The mission of the California Autism Foundation is to provide people with autism and other developmental disabilities the best possible opportunities for lifetime support, training and assistance to help them reach their highest potential for independence, productivity and fulfillment.

ABC School is a non-public school that serves children and young adults from ages 6 to 22 that have autism and other developmental disabilities. ABC School offers community-based programming which provide students the opportunity to learn generalized skills that are transferable to daily real world settings in addition to the classroom environment. ABC School’s highly specialized curriculum and highly trained staff, excel in helping students who have been unable to succeed elsewhere. ABC School’s functional skills curriculum includes math, language arts, vocational training, culinary classes, art classes, music classes, travel training and self-help skills.

ABC School utilizes Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), TEACCH structured teaching methodologies, Pivotal Response Training, and Community Based Instruction (CBI). ABC School specializes in behavior management, offering a positive behavior support approach to maladaptive behaviors that prevent the student from being successful in a less restricted environment. Utilizing a team approach, students are regularly assessed to determine skill acquisition and maintenance in accordance with the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goals. ABC provides 1:2 staff to student support unless otherwise specified in a student’s IEP.

Workability vocational training and transition preparation program for students 16 years of age and older is provided. In this comprehensive program, students are assessed to identify areas of strength and employable skills and then matched with an employment opportunity in the local community. Students receive training to include: mock interview trials, job application practice, mobility training with public transportation, budgeting and banking skills, problem solving, and safety skills within the work environment. Additionally, Students receive on the job training through staff assistance and job coaching.