The Pathways Strategic Teaching Center is a comprehensive education and treatment program servicing children with autism and related disorders. Founded in 1998 through a collaborative effort between the Kent County Arc J. Arthur Trudeau Memorial Center and local parents of children with autism, Pathways is committed to utilizing scientifically validated teaching strategies in improving the lives of children with autism and their families.

• Pathways is dedicated to providing state-of-the-art, scientifically validated, educational and treatment services in its Center.

• Pathways relies on humane and ethical reinforcement-based teaching and treatment procedures to maximize learning outcomes for the children served.

• Pathways assists families and educators in pursuing success for their children in home, school and community settings.

• Pathways is committed to training education and human service professionals in state-of-the-art education and treatment practices and contributing to the scientific literature in autism education and treatment.

Pathways Strategic Teaching Center is an education and treatment program designed to maximize independence and enhance the lives of children with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders.

Pathways education and treatment strategies are based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis, an organized and systematic approach that has been demonstrated effective in building skills as well as assessing and treating problem behavior. Individually tailored curricula address speech and language, pre-academic and academic skills, daily living and self-care skills, play and social skills, and assessment and treatment of challenging behavior. A one-to-one ratio of teachers to students is typically utilized, although small and large group activities may be provided for students who achieve the skills to learn in such settings. A comprehensive system of student evaluation allows for daily refinement of student lessons.

Pathways teaching staff receive regular supervision and training from Master's and Doctoral level behavior analysts to ensure teaching and treatment integrity. Pathways also provides regular consultation to parents and local educational agencies to assist in generalizing progress to environments beyond the classroom.

Pathways Strategic Teaching Center provides Applied Behavior Analysis consultation and education in Southern New England region.

• Pathways provides consultation to local education agencies serving children with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders.

• Pathways addresses specific child needs in community-based schools, including transitioning students from highly intensive educational environments to regular education settings and design of classroom systems.

• Pathways provides educational and training opportunities for families and others in the community, addressing challenges common to children with autism and other developmental disabilities.

Pathways Strategic Teaching Center begins serving children at age two. Family participation is an integral part of the student's educational program. The Center collaborates with the on-site CRAYONS Preschool and Kindergarten and with community-based schools to address learning in typical educational environments.

• Pathways serves children in preschool, primary and elementary classrooms with an intensive staff-to-student ration.

• Pathways uses scientifically-based teaching methods supervised by Board Certified Behavior Analysts and Certified Teachers.

• Pathways relies on a comprehensive system of student evaluation that allows for daily refinement of individualized student lessons.

• Pathways provides continuous staff training and supervision to maintain a height level of staff performance and yield maximum outcomes for students.

• Pathways equips and works "shoulder to shoulder" with parents to maximize student outcomes in natural environments: the home and community.

• Pathways addresses critical skills for success in the home environment.

• Pathways equips parents through training activities, coaching and oversight of parent implemented lessons.

Students of the Pathways Strategic Teaching Center are usually placed by their local school district through the IEP (Individualized Education Program) process. While parents can make initial contact with Pathways for informational purposes, the IEP team will ultimately determine placement.

The Pathways Strategic Teaching Center is located at 3445 Post Road, Warwick. Transportation is provided by the public schools or private transportation.

• Applied Behavior Analysis

• Diagnostic Evaluations

• Occupational Therapy Consultation

• Speech Language Pathology Consultation

• Nursing Services

• IEP development and implementation

• Transition planning and support for students, families, and public schools

• Collaborative program development, adaptive curriculum for inclusive activities in the public schools

• Collaborative training with public school personnel for the effective transition of students from private to local education settings

• Parent education and training opportunities

• Collaboration with other therapeutic disciplines as indicated by the individual student's IEP (e.g., vision specialist).