support programs

STEPS Center for Excellence in Autism specializes in the treatment and education of persons diagnosed on the autism spectrum. The STEPS program at the Academy of St. Adalbert is designed to meet the needs of children who are ready to move into a small group setting or an inclusive school setting.  The STEPS staff support and train the teachers of the Academy and aid in providing a safe and supportive environment for children on the autism spectrum.  The STEPS program is committed to providing an environment that is conducive to academic, social and behavioral growth.  The STEPS team include; Board Certified Behavior Analysts, Intervention Specialists, Reading Specialists, and teachers.  Treatment consists of programming to improve academic development, behavior modification to decrease maladaptive behaviors that are impeding learning, and programming to improve social skills development. The STEPS staff is data driven and looks at the needs of each child individually when developing programs and behavior management plans. STEPS teachers and consultants are also person-centered and adhere to a more humanistic philosophy in understanding and interacting with children.  The goal of STEPS is to help each individual serviced to reach their full potential for happiness and independence.   

Jennifer Might, MA, BCBA is the founder and owner of STEPS. She has been working with children diagnosed with autism for 14 years in a variety of capacities, including school and home based services. She has her Masters degree in Psychology from Duquesne University and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She has done extensive research on children diagnosed with autism in the inclusive setting and has authored articles relating to autism in the Encyclopedia of Special Education 2^nd ed.

STEPS is a Provider for the Ohio Department of Education's Autism Scholarship Program

Guiding Principles of STEPS

1.      Honoring the child. We focus on a person-centered philosophy. Our therapists take time to get to know and develop a connection with each child in order to better assess what their needs are. It is our belief that in order to teach a child we need to understand that child.

2.      Believing in the potential of each child that we work with. We understand that it is our responsibility to believe in the children so they can, in turn, believe in themselves. Our goal at STEPS is to help each child reach their full potential and develop healthy self-esteem and self-efficacy.

3.      Recognizing the importance of creating a positive atmosphere. We understand that creating a positive atmosphere promotes success and achievement in the children that we service.

4.      Recognizing the value of using researched based teaching methods, as well as collecting and analyzing data in order to determine effectiveness of methods we use. We believe that this can successfully be combined with a humanistic person- centered approach in how we view and understand the children that we service.

5.      Every child, regardless of level of need or situation, is welcome at STEPS and will not be sent home or kicked out of our program due to maladaptive behaviors.

6.      Understanding that the children that we service need to be taught, not changed. We honor the individual differences that each child brings.

7.      Educating the community on autism. It is our goal to educate the community on autism so the individuals that we service can successfully participate in community activities outside of STEPS. It is our belief that if people understand autism, they are more likely to accept the differences of individuals diagnosed with autism.

 For further information, please visit the STEPS website at http://stepsconsulting.org/.

The Academy of St. Adalbert offers a homework lab each day after school from 2:30 to 3:30. The lab is supervised by one of our teachers who will provide assistance to students as needed. To utilize this program, parents must complete an Extended Day Care Registration Agreement (click here to print a copy), including the one-time registration fee of $25 per family. Extended Day Care charges of $3.00 per hour (minimum one hour) for one child and $2.00 per hour for each sibling also apply.

The Academy of St. Adalbert is pleased to provide Quest: Accelerated Learning to students who qualify due to superior cognitive ability and/or creative thinking. The Academy recognizes that each child is unique and wants to be challenged. The purpose of the Quest program is to challenge those students who excel academically to use their giftedness to further their education.

Quest is in the beginning stages. I will be using eclectic methodology in my teaching approach. Children will be challenged in deductive and inductive reasoning.

I am currently checking standardized test scores to see who qualifies. The teachers will also request an evaluation be done for students they feel may qualify for Quest. More information will be coming home in the family mail as the program is implemented. If you feel your child should be evaluated or would like more information about Quest: Accelerated Learning, please click here for a request form.

For common characteristics of gifted children, click here to view/print an informative handbook from the Ohio Association for Gifted Children (OAGC) entitled, "What to Expect When . . . You're Raising a Gifted Child." Or, visit the OAGC website at www.oagc.com.

Thank you for supporting Quest: Accelerated Learning at the Academy of St. Adalbert. I have been teaching since 2000 and truly enjoy interacting and teaching students of all age groups. I am looking forward to working with you and your child.

Mrs. Bernardone