exchange communication
Learning environments
Dedicated Autism classrooms
Our Dedicated Autism Classrooms offer highly structured settings where we teach academic, social, and behavioral skills. We then help students transfer those skills to a natural environment. In doing so, we help students generalize what they’ve learned and apply it to their everyday life.
Life Skills classrooms
In our Life Skills Classrooms, students master the practical tasks of daily living: Buying and preparing food; maintaining personal hygiene; using functional math, communication, and social skills; and so on. Students in Life Skills Classrooms receive guided opportunities to practice life skills right in their own community.
For additional information about this program, or to discuss a referral to Spectrum, call (510) 741-5440 or contact us.