Mission

The mission of SFACS is to provide education and services to individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) residing in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. We target students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder who have communication deficits and/or behavioral challenges, and who may require training in self-help skills. The methodologies of Applied Behavioral Analysis are applied in conjunction with Florida Sunshine State standards for students on a modified curriculum in order to provide the most effective individualized educational programs possible.

Grade Levels / Capacity:

Statistics

In the first year of operations, SFACS students achieved the following:

Communication Skills:

•  60% of our student body came to SFACS with NO communication skills.  Of this group, 75% acquired communication skills.  The 25% that did not acquire communication skills, experienced increased independent living skills.
•  40% of our student body came to SFACS with prior communication skills.  Of this group, 47% acquired spontaneous verbal skills.

Self-Help Skills:

•  Students are placed on programs for Self-Help Skills when they are determined to be cognitively ready and parents agree to collaborate with the school.
• 15% of our student body was placed on a toilet training program.  Of this group, 14% made significant progress.
• 8% of the student body was placed on a personal hygiene program.  Of this group, all  made significant progress.

Behavior:

• 100% of the student body began the school year with behavioral issues.
• While all students have made significant progress, 70% successfully replaced their inappropriate behaviors with more appropriate ones.

Success Stories:

• Our primary goal is to provide students with autism with a learning environment that is best suited to their disability.  All students are thriving, and this is supported by our data, as well as parent reports of generalization of skills learned in the classroom to the home environment.
• Our secondary goal is to assist students in mainstreaming to a less restrictive environment once they have demonstrated adequate progress.  We are proud to state that 10% of our student body successfully achieved this goal during the 2009 -2010 school year.