The program’s goal is student placement in a home community-based educational setting. While much of the program’s emphasis is on the child’s time spent in class, time spent training and supporting the efforts of the family is an equally important part of the program.
It is also important for children with autism to practice and test new skills with other children in normalized settings such as the agency’s child care centers.
Promise utilizes Applied Behavior Analysis, which is the only treatment for autism that is research based and recognized by New York State as an accepted intervention for children with Autism. It is based upon a continuum of sequential learning environments in a variety of settings from one-to-one to integrated group settings reflecting their projected community educational setting. This allows for generalization and skill transfer to a variety of environments and situations.
The program accepts referrals and admissions throughout its 12-month school year. Generally, these referrals are made through the home school district’s Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) or Individual Family Service Planning (IFSP) process. Other referrals can be initiated by parents, physicians, other professionals or community agencies.
Parents are permitted and encouraged to visit the Promise program at any time. No appointment is necessary.
First Step Enhanced Development Group:
Toddlers ages 18 months to three years who demonstrate severe communications problems, autism or autism spectrum disorders may benefit from the First Step Enhanced Developmental Group. This program provides developmentally appropriate instruction through the use of Applied Behavioral Analysis and an introduction to discrete trial training. This program is housed in the same building as our Preschool Promise Program and has provided for excellent transitions as toddlers move into preschool. Children attend for 2 hours and receive speech services in addition to the instructional program and integrated opportunities.
Bridges Program:
As students progress through the Promise curriculum, they are being prepared to enter Kindergarten. Transitions can be made easier if children have an opportunity to interact with age appropriate peers in a "typical" Kindergarten setting. Promise is able to provide this setting within the socialization portion of the school day through a classroom experience with typical peers from the Upstate Cerebral Palsy childcare program housed in the same building with Promise.
Family Support:
The Promise program is committed to providing a full-range of support activities and resources to families involved with the program including a monthly family support group.
Home Services:
An integral part of the child’s treatment and educational plan is parent involvement and follow through. Raising and living with a child with autism can be extremely difficult both emotionally and physically. In order for parents to be effectively involved in their child’s treatment, Upstate Cerebral Palsy is committed to providing the skills, knowledge and support that the parents need. The program makes every effort to tailor goal plans and interventions to individual needs. A wide-array of services and supports will be made available and monitored for effectiveness.
Curriculum:
The Promise program utilizes the Individualized Goal Selection (IGS) curriculum. The IGS curriculum consists of broad domains, which contain 19 areas of development. The areas are then further subdivided as to levels, stages and tasks to further specify the process and sequences of goal attainment. The IGS curriculum serves not only as an educational tool, but as an administrative tool designed to assist in the development and monitoring of individual programs by facilitating the management and supervision of programs. In addition, the curriculum provides a mechanism for continuous evaluation of progress in achieving goals, and can be an integral part of the evaluation process.
Therapies:
The role of each therapist is to assess and implement Speech-Language, Occupational and Physical Therapy programs for the children. The therapists work directly with the children in both group and individual settings. In addition to this, the therapists coach and advise the other staff members in the area of communication, fine motor and gross motor development respectively.
Location:
Eiddon and Alice Jones Armory Campus
Carbone Children’s Center
1601 Armory Drive
Utica, NY 13501
For more information, or to register your child call:
(315) 798-4006 ext. 233
Email: jean.jacobson@upstatecp.org