412 West 9th Street
Columbia, TN 38401

Phone: (931) 388-3810
Fax: (931) 388-0405
Email: info@tkds.org

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The King's Daughters' School Center for Autism


More Information
Center for Autism Brochure
Frequently Asked Questions
Center for Autism Photos
Center for Autism Brochure
APRIL IS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
The Center for Autism is a new and state-of-the-art branch campus of The King's Daughters' School. As a highly-structured, co-educational campus, the Center for Autism provides individual attention to help children ages 7-22 learn to communicate and master self-help skills. The Center serves children from across the United States and abroad who have significant communication, sensory, social, daily living, and/or behavioral challenges.

Students at the Center for Autism benefit from a small student-teacher ratio (2.5 to 1, and lower for children who need more intensive supports) and a small capacity (just 20 students residentially and a small number of day students). This allows teachers and staff to focus on each child as an individual, and to tailor their teaching strategies to meet each child's needs and abilities.

The Center for Autism uses a combination of widely accepted training methods, including:
  • PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System)
  • TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication-handicapped CHildren)
  • ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis)
  • Floor time
  • Speech, Occupational, and Sensory Therapies
The Center for Autism campus includes disability-specific classrooms, a multipurpurpose/recreation room, a clinic, and a cafeteria, as well as cheerful living areas, such as large, handicap-accessible restrooms, brightly decorated double bedrooms, relaxing community rooms, and a playground. Students at the Center also have access to all other KDS facilities: indoor and outdoor pools; a park with a running track and basketball and tennis courts, and an eight-acre rustic camp.

Students at the Center receive the following minimum services:
  • A regular 6 1/2-hour school day, including regular periods for communication, functional academics, daily living skills, hard play, and sensory integration
  • Self-help and daily living skills training
  • Speech therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Behavior analysis and modification
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • Access to computers and other assistive technology
  • Opportunities for socialization and social-adaptive training
  • Regular community involvement activities
  • Structured leisure and recreational activities
  • Regular opportunities for inclusion
  • Assistance in overcoming transitioning challenges
  • Training in skill generalization
  • Small student-to-teacher ratio
  • Year-round programming
  • Twenty-four hour supervision and assistance
For more information on the KDS Center for Autism, access information located in the table at the top of this page, or call 931.388.3810.

900 Trotwood Avenue, Columbia, TN 38401


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