Programs

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• 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 operates at our newest campus, in Mandarin. This program includes focused learning in daily living skills, social skills, functional communication and vocational training.   The vocational training occurs both on campus and off, as we partner with companies in the local community.

On campus, students learn life skills related to hygiene, cooking, cleaning, making a bed, keeping your room tidy, doing laundry, and more. All of these skills are  taught in our state of the art kitchen, mock bedroom and laundry facilities. 

On campus vocational learning includes experiences within our fully functional breakfast cafe, commercial kitchen, retail center, horticulture area, and large cafeteria style "home" kitchen.  Students begin with two years of intensive training throughout every vocational area, and in year three they begin to focus on specific areas where their abilities and interests coexist.  Focused learning continues on and off campus through year three and into year four where students begin interning in companies in the Greater Jacksonville area.  

On campus, we also have multiple calm down/sensory areas, as well as a fitness facility with swings, elliptical,  steppers and more!