About
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is more common than childhood cancer, cystic fibrosis, and multiple sclerosis combined. It is estimated to affect more than 2 million individuals in the United States and tens of millions worldwide, and there are too few places in the world that believe in the capabilities of individuals with special needs.
Many children on the Autism spectrum are highly intellectual, even gifted. Developing meaningful and stable relationships and successful independent functioning requires very specialized intervention and support. We know more today about the neurological, medical, environmental and experiential variables that can be targeted to maximize progress and realize new heights for many of these individuals.
A person’s growth and development depend on incorporating new learning and experiences, adapted to the needs of the individual, throughout the lifespan. When it comes to intervention approaches used to support individuals with special needs, one size does not fit all, and interventions must advance to reflect the latest research as well as be tailored to individual differences, and related needs, that can shift over time. The Developmental, Individual, Relationship-based Foundational Capacities for Development (DIR-FCD) approach embraced at CTI’s core, helps individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder to build healthy foundations for social, emotional, and intellectual abilities.
In order to bring our vision to reality, we must build a strong base employing dedicated individuals who can integrate the principles of DIR and FCD into existing models of service. With the presence on our board of Monica Osgood, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Celebrate the Children school, as well as teaching staff and administration staff members, we are positioned to dramatically change the future of services offered to ID/DD individuals in Northern NJ.
Expanding upon the vision of Celebrate the Children to include those over 21 is the next natural step in ensuring ID/DD individuals continue to thrive through their entire lifespan ensuring that they don’t “fall of the cliff” as so many individuals have in the past. Just as CTC has served as a model to other programs all over the United States, we hope CTI will be the model for over 21 programs, leading to an expansion of progressive, respectful and self-directed services promoting independence and community connection.
Many children on the Autism spectrum are highly intellectual, even gifted. Developing meaningful and stable relationships and successful independent functioning requires very specialized intervention and support. We know more today about the neurological, medical, environmental and experiential variables that can be targeted to maximize progress and realize new heights for many of these individuals.
A person’s growth and development depend on incorporating new learning and experiences, adapted to the needs of the individual, throughout the lifespan. When it comes to intervention approaches used to support individuals with special needs, one size does not fit all, and interventions must advance to reflect the latest research as well as be tailored to individual differences, and related needs, that can shift over time. The Developmental, Individual, Relationship-based Foundational Capacities for Development (DIR-FCD) approach embraced at CTI’s core, helps individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder to build healthy foundations for social, emotional, and intellectual abilities.
In order to bring our vision to reality, we must build a strong base employing dedicated individuals who can integrate the principles of DIR and FCD into existing models of service. With the presence on our board of Monica Osgood, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Celebrate the Children school, as well as teaching staff and administration staff members, we are positioned to dramatically change the future of services offered to ID/DD individuals in Northern NJ.
Expanding upon the vision of Celebrate the Children to include those over 21 is the next natural step in ensuring ID/DD individuals continue to thrive through their entire lifespan ensuring that they don’t “fall of the cliff” as so many individuals have in the past. Just as CTC has served as a model to other programs all over the United States, we hope CTI will be the model for over 21 programs, leading to an expansion of progressive, respectful and self-directed services promoting independence and community connection.
