Our School

Our Mission

Garden Academy uses scientific, data-based and accountable interventions to provide an individualized education to students with autism so that they may lead lives of the greatest possible independence. We are committed to helping students develop skills necessary to realize their full educational potential and to become integral and functional members of the family and the community. Garden Academy provides: (a) a highly structured, intensive, outcome-oriented educational program for students diagnosed with autism; (b) professional training for all staff on an on-going basis; (c) parent training; and (d) transitional services for students moving into less restrictive environments, when appropriate. Garden Academy also promotes increased community awareness and understanding of autism, pervasive developmental disorders and appropriate interventions.

We are committed to:

• Providing a private special education school to educate individuals with autism ages 3-21.
• Using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
• Increasing awareness and educating the general public on autism.
• Supporting individuals who are training to enter the field of autism education.

Educational Program

Garden Academy is accredited to serve individuals with autism ages 3-21. Ours is a full-day (6 hours), full-year program. The model requires a 1:1 staff to student ratio in order to achieve an effective educational program for each student. Educational programs are individualized to address specific deficits in the areas of communication, socialization and adaptive behaviors. Emphasis is placed on language acquisition, social interaction, self-help skills, pre-academic and academic skills, play skills and on the decrease of maladaptive behaviors. All aspects of the program at Garden Academy derive from the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Pedagogical technologies employed include, but are not limited to, discrete trials, incidental teaching, video and audio modeling, shaping, scripting and script fading procedures and peer modeling. Generalization procedures are implemented as part of the program to ensure maintenance of skills across people and environments. We also provide hands-on, clinical training to staff professionals on an ongoing basis to ensure the best possible outcomes for each student. In addition, Garden Academy provides training support to parents and other family members so that skills learned in school can be generalized to the home and community. Garden Academy also recognizes the need for students to be in the least restrictive environment in which they can learn. When appropriate, we provide transitional support to our students throughout their educational careers.