For Children Ages 18 Months through High School with Autism Spectrum Disorders

HOPE is AHRC’s Continuum of services for children who have been diagnosed with  an autistic spectrum disorder and range in age from 18 months through school age.

•         Each child is taught with the understanding that acquisition of skills is not isolated occurrences nor are they dependent upon a particular setting. We endorse an Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) approach that promotes and encourages incidental learning and spontaneity. In this vein, we educate the “whole child” and take into account the child’s prior experiences, his temperament, his tolerance or frustration level, and overall functional abilities.
 

•         AHRC is committed to capturing the limited window of opportunity that exists during the most critical stages of a child’s life – the developmental years from birth to five. The concept is reinforced in a school age program that emphasizes functional academics, socialization skills and appropriate behaviors.
 

•         AHRC recognizes, fosters and applauds family involvement in their child’s program. It is only when parents and professionals collaborate in a team approach that true success and generalization is possible.
 

•         AHRC are experts in their field. They are licensed and/or certified professionals. AHRC provides services for children in the home, at an early intervention center, in a preschool, in the Elementary school and the Middle High School. 
 

All of AHRC’s schools operate programs which provide services for students diagnosed with ASD. Services are provided in the home, in an early intervention developmental group, in early learning centers that specialize in educating preschoolers,  in community-based settings with SEIT (Special Education Itinerant Teacher services) and in our  Elementary School and Middle/High School. Depending upon the needs of an individual child, and with appropriate governmental agency approval and recommendations, families may choose one, or a combination of these service options

Methodologies Used in All Programs

Utilizing the ABA approach in all our preschool services, children who have been diagnosed early in life, receive intensive behavioral programming and often show significant progress during the first two years of intervention.

Classes are small, children may attend up to 5 days a week or as authorized by the Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP) meeting; there is a high staff /student ratio with a special educator in each class.

Depending on the IFSP, parents schedule, and staff availability, children may receive home based early intervention services in conjunction with the center based programs or as a stand-alone option; services provided are those recommended in the IFSP.

In both the Center Based and Home Based Early Intervention Services, child study conferences are scheduled monthly. This gives families and all professional staff working with a child an opportunity to review a child’s program, make changes, discuss concerns and coordinate efforts.

After families have received the appropriate governmental recommendations and approval for services, they may choose one or AHRC’s HOPE early learning centers that specialize in Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Classes are small; children may attend 5 days per week for 5 ½ hours a day; there is a high staff/student ratio. Services provided are as per a child’s IEP and may include recommended therapies (i.e. Speech, Physical, Occupational therapies and Counseling).

Early Learning Centers are located in Manhattan, the Bronx and Brooklyn:

·        Esther Ashkenas/Central Park Early Learning Center
15 West 65 Street, New York, NY 212-787-5400

·        Howard Haber Early Learning Center
2300 Westchester Avenue, Bronx, NY 718-4091450

·        Francis of Paola Early Learning Center
201 Conselyea Street, Brooklyn, NY 718-782-1462

After families have received the appropriate governmental recommendations and approval for non-public school placement, parents may choose AHRC’s Blue Feather Elementary School for their child, an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This school is funded by the New York State Department of Education and, in New York City, operates with the approval of and under the oversight of the New York City Department of Education.

The elementary school is ideally located along the border of Sheepshead Bay and Marine Park in beautiful Gerritsen Beach Brooklyn. The school accepts children who reside in all NYC boroughs.

Brooklyn Blue Feather Elementary School
2335 Gerritsen Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11229
718-834-0597

The Brooklyn Blue Feather Elementary School accepts children between 5 and 12 years of age. Children must exhibit behavioral characteristics associated with autism and must have an educational classification of autism. Children must be referred by the Committee on Special Education (CSE) and must be recommended for a Non-Public School (NPS) placement.

Specialized Programming (ABA) Applied Behavior Analysis; (PECS) Picture Exchange Communication System; (TEACCH) Treatment and Education of Autistic and other related Communication handicapped Children; Sign Language; AAC Devices/Communication Devices, Dance/Creative Movement, Drama & Sensory Integration. All of these services follow the NYS Learning Standards.

Classes are small with a maximum of 8 children in each class; children attend 5 days per week for 6 hours per day; there is a high staff/student ratio (8:1:4, 8:1:1, & 8:1:2); services are provided as per a child’s IEP.

A program that provides services to adolescents and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders, and those classified with emotional disturbances, multiple disabilities, or other health impairments. Various approaches are utilized depending upon each student’s needs, i.e.,  TEACCH,  Applied Behavior Analysis, (PECS) Picture Exchange Communication System, Sign Language; AAC Devices/Communication Devices, Dance/Creative Movement, Drama & Sensory Integration services. All of these services follow the NYS Learning Standards.  The AHRC Middle/ High School can accept children between 13 and 21 years of age (ratios include 8:1:2, 10:1:2), following NYS Learning Standards. The Central Based Support Team (CBST) must refer children, and a Non-Public School (NPS) placement letter is required.

This school is funded by the New York State Department of Education and, in New York City, operates with the approval of and under the oversight of the New York City Department of Education.

The Middle/High School is ideally located in residential Dyker Heights along the border of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.  The school accepts children who reside in all NYC boroughs.

AHRC MIDDLE/ HIGH SCHOOL
1201 66th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11219
718-259-4389

• About AHRC NYC Education Services
• Evaluations for Early Intervention and Preschools
• Early Intervention Service Coordination
• Early Intervention Home & Center Based Programs
• Preschools for Children 3-5 Years
• Autism Spectrum Disorders Services - HOPE Continuum
• Brooklyn Blue Feather Elementary School
• AHRC Middle/High School