Vocational Program

The start of the Vocational Employment Program

On December 2, 2014, Bob Wido started his first day of employment at the Double Tree Hotel Downtown. Congratulation to Bob Wido to be the first of the Vocational Program to be employed at Double Tree.

This is Mr. Manny Garcia, the new Life Skills teacher at One for Autism Academy. I want everyone to know about a great opportunity for the young adult students. One for Autism is now partnering up with Double Tree Hotel right next to UTSA Downtown to help the students understand the workforce and the importance of having a job. We are going to start folding towels for the hotel by practicing here at school.  Next, we will be working on transitioning to the hotel and their working environment.  As time permits, the students will be working at the hotel as volunteers with work coaches (OFA Teachers and Therapist). If students excel, the general manager of the hotel will offer them a part-time employee position and receive a check for their work at the hotel.  This is just the beginning; the hotel has more than just folding towels. We will need parent support and approval as we move forward with our young adult students. It’s an exciting and challenging adventure. Thank you again for your continued support and commitment. Please contact the main office for more info 210-680-8737

Transition Education

                  OFA incorporates transition education when developing IEP’s for all transition-age students, generally 16 and older. Transition education helps each student set post-school goals and work toward individual career and life goals.

Vocational Services

At age 14, students begin preparing for independent living by working with teachers/coaches to identify strengths and vocational interests. One for Autism helps students prepare for independence in both their personal and work lives by providing on-site training as well as community integrated vocational programs. Through relationships with local businesses and organizations, One For Autism provides students with opportunities to work and gain on-site experience working with skilled, special needs students.

Workability Program

                  One For Autism Academy provides eligible students with access to the Workability program services, including vocational assessments, career counseling and guidance, and career exploration activities. Through the program, students who are identified for paid work training learn skills related to resume writing, interviewing, and finding and keeping a job. They also receive on-site training and supervision from professional job coaches and teachers.

Life Skills Training

                  One for Autism Academy places a strong emphasis on teaching students the necessary life skills to work, socialize, remain safe, care for their personal needs and lead the most independent lives possible. Relying on the methods of behavior analysis, One For Autism Academy focuses on the most effective strategies for teaching skills to each student’s optimal level of independence. These strategies include shaping, chaining, discrete trial and naturalistic teaching procedures.

                  We help students gain self-confidence and greater independence by working closely with families and schools to find approaches that work for students.

                  One for Autism Academy uses educational assessments paired with care provider and student input to develop educational programs tailored to the student’s most pressing needs. For students requiring behavioral intervention, One for Autism Academy conducts functional analysis assessments to develop positive behavior intervention plans based on the function of behavior that are tailored to meet the needs of each student.

Daily Living Skills

Daily living skills are an important part of each’s student’s education. As part of our daily living skills curriculum students learn about:

• Time management
• Personal hygiene
• Food preparation
• Personal finance and money management
• Transportation solutions
• Household management
• Responsible decision-making
• Civic responsibility
• Personal organization
• Recreation and leisure skills.

 

One for Autism Vocational Program of Fox 29 Street Corner

The Start of the Program

(Click on the picture to see it full size)

      

Kaplan College Students helping out 

Touring Double Tree Hotel

First Day of Volunteer Work

       

 

Second Day Volunteer Day with Ms. Olga

   

 

Hotel on July 31, 2014

 

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Hotel on August 7, 2014

8/14/2014 at the Hotel

 

August 21, 2014 with Ms. Anel

 

August 28, 2014 at the hotel

 

 

 September 4, 2014

 

 

September 12, 2014