We are a private school accredited by the Missouri Department of Education. We provide families an alternative to public education and allow traditional students and students with Learning Disabilities, including Autism, to achieve their full capabilities. 

Recognizing and emphasizing individual differences, our teachers help students learn in an environment which  emphasizes social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development.

Rivendale’s Keys to Success
 
*Year Round Schooling    
 
*Individualized Programming
   
*Paraprofessionals are available to assist students individually or in small groups
 
*Remediation teaching is offered to those of need on a one-on-one basis
 
*ABA is implemented into the curriculum for the children with Autism
 
*The facility has a home-like atmosphere
 
*Staff at Rivendale are continually attending professional development activities or graduate courses to further their knowledge in the area of education

* Students range in age from 3-18 years.

*Our goal is to get students back into a public school setting as soon as possible. The average length of stay for our students at the autism center is approximately 3 years while students at the Institute stay approximately 2 years.
 

Program Highlights

Education isn't about memorizing facts; it's about teaching children how to learn.  Teaching the whole student is just the beginning.  We believe in tuning the curriculum to the individual.  Numerous learning factors are considered: sensory modes, (tactile/kinesthetic, visual, auditory), physical needs and emotional needs to name a few.
 
Curriculum is interdisciplinary, linking traditional subjects to current events in the student's life.  Generalization learned skills into the community is practiced frequently.  Real life question forming and problem solving are encouraged in an atmosphere of cooperation.  Students are expected to respect and help one another.  Our students make choices and decisions, take responsibility, and then evaluate themselves.  Student success, both personally and academically, is expected and affirmed.

We provide various reading programs for children diagnosed with Dyslexia or who just struggle with traditional reading programs.   One is called S.P.I.R.E. and another is LEXIA, a computerized program.  Both reading programs provide our students with the guidance and instruction needed to be successful readers and learners. Our written language program is called Step Up To Writing.  Again, this a multisensory program used with students of all ages that provides guidance in a color-coded, direct instruction format with proven data to support the efficacy of this written language program.

Our math programs consist of hands on, multisensory learning as well.  Our advance students are learning algebra while our early learners use Touch Math and various learning stations set up by each classroom teacher.  It is common to see individual students or small groups of students stationed around the building during math completing various tasks using manipulatives such as measuring cups, base ten blocks, marbles, dice, colored beads …

Many of our students struggle with the sometimes laborious chore of handwriting. We employ methods of handwriting instruction based on the age and needs of the student.  Our younger learners enjoy Handwriting Without Tears.

What is ABA?
In addition to the multisensory, direct instruction approach to learning, Rivendale is known for the structured, intense Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program for our early learners diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders.  This program offers families intense instruction in self-help skills, daily living, social, emotional, academic and behavioral skills.  Students are worked with one on one in a discrete trial training environment several times throughout the day, then spend time in a Natural Education Teaching (NET) environment where the skills are’generalized’ in a more natural environment.  Students in this program range in age from 3 to 10 years.

Applied Behavior Analysis  (ABA)

Applied behavior analysis or ABA is a way of teaching and reinforcing appropriate behaviors.  The therapist working with the child sets things up in the environment to increase the behaviors we want (i.e., eye contact, responding when being spoken to, in seat behavior) and decrease the behaviors we want to get rid of (i.e. hitting, ignoring, self-stimming, out of seat behavior).  ABA is looking at the function of behaviors and then responding to them in an appropriate manner or replacing the behavior with a behavior that is more socially acceptable. 

In getting to the ‘root’ of a behavior, the therapist will analyze the Antecedence, Behavior, and  Consequence of the behavior.  This provides the therapist with valuable information as to ‘why’ a behavior occurs or doesn’t occur thus providing direction on which method or approach to use in addressing the behavior and teaching the child new ways to communicate.

Once the therapist knows what skills to teach the child, each task will be broken down into small steps and taught using a method called discrete trial training (DTT).  At this stage, each task is broken down into small sequential steps and taught separately, chaining each step together as an entire procedure.  DTT is generally taught individually and emphasizes rote skill building through very systematic and consistent approach by the therapist.

At the same time a therapist is engaging a child in DTT, those skills are simultaneously ‘generalized’ into a more natural environment.  We refer to this as the Natural Environment Teaching Classroom or NET.

Throughout the child’s working times, he or she is reinforced using a variety of reinforcement schedules appropriate to the child’s age level, maturity and need.  With each trial, documentation is taken by the therapist.  Later, this information is graphed to show growth, and areas of need. 
It is vital to a successful ABA program that a board certified behavior analyst is involved in setting up the child’s program beginning with a functional behavioral assessment (FBA) followed by a program designed to meet the individual child’s needs.  The ABA therapist also oversees the child’s data books and graphs the changes made by the child to each therapist involved as well as the parent. 

While there are many programs available to meet the needs of children with ASD, ABA proves to be one of the highest regarded programs suitable to teach children with autism as well as other types of disabilities.  Research continues to support this statement.

Insurance

Rivendale Center for Autism can now bill insurance for ABA services for children diagnosed with autism.  Missouri has recently mandated insurance companies to provide insurance coverage for children with autism. Check with your local carrier to see if you qualify for this coverage or call our office.