Services
The STEPS Center was developed to meet the needs of children diagnosed on the autism spectrum and related developmental delays ages 2-18 in a center-based program. This allows for intense instruction with a focus on language and communication, as well as academics. Our program also addresses motor skills, social and play skills, receptive language skills, imitation skills, and small and large group responding. In addition, behavior modification programs are designed to increase functional behaviors. When a child is ready to begin the inclusion process, they are transitioned into the STEPS/Academy of St. Adalbert partnership program.
The mission of the STEPS/Academy of St. Adalbert partnership is to incorporate individual learning styles into the traditional educational setting, utilizing innovative approaches including differentiated instruction, co-teaching and building on passions through ongoing collaborations.
Through assessment, observation and interviews, the children are placed in the following programs:
Program: Reach
- Intensive intervention at the STEPS Center located in Strongsville
- Development of language skills, imitation skills and decreasing any maladaptive behaviors that are impeding learning
- At this level the child learns how to engage with others and also learns skills that are the basis for any type of group instruction, including attending and group responding skills
- Speech Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Social Skills Training
Program: Soar
- Primarily group instruction using 1:3 instructor/child ratio
- Children at this level are transitioned into the Soar classroom at the Strongsville Clinic.
- In this setting they receive small group instruction for academics, social skills and higher level language skills
- The goal at this level is to increase inclusive experiences and increase skills that are being taught in the larger group setting
- When the children are learning and maintaining skills in the typical classroom and are demonstrating generalization of language and social skills with peers, they begin transitioning to the Attain Program.
Program: Attain
- Children at this level are fully included into the traditional classroom setting at the Academy of St. Adalbert with the support of an Inclusion Specialist that helps to facilitate social interactions, assists the child in maintaining appropriate behaviors and provides academic support as needed up to 4 hours per day
- The highly trained Inclusion Specialists teach the child how to learn in a large group setting and how to incorporate tools that could help facilitate successful inclusion
- Speech Therapy/Occupational Therapy services are delivered based on IEP
- Social skills are targeted through structured Social/Emotional Groups
Program: Achieve
- Full inclusion without Inclusion Specialist support at the Academy of St. Adalbert
- Behavioral consulting up to 4 hours per month
- Structured Social/Emotional Groups
- Speech Therapy/Occupational Therapy as outlined in the IEP
