Careers | Site Map | Privacy Policy

According to the Center for Disease Control's Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network (ADDM), one in 150 children in the United States carry an autism spectrum disorder (as of 2007). Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) include: autism, pervasive developmental disorder NOS, Asperger's syndrome, Rett syndrome, and childhood disintegrative disorder.

While the causes of autism are currently under exploration, the disability significantly impacts the ability to learn language, social interactions, sensory function and adaptive behaviors.

Autism Spectrum Developmental Services

We have a team of professionals from the fields of psychiatry, behavior analysis, nursing and education that form the autism spectrum developmental services (ASDS) team.

While the ASDS program serves individuals diagnosed with Deafness and autism, we also serve those with normal hearing who may struggle with a significant communication disorder and could benefit from learning and living in a Deaf and signing environment.

Why National Deaf Academy

As a residential treatment center with a large psychiatric, medical, educational and direct-care staff, NDA is able to provide a continuum of care not easily found elsewhere. Here are a few of the unique factors that contribute to the success of our residents:

• Individualized Treatment Plans: Each individual's treatment plan is tailored to suit their unique constellation of symptoms and capitalizes on their strengths. Individual programming is provided in the areas of socialization, communication, emotional regulation, daily living skills and self-help skills.
• Strategies: The ASDS team implements applied behavior analysis, skill acquisition training, and manding (asking) for items using signs, voice, picture support and technology as applicable. The staff is also trained in and practices the Social Communication, Emotional Regulation and Transactional Support (SCERTS) model.
• One-to-One Staffing: Most of the individuals participating in the ASDS program at NDA have their own dedicated one-to-one staff member working with them during all waking hours. All staff members working with this unique population undergo intensive training in order to better steer our patients toward independence.
• Education: National Deaf Academy works alongside our educational program, the Charter School at National Deaf Academy (CSNDA), to share curriculum, behavior programs, data collection and tracking responsibilities.

Therapeutically Infused Education

Like all CSNDA students, each special needs/autistic student has an individualized education plan (IEP). These plans are implemented in a classroom that maintains an almost one-to-one ratio where students work together in small groups of two or three.

The daily routine is highly regimented to help students with an autism spectrum disorder develop social interactions and learn to self-manage during times of transition. Students are taught using a variety of methods to maximize their communication, sensory integration and socialization using hands-on activities. Within the classroom, students have the support of a speech/language pathologist, occupational therapist and physical therapist as mandated by their individual education plan.

Recreation

Educational and therapeutic activities are designed to stimulate the senses. The NDA activity center and gymnasium has one room for multiple sensory experiences and another for play therapy. In the sensory room, groups of two are able to explore lights, sounds, textures and cause-effect toys with little to no outside stimulation. There are activities designed to stimulate proprioception (the awareness of the position of different parts of the body) and vestibular (balance) movement such as bean bags, trampolines and musical mats.

NDA provides recreational therapy for patients seven days a week. Activities are designed to be developmentally appropriate and to stimulate physical engagement, creativity and teamwork. In addition to recreational activities on campus, opportunities are provided for outings to shopping centers, parks and restaurants as behaviors permit.

If you have any questions about our autism spectrum developmental services or wish to make a referral to this unique and innovative program, please contact the Admissions office at 352-385-3018.