ABLE: Autism Spectrum Behavioral Learning Environment
Gibaults' Autism Spectrum Behavioral Learning Environment (ABLE) program offers a broad continuum of services to children and families of children diagnosed with high functioning Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, and Asperger's syndrome. The ABLE program will provide one to one supervision in a semi-secure residential environment for males ages 8-18. The goal of the program is to successfully reintegrate each student back into his community, home and school by improving his quality of life making him as independent as possible. In order to achieve this goal, the program will teach life skills that children need to become active members of society.
The ABLE program is equipped to provide special education and residential programming, as well as psychological and therapeutic services, as needed. In order to improve the child's academic, social and emotional ability, the ABLE program will help him communicate within his world to achieve his fullest potential.
The IEP (Individual Education Plan) will be developed at the initial case conference and revised every six months. Each student will be placed on direct supervision during awake hours to begin their placement with intent to slowly reduce the amount of direct supervision as they demonstrate progress towards their IEP goals. Each student will also begin their placement in a self-contained special education classroom, unless otherwise determined at the initial case conference. Students will slowly be integrated into the regular classrooms as he demonstrates progress towards their IEP goals. Numerous other issues will be addressed in the student's IEP such as establishing a Behavioral Modification Plan, residential and academic goals, social skill training, Independent Living Program, home visits, and daily/weekly schedules.
Gibault Inc will continue to require the current admission information from agencies for admission, and will add the following specific requirements: All students referred for admission into ABLE will have a 30-minute video submitted by the placing agency. The video will present the student in both the classroom and home environment. If agencies are unable to submit a video, Gibault Inc staff will conduct a possible school/home visit. Parents and agencies will be required to agree to case conference participating at admission, six-month intervals, and any and all case conferences. Agencies and parents will be encouraged to participate in weekly staffing.
Clients involved in the ABLE program are exposed to a variety of programs and services designed to meet their individual needs. The following services are available: