Programming

At our organization, we build and tailor our program and service offerings to meet the unique needs of each student. Our personalized approach encompasses academic and clinical support, incorporating evidence-based practices and innovative strategies. With collaboration from contracted local education agencies, our curriculum aligns with standards, covering essential subjects while integrating specialized areas like social skills, functional life skills, and community-based instruction. Our comprehensive range of therapies, including Applied Behavior Analysis and speech therapy, is grounded in cutting-edge research. Through close collaboration with families, we create a supportive environment that empowers students to thrive and achieve their fullest potential.

Our comprehensive Kindergarten through 12th grade programs are designed with the unique needs of students with special education requirements in mind. We align our curriculum with state-approved Special Education standards and adopt curriculum approved by reputable educational institutions, including local education agencies such as Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) and Antelope Valley Union High School District. Our curriculum covers fundamental subjects like reading, writing, language arts, social studies, science, and math. In addition, our transition program encompasses a range of essential components, including social skills development, community-based instruction, functional skills training, transition planning, and career preparation.

At the Academy for the Advancement of Children with Autism we offer adaptive physical education for children in need of these services. Adaptive physical education utilizes a wide range of multi-sensory equipment selected to "entice" participation and develop play skills. Successful teaching strategies focus on facilitating communication and transitioning between activities.

Our staff is fully credentialed and has many years of experience working with children that have a variety of disabilities. We offer within group sessions as well as individual and private sessions.

Regional Center Vendor

Vendor#PL0757 Code 605

AACA’s Adaptive Skills Trainer program focuses on practical, everyday skills needed to function and meet the individual demands of one's environment. Adaptive Skills Training is a program for individuals with special needs and developmental disabilities to support, mentor and teach skills with the goal of increasing independence. AACA’s design offers one-to-one direct instruction in the home and community settings, with supervision and consultation to enhance the diverse needs of our students.

Areas of Adaptive Skills

Self-Care

Communication Skills

Self-Direction

Social Skills

Leisure Skills

Home or School Living

Functional Academics

Community Use

Work

Health and Safety

For more information email Melissa - mnishimoto@autismacademy.org

Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) originates from the behavioral school of psychology of B. F. Skinner. It was developed as a treatment modality for autism by California researcher Dr. O. Ivar Lovaas more than 25 years ago and is still one of the most widely adapted forms of early-intervention therapy for young autistic children.

While typical children learn from the environment and through emulation, it is believed that children with autism must be taught language, play, and social skills in a highly structured environment. ABA is loosely based on the concept that behavior rewarded is more likely to be repeated than behavior ignored. Through positive reinforcement the child is helped to develop language; a variety of appropriate behaviors and responses; and personal care, play, and educational skills.

Children in ABA therapy usually work one-on-one with a team of ABA-trained therapists for 30 to 40 hours a week. The approach, involving what is called discrete trials, consists of tasks the child is requested to perform broken down into specific acts. Correct and appropriate responses from the child are rewarded by the therapist. Early success may simply be the child having eye contact with the therapist after being instructed to “look at me.” Over time, the child progresses through many different programs, each teaching one specific behavior or skill based on typical child development. Parents and caregivers are considered part of the therapeutic team. They help the child practice in natural settings the skills learned through ABA so that they become generalized in daily life.

Within the framework of “Positive Programming, ”AACA offers behavioral services to parents, schools, and regional centers. AACA also offers both Discrete Trial Training (DTT) and Floor Time Therapy. Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS) are also available.

General intervention programs include Applied Behavior Analysis, Parent Education Training, Care Provider Training, Functional Behavior Analysis, Behavior Support Plans, Functional Analysis Assessments, Behavior Intervention Plans, and Consultation/Implementation with school district personnel and parents. The emphasis is on developing a range of techniques in the parent’s, caregiver’s and teacher’s skills sets so they can continue to be effective in maintaining desirable behavior change in the child and generalize their skills to address new problem behaviors if and when they arise.

The goal of this service is to teach the underlying behavioral principles tat promote and effect behavior change. This is accomplished by systematically teaching new skills that are socially significant, while decreasing or eliminating behavior excesses that interfere with learning.

We at AACA are unique with these services as we offer them in the classroom as well as in the home setting.

Our therapists are all highly trained in these techniques and well supervised by master’s degree or higher supervisors. All staff providing these services undergo rigorous training and attend weekly meetings to ensure the best ABA services available.

This treatment modality is used to improve fine and gross motor skills. Our occupational therapists design a specific plan to meet each child’s individual needs and challenges. Our Occupational therapists will be integrating strategies with the entire staff to further enhance all of our students educational programs. Students may also be seen individually and in small groups. Occupational therapy services may be provided by direct, consult, or collaborative methods. Occupational therapy locations will vary and may be in the therapy gym, classroom, or any number of different settings on campus. Many of your child’s functional and sensorimotor activities will be specifically chosen so they can be continued outside school as well. Family involvement will be encouraged to help your child move from skill acquisition to generalization and, eventually, mastery of new concepts.

The Academy offers school based physical therapy (PT) by a California State licensed therapist. School based PT is designed to assist the student in being able to successfully ambulate around the campus and in the classroom so that the student is better able to access the curriculum and participate in campus activities. The Physical therapist works in tandem with the Occupational therapist and the adaptive physical education specialist to ensure that the student is receiving treatment which reflects the professional input of the entire team discharged with the responsibility of overseeing the physical and sensory needs of all the AACA students.

The Academy for the Advancement of Children with Autism exists not only to assess and address psycho-educational challenges, but we can help you and your child on the road to emotional recovery as well. We have licensed psychologists and therapists on staff that are very well trained in many modalities of counseling and social skills training. We work with both children and adults helping them find answers and leading them down the path to social and emotional well-being.

AACA offers workshops for parents to help them understand and implement techniques utilized at school in order to help with generalization of these skills in the home and community.

AACA views their clients as individuals who are living within a complex network of interconnected systems, which include the individual, family, peers, school, and community. When a person is suffering either on an academic or social emotional level, intervention may be necessary in any one, or a combination of these systems. At AACA, we are committed to meeting client’s needs on ALL levels.

Very often, parents who are in the process of obtaining school-based services for their child are in need of social emotional therapy as well. Being a parent of a family member who has a disability can be exhausting and emotionally draining. Additionally, trying to cope with a family member who is acting out as a result of academic or emotional challenges can cause tremendous strain, tension, and anxiety for a family. Parents may find themselves feeling short-tempered, overwhelmed, frustrated, and exhausted. Additionally, when there is more than one sibling in the home, parents may see additional “acting out” behaviors as they attempt to cope with these challenges. The siblings who are not the immediate focus of their parents’ attention may experience feelings of isolation and inadequacy.

Our outstanding Speech and Language Pathologists have years of clinical and school-based experience working with children experiencing difficulties with different aspects of their speech and communication. They incorporate the latest, proven techniques when working with your child to achieve the highest degree of progress and success. Speech and Language services are offered within the classroom setting as well as in small groups and individually.

Not only do we offer Speech for AACA students, but we allow children from outside schools and school districts as well as private individuals to take advantage of these fantastic services.