Family Support Services
Building Your Family
The Turning Pointe Autism Foundation is dedicated to supporting the families and individuals living and learning with Autism. We currently run a successful Therapeutic Day school that supports students impacted by Autism, who require a highly organized structured environment that is specifically designed to support their needs. We recognize the complex needs of individuals whose behavior profile has limited their access to the general education setting and the community. Individuals with limited or no verbal language often develop coping strategies and behaviors that restrict their access to a variety of settings, cause significant stress to families and can result on aggressive and disruptive, self–stimulatory behaviors. As a result families feel helpless and end up adjusting their life style, movements, community outings and social involvement to avoid disruptive situations. Schools trying to find solutions in general education settings often cannot meet the specific needs of the student.
We designed our program to specifically meet the profile of an individual and his/her family.
We can design individualized programs in calm, quiet and organized settings that over time will lead to a less restrictive environment. Our goal is increased access to family life, less restrictive access to the community and if possible access to the general education setting.
We do not claim to do it all, but we do, program and support those families and individuals who want to learn, want to develop life long self-help skills, manage their behavior so it does not result in so much disruption and pursue a higher quality of life.
The Turning Pointe Program is called COPES™. It is a real life approach and a combination of the following best practice models.We promote constant reciprocal communication and emotional support. Our students understand that despite the impact of Autism on their sensory system, their ability to speak, their ability to motor plan and execute seemingly mundane motor tasks, we KNOW, BELIEVE and ASSUME despite any behavior to the contrary that there is a bright, social individual behind the veil of Autism.
We show this belief in the respectful interaction with our students and their constant access to communication. We teach age appropriate academics and life skills, while acknowledging the emotional impact of Autism in an empathic, considerate manner.What our families are saying:
- “At Turning Pointe, we have found a setting that can take the time to listen to our son and teach him. Turning Pointe not only provides him with a rich and full curriculum, but is also teaching him those life skills so he can meet his potential. This total education provides us comfort knowing that he is being prepared for an independent adulthood.”
- “Since our son has been a student at Turning Pointe, we have seen his smile return. He is calm, happy and willing to learn. He has been better able to regulate his body and emotions. It is without a doubt that the team at Turning Pointe has been the difference in his life.”
