Step-Up is an intensive year round, full day, educational alternative for school districts serving children on the autism spectrum who are unsuccessful in their current school placement due to behavioral concerns.

The program is designed to enable students to increase communication, social skills, functional academics, and functional living skills while developing acceptable behaviors so they may participate more fully in family interaction and community.

The goal of the program is to provide each student with the tools to transition back to their community school district.

The program is located on the Stepping Stones campus, a serene, park like setting with hiking trails.  The students are housed in three small buildings each with a home-like setting, individual rooms, or individual work spaces, bathrooms, kitchens and common areas.

Each student is supported by an individual educational assistant.

Each building has a teacher for supervision, guidance and instruction.  Students have daily schedules that can be flexible due to one on one support.

Instructional activities include independent work systems, direct teaching and small group instruction. The student day includes swimming, walking, playground, or gym activity.  Art and music are offered once a week. 

Step-Up teachers work in collaboration with the home school districts when developing and carrying out I.E.P.'s, alternate assessments and behavior plans.  Home school districts provide consultative services to teachers and to students when specified in the I.E.P.

Who is eligible?
School aged children diagnosed with a disorder on the autism spectrum and who are experiencing difficultly succeeding in a typical school setting.  

Parents who have an interest in the program MUST contact their community school principal to discuss Step-Up as an alternate placement.  The school can arrange a tour of Step-Up for interested parents.