Autism Schools in Pennsylvania
The Comprehensive Learning Center, Pathway School, and Vista School
Aug 16, 2009
Although many public school systems in the nation have fantastic autism programs, some parents may find that a private school is better suited to meet the educational needs of their children on the autism spectrum. Parents in one northeastern state are lucky; there are several autism schools in Pennsylvania.
The Comprehensive Learning Center
Founded in 2000, The Comprehensive Learning Center (CLC) is a non-profit corporation that educates children with autism in Berks, Bucks, Chester, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. The school is located in Southampton, PA and uses Applied Behavior Analysis as the basis of its education model.
Understanding that autism is a lifelong condition, the school provides services that begin with the preschool program and extend through the adult life-skills program. The preschool program serves children aged three to five with a one-to-one teacher to student ratio during its full-day program.
The elementary school program at CLC educates children between the ages of six and 14 in a one-to-one or one-to-two teacher to student ratio. The secondary school program includes individuals between 15 and 21 years of age. Vocational skills becoming increasingly important as these teenagers near adulthood and obtaining these skills becomes one of the primary focuses of CLC. Students in the secondary school program receive instruction in a one-to-one to a one-to-three teacher to student ratio.
For more information about The Comprehensive Learning Center, contact the school at (215) 322-7852.
The Pathway School
The Pathway School was established in 1961 and offers both day and residential programs. Although the school’s population includes individuals on the autism spectrum, the school is not dedicated solely to educating children with autism. The school also meets the educational needs of children with ADHD, learning disorders, and cognitive delays.
At the start of the 2009-2010 school year, there were 135 students in the schools elementary, middle, and secondary school programs. “Each year 10-25 students graduate and receive their high school diploma. Specialized programs include basic life skill instruction for students who function at lower cognitive levels and a unique career education program that prepares students for transition into the working world or higher education.” Source: The Pathway School
For information on The Pathway School’s day or residential programs, call the school at (610) 277-0660.
The Vista School
Hershey, Pennsylvania is home to The Vista School. In 2002, a group of parents and professionals joined forces to open this school to help better meet the educational needs of autistic children in the area.
Programs at The Vista School begin with pre-kindergarten and end at the 12th grade. The school accepts public school placements and also offers a limited amount of scholarships. The school only educates children with a primary diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder that do not need skilled nursing care. For admissions information, contact The Vista School at (717) 835-0310.
In addition to these three educational institutions, there are many other autism schools in Pennsylvania. To obtain a complete list of autism schools in the state, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Education at (717) 783-6788.
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