Programs

Preschool

Our preschool program focuses on language acquisition and preparing students for VPK or kindergarten. This program is more 1:1 teaching with small groups for art, music, circle time and reading. Students are primarily age 3 - 6 in this program.

Lower Elementary

Our lower elementary program works from a first grade curriculum, with adjustments made for each student who may work below or above that level. There is a focus on math, science, reading, circle time, language for learning, and more throughout their very busy day!! Students are age 6 - 9 in this program.

Upper Elementary

Our upper elementary program is a very typical classroom setting. Students have independent work time, along with science, art, cooking, math, writing and reading. They also spend time learning social skills, life skills, chores and go on fun community outings to gain real life experiences. Students are age 8 - 11 in this program.

Middle Grades

Middle grades runs very much like our upper elementary program, with a focus on higher learning academics. Students are expected to be more independent in their functioning, and are performing reading, writing and math at a higher level. Students are age 10 - 15 in this program.

FUNctional Class

Our FUNctional class is focused on functional life skills and functional communication. They are learning independence in their hygiene and dressing, communication, life skills, and in their ability to sit and work with minimal to no support. Students in this class typically receive half day 1:1 therapy and half day classroom experiences, and are age 9 - 15.

GIFT Vocational

Our new GIFT vocational program is for students age 15 - 22 with focused learning on vocational training. This is a part day academic, part day hands on vocational training program. Currently this program is being run out of our 6789 Southpoint location and the Hope's Closet in Arlington, however we have a vision of expanding into a new location - a location built for these students specifically.

Find out more below!

G.I.F.T. Growing Independence For Teens

Statement of Need

1 in 40 children in the US have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. *
Nearly 50,000 teens age out of school-based services each year **
Nearly half of all young adults with autism have never had vocational training, nor held a job **
Of those with training only 60% leave the program with a job.**
Duval County and surrounding area there are extremely limited options for young people with autism
Most local centers have continual waiting lists.
Children with self-injurious or “aggressive” behaviors are not considered appropriate and are not considered for local wait lists.

*The National Survey on Children’s Heath reported November 2018

**Autism Speaks

GIFT is a much needed program in the Greater Jacksonville area for students age 15 - 22. This program will operate in a second Growing Together location, across the street from our current location. This will provide the opportunity for Growing Together to accept an additional 27 - 30 students. The program will have a part day academic/classroom setting and part day hands-on vocational and life skills training. The vocational training will happen both on campus and off, as we partner with companies in the local community.

On campus, students will learn life skills related to cooking, cleaning, making a bed, keeping your room tidy, doing laundry and more. All of these skills will be taught in our state of the art kitchen, mock bedroom and laundry facilities.They will also learn hygiene skills in our full bathroom with working shower.

We will also have a calm down room, as well as a fitness facility with swings, elliptical, steppers and more!