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Realizing Children’s Strengths (RCS) Learning Center is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide the highest quality of individualized behavioral and educational services for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other developmental disabilities. We believe that every child has unique skills and we are dedicated to helping each child develop these skills and reach their full potential.
Learning Center accepts students of any race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or homelessness. Admitted students are afforded all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded, or made available, to students currently attending RCS Learning Center. RCS does not discriminate against students who qualify under the criteria of the school’s admissions policies in admission, administration of educational policies or in the delivery of programmatic and therapeutic services of any school administered program.
RCS Learning Center is committed to creating a school wide environment that exceeds the standards for teaching students with autism effectively. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the major treatment methodology, with an emphasis on the Verbal Behavior Model for teaching communication and language skills. Our team of expert clinicians works diligently to create individualized curriculum and teaching procedures that fit each child’s specific learning style. Initial programming is based on assessment, baseline, current information, data analysis, preferences, and learning history. We are committed to providing ongoing evaluation of curriculum and teaching procedures. Our evaluation occurs through direct observation, data collection and analysis. We also have weekly rotation meetings to ensure that all students receive the most effective programming possible. Instruction is provided across a variety of environments and therapists in order to promote generalization of skills. Our goal is for students to be able to apply skills from the school environment to home and community setting.
A summary of our programs and school history
RCS prides itself on our passionate and dedicated staff. Our intensive staffing and supervision structure are what enable us to provide comprehensive and individualized programming. Our individualized approach to autism education allows to meet every student’s unique needs. All students receive direct instruction from a team of behavior therapists to promote generalization across instructors. Behavior therapists hold a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree and complete extensive training in ABA prior to working with our students. Additionally each student receives direct instruction and oversight by a Special Education teacher. Our Special Education teachers hold current licenses from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and oversee groupings of 6 students. To ensure the highest quality of programming and services available for children with autism, every student at RCS receives oversight by a Clinician. Clinicians provide a minimum of 2 hours of consultation to each student’s case per week.
RCS Learning Center utilizes a consult-based model for Speech and Language services as well as Occupational Therapy. A consult-based model allows our staff to implement speech and language programming and occupational therapy programming throughout the entire school day. This approach provides natural opportunities to practice and utilize these skills arise. All students receive two hours of consultation by an Occupational Therapist and Speech and Language Pathologist per month.
Each RCS staff receives comprehensive training in Applied Behavior Analysis and effective autism education through Verbal Behavior, Behavior Management, Natural Environment Teaching, Curriculum Frameworks, Sign Language, and Crisis Management. Behavior therapists receive specialized training as part of their new employee professional development. Our team of clinicians all hold their License in Applied Behavior Analysis (LABA) from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board and receive ongoing training as well.
Parents of RCS Learning Center students are encouraged to attend monthly meetings with their child’s Clinician. These meetings are two hours in length and are scheduled at a date and time chosen by the parent and Clinician. The focus of these meetings is to discuss the child’s progress both within the school program as well as at home. This is an excellent time for parents to seek advice regarding specifics issues they may be encountering at home. The monthly meetings also help create consistent expectations across the school and home environments. Parents are also invited to observe their child during various activities and/or review their child’s data and work products. If you are unable to attend in person, we are happy to accommodate a phone conference as well.
