ABOUT US

GABS Academy is a licensed private school for students with autism and emotional disturbance.

The program emphasizes principles of applied behavior analysis through data-based instruction, positive programming, social skills instruction, problem solving, and academics aligned with PA Core and Alternative Standards.

The staff at GABS Academy are highly trained to provide intensive behavioral and problem-solving strategies in coordination with academic and social programming in one on one or small group instruction.  The goal of the comprehensive program is to return the student to a less restrictive environment as soon as possible.

  • GABS Academy serves students from PreKindergarten to 6th grade.  
  • Each student attending GABS Academy will have a full Functional Behavior Assessment, FBA upon entry to the program.  A Positive Behavior Support Plan, PBSP will be created with each FBA.   Principles of behavior aligns with ABA strategies and techniques and focuses on positive behavior supports.
  • GABS Academy adhere to the PA policy on school attendance and truancy.  Student days are 180 school days.  Extended School Year is 4 days per week for 6 weeks.

Inspired by a child’s potential and focused on meeting their individual needs through evidence-based practices.

. Academic Curriculum

Core academic curriculum follows the PA Common Core standards and are aligned with local school districts scope and sequence. Assessment is done for progress monitoring and reporting to parents 4 times per year. Full standardized assessment and data collection is done each year for students annual IEP.

. Alternative Curriculum

For students with a developmental delayed profile, GABS follows the PA alternative standards. Assessment utilizes the VBMAPP, PEAK Assessment, and Denver Early Learning and follows key elements for verbal behavior of targeted goals.

. Social Skills

Social skills instruction is key to behavioral problem solving and replacement skills. Social skills instruction follows key practitioners and programs; Michele Garcia Winner, Carole Gray, Superflex, Zones of Regulation etc.

. Related Services

GABS Academy and Austill’s Educational Therapy Services have collaborated to have Speech, OT and PT services provided at GABS Academy. The cost for the services from Austill’s, will be either billed directly to the School Districts or via billing via GABS Academy.

. Evaluation and Assessment

-Daily data collection is charted and analyzed for behavior, communication, academic and social goals.
-Formative assessment is completed for monitoring growth on all goals.
-Summative assessment; standardized testing, reading inventories, math standardized assessment is done at each annual IEP.
--=Student Progress is reported weekly for data collection. Summarizes of goal progress is reported 4 times per year. Full assessment and goal review are done annually and when student demonstrates a need for a revision to goals or plan.