Eden Institute
Eden’s founding program, provides year round educational services for children and adolescents with autism, ages 3-21.
Teaching techniques are based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and each student's curriculum is tailored to his or her specific needs and abilities and based on individual, annual assessments.
The student-teacher ratio at Eden Institute ranges from 1:1 to 3:1 and is determined by each student's learning style and skills. Classroom instruction is provided in 1:1, 2:1 and small group sessions. Students are also offered opportunities for integration into less restrictive settings at all age levels, when appropriate.
Services:
Classroom Programming
Each of the five programs is staffed by one or more certified teachers of the handicapped, as well as one to five teaching assistants, depending upon the current number of students enrolled. Ancillary staff includes certified speech pathologists, adaptive physical education teachers and school nurses.
Students are placed in and progress through the Eden Institute programs according to age and skill level. At the start of the school year, each student's Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) is reviewed and revised, in cooperation with parents and school district child study teams, to incorporate specific and individual program goals for the year ahead.
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The Early Childhood Program focuses on basic self-care and learning readiness skills, as well as language development and pre-academics, with the ultimate goal of preparing the child for all later learning. The Middle Childhood Program is an extension of this individualized instruction, continuing pre-academics and language development and expanding the child's learning into pre-vocational skills and beginning independent living skills.
For students who can benefit from a small, self-contained classroom, Eden's Transition Program is available after completion of Middle Childhood. Here, independent work is supplemented by small group instruction in academic, language and pre-vocational skills, as well as social interaction.
The Pre-Vocational and Vocational Preparation Programs provide learning experiences ranging from basic communication, daily living and work preparation skills, to functional academics, clerical skills and community-based work/study programs.
Supplemental Programming
The following supplemental services are provided to Eden Institute students in conjunction with or in addition to their classroom programs:
The Speech, Language and Communication Program helps students develop individualized, pragmatic communication skills through the use of verbal language, sign language, simultaneous communication (pairing verbal and sign language) or augmentative communication systems. The latter include picture books, language boards and a variety of computerized devices with voice output.
The Adaptive Physical Education Program enhances students' sensorimotor integration through controlled sensory input and various motor activities. Older students participate in aerobic exercise and a variety of sports activities, including both summer and winter Special Olympics events.
An After-School Program extends the day-school curriculum by providing constructive educational and recreational activities for Eden students during the hours between the end of the school day and the standard workday. Seasonal arts and crafts, music, sports and community outings are all part of the activity roster.
Community Involvement
Students in all programs participate in frequent community experiences. Tailored to age level, these provide real-life opportunities to practice, develop and reinforce a variety of important social skills. Outings range from short day trips to overnight excursions.
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Locally, for example, students visit parks or indoor play areas for recreational outings, while visits to grocery stores, take-out restaurants, the post office or a drugstore provide practical types of community interactions. Longer travels may be to the Jersey Shore, Baltimore's Inner Harbor, Williamsburg or other such destinations that offer a good combination of learning and fun!
Eden Institute students also participate in community activities that combine learning and giving. Preparing a Thanksgiving luncheon for residents of a local nursing home, collecting canned goods for a holiday food drive and making Valentines for patients at a nearby medical center are among the ways Eden students learn to contribute to their communities.
Family Services
Eden offers a Parent and Family Support Program designed to educate and assist families through parent training, home visits and support groups. Initial training for new families provides an overview of Eden's curriculum so that parents can continue the curriculum at home. Lectures and workshops on a variety of topics pick up where training leaves off, addressing issues of particular interest and significance to families of children with autism.
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For home support, trained Eden staff are assigned to families as consultants, meeting monthly or as needed in the home to establish effective routines and work on specific, mutually agreed-upon goals. School visits for parents, siblings and members of the child's extended family are scheduled throughout the year, and parent and sibling support groups are also offered.
Intended as a "break" for families, the Respite Program sends a trained Eden therapist into the home for a specified number of hours each month. Respite gives parents time to run errands, schedule appointments and focus on their other children or, perhaps, simply the chance for a night out. As part of the Respite Program, individual goals are established to guide each family in learning to live effectively with a child who has autism.
An Emergency Family Support Program is similar to respite, but provided on a short-term, immediate need basis. Essentially "crisis respite," this program steps in to provide the necessary care for an Eden student when his or her parents face a family emergency.
Extended School Year Programs
Eden believes that it is essential for students with autism to continue their curriculum and skill development year-round. To this end, Eden offers day programming to extend the school year into the summer months, as well as a residential program for students who are old enough to spend one or more weeks away from home.
» Read more about: Extended School Year Programs
The Extended School Year Day Program is an seven-week session during which students continue to address the goals specified in their IEP. Swimming lessons are also provided, along with other summertime community and recreational activities.
The Extended School Year Residential Program offers students a multi-week experience. During their time at the Retreat Center, students focus on maintaining and developing the pre-academic, academic, speech and language and self-care skills that are part of their day program back home, while also pursuing such activities as swimming, hiking, nature walks and even marshmallow roasts around the campfire! Students are supervised at all times by a staff of certified special education teachers and teaching assistants; lifeguards and registered nurses are also on duty.
planned
Planned services