At the Gengras Center, we are more than just a school; we are a dedicated community committed to empowering students aged 5 to 22 with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism and related challenges.
Our overarching mission is to guide every student toward their highest level of independence, fostering effective communication skills, and building strong social connections within an inclusive environment.
To achieve this transformative impact, we employ a comprehensive, evidence-based approach that uniquely tailors programs for the whole child:
- Personalized Learning & Skill Acquisition: Delivering individualized instruction and program planning with a high staff-to-student ratio, focusing on functional literacy, daily living routines, and pre-vocational skills.
- Integrated Therapeutic Support: Providing speech and language therapy (including AAC), physical therapy, and occupational therapy to enhance receptive and expressive language skills and promote self-advocacy.
- Social & Emotional Development: Cultivating opportunities for peer relationships, social interaction, and fostering empathy, understanding, and acceptance, while offering social work services and counseling.
- Behavioral Expertise: Employing an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) approach, we guide students in developing effective behavioral strategies, promoting prosocial engagement and essential skill acquisition.
- Life Preparation & Community Engagement: Offering vocational experiences, employment training, community instruction, safety training, and comprehensive transition support that prepares students for post-graduation opportunities.
- Holistic Enrichment: Incorporating artistic expression through art, music, and drama, alongside wellness education via health, nutrition, and physical education classes.
We believe in designing instruction for each student’s individual needs, and through strong communication and collaboration with families, we build a strong foundation for a fulfilling and independent life, helping students build the skills needed to generalize and thrive in all environments.