Eden Autism Services

I could not imagine raising my son with autism during the 1970’s, 80’s or even the 1990’s.  Twenty years from now parents raising a child with autism will be saying the same thing about parents having to raise a child during the beginning of the century in comparison to 2030.  As years and decades pass the level of therapy and education programs available to families raising a child with autism has greatly improved. During the 1970’s and 80’s a parent would be hard pressed to find a school district willing to build their curriculum specific to the needs of a student with autism.  During the 1990’s, specifically toward the end of that decade, curriculums for special education students started to shift as the number of students with autism entering public schools continued to climb, and the requirement for schools to develop Individualized Education Plan (IEP).   

 Today, it has become the norm in a lot of school districts to observe various evidence based practices and techniques being used, such as, Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and TEACCH.  There are various other evidence based programs and more that are in development.  With the increase of our dependence on technology various computer programs and Apps have been developed to help teachers and therapists assist their students with math, reading, speech, and gross and fine motor skills.   As this mass population of children on the autism spectrum get older and move into adulthood there will be a greater need for resources to continue the therapy they are receiving, but also to assist with employment and residential placement.

One company that has grown with the autism population as it has gotten older is Eden Autism Services.  What started in 1975 as a family-oriented school for individuals with autism has became a multi faceted service provider for those living in New Jersey and Florida.  The Eden Institute provides school services to individuals on the spectrum from age 3 to 21 and teaching techniques are based on ABA.  The Eden Institute also provides speech and occupational therapy as well as adaptive physical education.

For those transitioning from school age to adult, Eden provides adult residential and employment services.  Eden offers 24 hour residential support and serves 5 to 7 adults with autism at their group homes.   They also operate an employment training center in New Jersey where adults are taught skills with the goal of joining center-based, supportive or competitive employment. Center-based employment consist of clients staying at an Eden Center and working on sub-contract mailings or assembly line work, and with supported employment clients work in the community under the supervision of an Eden job coach.  Competitive employment allows clients who have demonstrated the ability to work independently with minimal supervision to work in the community, and are dropped off and picked-up daily. 

Eden also offers several other services, such as, evaluation, consultation, training and workshops, assessment and curriculum series, and in-home services.  Thanks Eden Autism Services for nearly 40 years of serving children and adults with autism.  Your dedication and commitment to this population is greatly appreciated.

To learn more about Eden Autism Services or to donate to their organization you can click on the following link:  http://edenautism.org/wordpress2/