The Birchtree Center

Description:

The Birchtree Center exists to promote independence, engaging relationships, and productive lives for children and youth with autism at home, at school, and in the community.

The Birchtree Center's day school is an intensive, year-round special educational day program for students with autism ages 2-21. Highly trained staff work with students one-on-one and in small groups. All instruction is data-driven and based on the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA). Birchtree's team of autism experts includes specialists in the fields of applied behavior analysis, special education, communication, and occupational therapy. These specialists design and closely supervise all student programs.

Birchtree's day school is the only program of its kind in New Hampshire; over 23 public school districts and agencies in Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire send students to attend the school. Some students attend Birchtree for short periods of time and then transition successfully to their neighborhood schools. Others require ongoing intensive educational and behavioral supports that the program provides.

Students/Disabilities Served:

Birchtree's day school enrolls children and youth with autism and related disorders, aged 2-21 years.

Services Provided

All Birchtree programs are data-driven and based on the principles of applied behavior analysis. Board Certified Behavior Analysts® train and supervise all program staff in implementing programs across the day.

Instructional areas include:

  • Academics
  • Communication & Social Skills
  • Self-Care & Hygiene
  • Mobility & Fitness
  • Behavior & Self-Regulation
  • Vocational & Independent-Living Skills
  • Leisure Skills & Community Participation

Students Achieving Independence for Life (SAIL) services prepare Birchtree's adolescent day-school students for life beyond Birchtree. Birchtree's autism experts work closely with students' families and local agencies to develop individualized plans to promote independence for life. Students aged 14-21 years receive practical, hands-on instruction in vocational skills, community participation, lifelong learning, and independent living. Students develop and practice their skills across multiple settings at Birchtree and in the community.

The Birchtree Center also offers applied behavior analysis (ABA) and autism consultation and services to benefit children and youth with autism, developmental delay, developmental disabilities and/or behaviors that interfere with learning. Birchtree's autism experts travel over 60,000 miles per year throughout New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts to provide services in public schools, family homes and other community settings. The organization also offers educational workshops and programs at Birchtree for educators and families.

Contact Information:

The Birchtree Center
215 Commerce Way, Suite 300
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Tel#: 603-433-4192
To email The Birchtree Center, go to http://birchtreecenter.org/contact

Website: www.birchtreecenter.org