SCCPSS is committed to serving students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in their least restrictive environment alongside their peers. The great majority of our students are served in a general education classroom with or without the support of a general curriculum special education teacher. 

When additional support is needed, schools may reach out to the autism program support staff for additional resources, training, and/or services. Targeted, autism specific interventions may be developed and monitored to ensure the student is making progress and any additional needs are being addressed. 

When supports in the general education setting are not effectively meeting the student’s needs, placement in one of the school district’s autism program classrooms may be considered. There are three, distinct types of autism program classrooms. 

Jumpstart: for students ages 3-6 requiring autism-specific language, academic, and behavioral support. 

PACE: (Preparing students with Autism for Classroom Education): for students in grades k-8. PACE classrooms provide inclusion opportunities individualized for each student as determined by the IEP team. Students attending inclusion settings are supported by trainedPACE staff. 

LEAP: (Language Enriched Autism Program): LEAP students are supported in a separate class setting due to severe communication deficits. The goal of the program is to provide intensive support, develop an effective communication system, and to enable the students to be served in a less-restrictive setting which will effectively address their needs.