One for Autism Academy
TEA (Texas Education Agency) Certified
Non-Public Day school

Student Application

Elementary, Middle, and High School (3-21 years old)

The Day Treatment Program at One for Autism Academy offers structured, facility based educational and behavioral instruction to children ages 3-21 years old. This is a full day program operating from 8:30-3:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, year round and employs techniques of applied behavior analysis (ABA) to address the specific needs of each child, whether in the areas of language, social skills, academics, and functional living skills. We employ special education certified teachers, the teachers are highly trained in behavior analysis and employ educational techniques based on their continued staff development with our curriculum specialists.

One for Autism Academy 

One For Autism Academy academic services emphasize:

  • Coursework that meets district and state curriculum standards
  • Small classrooms with low student-to-staff ratios
  • Functional academics that relate to independent living skills
  • The opportunity to earn credits toward a high school diploma, when possible

                One for Autism Academy provides these services by tailoring each student’s academic services plan to his or her unique needs through academic assessments, Individual Education Programs (IEP), incidental teaching and Direct Instruction.

Academic Assessments and IEPs

                  To tailor educational instruction to each student’s special needs, One for Autism Academy first performs an academic skills assessment and then develops an IEP based on that assessment. Students demonstrate the self-help, social independent living and academic skills they use every day in different environments, and based on that, our team of experts develop student’s IEP goals. One for Autism Academy instructors and therapists collaborate with IEP teams, including public school representatives and families when developing IEP’s. Each student’s IEP is reviewed annually, and parents can request additional reviews at their convenience.

Incidental Teaching

                  Because students often learn best when they are presented with information in the environment where they will ultimately apply the information, One for Autism Academy professionals utilize the technique of incidental teaching, when appropriate, to instruct students with special needs. Incidental teaching provides instruction to students in the environment where they will ultimately apply the information. For instance, students practice their math lessons with monetary exchanges and learn about science by planting gardens. This help students improve their skills and generalize their learning beyond the classroom. 

Direct Instruction

                  Instructors utilize the Direct Instruction teaching model to assist students in their academic development. Using Direct Instruction, One For Autism Academy teachers tailor their instruction to student progress. Instructors help students accomplish incremental learning goals and students have many opportunities to practice new skills before advancing to the next element of instruction. This method provides clear instruction with many opportunities for intervention.

Needs Served

One for Autism Academy rely on results-driven approaches to design personalized programs for students with special needs. Guided by the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA), our schools and programs provides services to students with:

  • Autism spectrum disorders (ASD), including Asperger’s syndrome
  • Developmental disabilities or delays
  • Emotional disorders and disturbances
  • Pervasive developmental disorders
  • Behavioral challenges
  • Dual diagnosis
  • Other special needs

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), including Asperger’s Syndrome

                  One for Autism Academy autism program applies proven, research-based strategies in dedicated autism classrooms, which provide small highly structured settings perfect for implementing effective methods of instruction such as discrete trial training (DTT), incidental teaching, visual strategies and Pivotal Response Training. One for Autism Academy identifies measurable goals for tracking process in academic, personal and social skills development.

Developmental Disabilities or Delays

                  Students with developmental disabilities or delays benefit from strategies such as positive reinforcement, functional skill development, vocational assessments, naturalist teaching methods and chaining procedures to develop independent living skills and functional academics.

Emotional Disorders and Disturbances

                  One for Autism Academy provides specialized training for educating students who display aggression or destructive behavior, including those with separate diagnoses who exhibit challenging behavior. Our experts provide counseling, instruction and oversight for students tending toward elopement and self-injury. One for Autism Academy utilizes functional analysis assessments, behavior intervention plans, individualized programming, direct instruction, level system and problem-solving skills training for this population.

Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD)

                  As with its autism education program, One for Autism Academy provides instruction to students with Rett Syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder and other PDD challenges through effective methods of instruction such as discrete trial training(DTT), incidental teaching, visual strategies and Pivotal Response Training.

Students receive assistance through ABA and a variety of therapies such as adaptive physical education,  speech and occupational therapies.

Behavioral Challenges

Student with behavioral challenges benefit from positive behavior intervention and support, along with curriculum based measures to redirect destructive behavior and develop academic skills.

Dual Diagnosis

                One for Autism Academy applies proven approaches to address each student’s combination of special needs. We rely on research-proven methods such as applied behavior analysis, cognitive behavioral therapy and functional behavior assessment to assist students who struggle with psychiatric disorders in addition to their specific learning challenge.

Other Special Needs

                 For students with other academic, behavioral, psychiatric or physical challenges, One for Autism Academy can customize treatment and therapies based on individual needs.

Education and Behavior Plan Development

                  Upon acceptance One for Autism Academy, each child receives an individualized education and behavior management plan in collaboration with a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst). Goals and objectives are tailored to meet the specific needs of each child and target a variety of areas including language development, functional communication training, cognitive and executive functioning, social skills development, and daily living skills.

Instructional methods are based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), the science of human behavior, and utilize basic techniques such as reinforcement, shaping, and chaining.

All teaching is carried out in a small student to teacher ratio through both discrete trial and natural environment training. Opportunities for small group social interactions occur on a daily basis, as well.

Parent Involvement

                  At One for Autism Academy, we believe that consistency across school and home environments is key to sustaining our student’s progress and successful generalization of acquired skills. Therefore, we encourage parents to observe teaching sessions and to participate whenever possible. In addition, the school staff meets with parents on a quarterly basis to review program changes and progress for all learning objectives. Finally, the BCBA is also available to work with parents and their child in the school, home or community setting when more intensive or specific guidance and training is needed.

Integrated Curriculum

                  One for Autism Academy curriculum will integrate social, communication, sensory, organization and behavior instruction and support throughout the school day. All day, every day, our students will be immersed in an environment that helps them grow in social and communication skills. Throughout the day, we will implement a school-wide strategy of positive behavior supports.

Whether in math class or at recess, at lunch or simply walking down the hall, our children will be surrounded by trained people who use every interaction as an opportunity to help them advance in social and communication skills.

The curriculum will also focus on perspective, making connections, cognitive flexibility and the development of the imagination. Our teacher approaches will focus on inquiry as the way in which children construct meaning that is enduring and can be applied to multiple contexts. Our integrated curriculum will guide children in making connections across subjects.

Instructional Methods

                  All instruction and activities at One for Autism Academy are conducted in a manner consistent with science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). The science of ABA is currently the only proven intervention for children with autism.

Parent Communication

                  The One for Autism Academy believes that effective home-school communication is a critical element of student success. Our teachers will work in close cooperation with parents to ensure regular communication of important information and individual student progress. A communication schedule will be provided at the beginning of the year, detailing regular e-mails and parent meetings.

Detailed narrative progress reports will be sent quarterly. Communication between home and One for Autism Academy will be enhanced by the use of student communication folders. In addition, a parent newsletter will keep parents informed about school and class events.

 

Admissions Policy

                  The One for Autism Academy is an ideal educational program and learning environment to meet the unique needs of students on the Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Therefore, our program is most appropriate for students that exhibit all of the following characteristics:

Have differences and difficulties in the areas of socialization, executive functioning, organization, attention, social communication, and pragmatic language. Empower will serve students with challenges in these areas, such as social awkwardness; restricted or unusually intense interests or behavior; a typical speech and language usage; different sustaining conversations or friendships; and trouble successfully interacting in large group settings. This includes, but is not limited to, students with Asperger’s syndrome/ Autistic Spectrum Disorder and other developmental delays.

One for Autism Academy encourages applications from students of all backgrounds. Only by maintaining a diverse school community can we provide the richest possible learning experience for our students. One for Autism Academy applies all policies and procedures, including admissions, equally to all students and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, socio-economics status, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is One for Autism Academy?

One for Autism Academy is a small, innovative, therapeutic educational facility for children 2-21 years old diagnosed with autism or other developmental delays. One for Autism serves students from the San Antonio, surrounding cities, and International area such as Mexico, who are not currently acquiring language, social, and/or life skills in typical or special education classroom environments. One for Autism Academy is appropriate for students who have been successful previously in an intensive applied behavior analysis (ABA) curriculum, students who may benefit from one-to-one behavioral instruction and very small group learning environments, and students entering treatment for the first time. In addition to facility –based programs such as the day treatment program (intensive and transitional) and structured after-school program, One for Autism offers in-home education and treatment options as well through behavioral and workshop consultation services.

How do you teach at One for Autism Academy?

Our instructional program is designed to address the specific needs of each child, whether in the areas of language, social skills, academics or functional living skills. We employ applied behavioral techniques to teach across all skills areas. ABA is one scientifically validated methodology acknowledged by the U.S. Surgeon General to be effective with students with autism (Surgeon General’s Report on Mental health 1999). The academic curriculum is based on the Texas Standards for Public Schools.

Is every child who applies to One for Autism Academy accepted?

One for Autism receives more applications that it has slots to fill, so not all children who apply are able to enroll. The availability of the staff whose experience matches the child’s needs at the time of a vacancy to be filled is primary factor in admission decisions. One for Autism maintains a waiting list with active applications on file to fill vacancies as they arise.

Does One for Autism accommodate special diets and medication?

One for Autism accommodates medication schedules and special diets with signed consents from the child’s physician. Appropriate forms are available by request.

Where is the clinic?

One for Autism is located is centerally located in the San Antonio area.
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Why should I sent my child to One for Autism Academy?
* One for Autism Academy offers small student-teacher ratio and highly structured learning environment specifically designed to support children with autism and other developmental delays.
* At One for Autism Academy we work with each child individually using appropriate empirically supported curriculum and teaching methods to attain measurable objectives.
* One for Autism specialist, teachers and behavioral therapists are dedicated professionals with specific training in behavioral teaching methods including, discrete-trial teaching, incidental teaching, and verbal behavior repertories. The specialist are trained in the field of autism and provide the connecting pieces to the disability.
* We provide individualized behavioral support for each student.
* We recognize the need to program for learning across all environments.
* One for Autism performs functional assessments of behavior as often needed and frequent preference assessments to ensure our students are motivated to learn.
* One for Autism provides opportunities to have inclusive settings and positive experiences from the typical developing children.

Is transportation available to or from clinic?

One for Autism does not currently provide transportation. Parent carpools are the usual means of transportation. WE assist families in finding other families for carpool purposes when possible.

What if my child requires care after-school?

The after-school program at One for Autism Academy provides a safe, stimulating environment with excellent opportunities for socialization for the children. This program may include homework assistance, private therapy (OT, speech , music, behavioral) and much more. This program operates from 2:30pm – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, year-round.

How can parents participate at One for Autism Academy?

Parent education and involvement is considered a fundamental part of the program.

What is the enrollment period at One for Autism Academy?

One for Autism operates year-round, observing many of the holidays as local public schools.

Are you licensed by the state?

One for Autism is accrediated by the Texas Education Agency (TEA)