Autism Support Services
The Barber National Institute in Erie, PA offers a variety of autism services for both children and adults. Our highly trained and experienced staff provides quality care and support and is committed to enhancing the lives of individuals with autism and their families.
Early Intervention (Bright Beginning)Early Intervention Services are targeted to infants and toddlers (birth to age three) who are at risk of developmental delays. Our therapist and other staff provide help for a variety of issues, including speech and language delays, sleep and feeding problems, sensory processing concerns, and behavioral issues. |
Blended Case ManagementBlended Case Management offers professional assistance to locate, advocate, and coordinate services that address the unique needs of children, adolescents, and adults with autism. Blended Case Managers are available to assist individuals and families with a range of needs, including medical, mental health, educational, social, and vocational issues. |
Specialized Family-Based Mental Health ServicesThese services, for children and adolescents with autism, provide an intensive behavioral approach using Applied Behavioral Analysis, the "gold standard" technique for changing negative or destructive behaviors. The treatment team, a mental health therapist and a behavior specialist, offers in-home structural family therapy two to five times a week. |
Approved Private SchoolThe primary goal of the school-aged program at the Elizabeth Lee Black School is to prepare students to live and work more effectively at home, at school, and in the community. Programs are data-based, highly structured, and tailored to the specific needs of the child. Students are taught in a variety of settings by staff with expertise in autism. Members of the child's service team include speech pathologists, behavior analysts, physical and occupational therapists, and certified special education teachers. |
Before And After Preschool ProgramsThis program offers child care for preschool-aged students from 7:00 - 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 - 6:00 p.m. on each day of the preschool calendar. The program offers a progressive, innovative curriculum that encourages the development of creativity, self-direction, positive peer interactions, and communication. Our staff provides each child with a learning environment that is stimulating, caring, and fun. |
Behavioral Health Rehabilitation ServicesBehavioral Health Rehabilitation Services (BHRS) is an intensive, community-based behavioral health service designed to change problem behaviors in the home, school, or community settings. Services include those necessary to support parents, teachers, and caregivers with the challenges that accompany raising and educating children and adolescents with complex, multi-dimensional issues. |
Elizabeth Lee Black Specialized PreschoolThis preschool program provides individual and group instruction under the full breadth of services of the Barber National Institute to support the learning and behavioral requirements of children with disabilities. All children receive an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) that provides a plan and measurable goals to achieve progress. |
Family Support ServicesFamily Support Services (FSS) helps eligible families to purchase necessary services for their family member with special needs. Services may include therapies, respite care, recreation, and parenting skills training. The FSS support helps families meet their caregiving responsibilities and participate more fully in community activities. |
Time for Me"Time for Me" is a unique program held on Saturday afternoons for children ages 4-10 with autism or other developmental disabilities. Children enjoy an afternoon of structured activities, including swimming, arts and crafts, and gym. It also provides the parents with their own "Time for Me" knowing that their children are in a safe environment, having fun, and are well supervised by trained staff. T.S.S. are welcome to attend. |
Happy Hearts Inclusive PreschoolThis program offers a progressive, innovative curriculum that encourages creativity, self-direction, positive peer interaction, and communication skills for both typically developing children and children with special needs ages 3-5. In addition to group activities, all children receive individualized attention to encourage them to develop to their potential. Students also benefit from an excellent student-to-teacher ratio. |
Home and Community-Based Waiver ServicesThe Agency with Choice Program provides eligible families with funding to purchase many different support services needed for caregiving. The goal of this support is to enable families to remain together in their own homes. Benefits include visiting nurses, camps, home health care, adaptive equipment and home adaptations, therapies, and trained staff to provide short-term caregiving responsibilities. |
Autism Support ProgramThe Autism Support Program at the Elizabeth Lee Black School of the Barber National Institute is an innovative program for preschool and school-aged children with autism within the Approved Private School (APS) service. In addition to all of the services of the Approved Private School, the program incorporates many cutting-edge features for students with autism, including enhanced staff training, extensive individualized curricular support, and a program-wide focus on Applied Behavior Analysis. |
Mental Health Partial Hospitalization ProgramThe Mental Health Partial Hospitalization program serves students ages 5-21 with various psychiatric, emotional, and behavioral needs. Students with autism benefit from an educational/therapeutic approach based on Applied Behavior Analysis. The clinical support team includes a psychiatrist, board-certified behavior analyst, psychiatric nurse, and trained professional staff. |
ESO Adult Summer CampExpanding Social Opportunities (ESO) at the Barber National Institute offers a summer camp for adults with autism and other intellectual disabilities. Adults with autism, developmental, and intellectual disabilities are invited to explore the opportunities at this summer camp in Erie, PA. |
Connections CampA summer recreational camp that helps children ages 5 – 14 with high-functioning autism to build social and coping skills, and change problem behaviors. |
Camp ShamrockA summer recreation camp for children with autism and other intellectual and physical disabilities that offers a range of activities, including arts & crafts, swimming, and community outings. |
Children’s Acute Partial Hospitalization ProgramAn intensive program of behavior therapies and supports for children and teens ages 4-18 with a qualifying mental health diagnosis, including those with a co-occurring Autism Spectrum diagnosis or intellectual disability. |
Social Skills DevelopmentTherapists teach children and teens the nuances of social communication and provide caregivers with strategies to build upon and reinforce their children’s social abilities. |
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