Linwood Center Inc

PROVIDES EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL TRAINING, RESIDENTIAL AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH AUTISM.

SCHOOL EDUCATION-LINWOOD SCHOOL IS APPROVED BY THE MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (MSDE) TO PROVIDE A SPECIAL EDUCATION AND RELATED SERVICES PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WITH AUTISM AND OTHER RELATED DISABILITIES IN AN EDUCATION PROGRAM (AGES 5 THROUGH 21) WITH ADDITIONAL RESIDENTIAL COMPONENTS. PROGRAMS ARE ALIGNED WITH THE BEST PRACTICES MODELS IDENTIFIED BY THE NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS, INCLUDING (A) THE MARYLAND COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS STANDARDS IN OUR CLASSROOMS, (B) VERBAL BEHAVIOR MILESTONES ASSESSMENT AND PLACEMENT PROGRAM (VB-MAPP) TO HELP WITH COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND PREREQUISITE LEARNING, (C) THE USE OF TEACCH PROGRAM METHODOLOGY, PROMPT, AND AUGMENTATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS (AAC), AND (D) THE SCIENCE OF APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS TO DECREASE MALADAPTIVE BEHAVIORS AND INCREASE APPROPRIATE REPLACEMENT BEHAVIORS.

SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT DAY HABILITATION PROVIDES VOCATIONAL TRAINING, AND EMPLOYMENT FOR OUR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. THESE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFESPAN WITH THE SUPPORT OF STAFF. THE ADULTS IN OUR PROGRAMS WORK AT VARIOUS ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING OUR SCHOOL AND OUR RED BRANCH LOCATION.

ADULT COMMUNITY-BASED RESIDENTIAL-OUR COMMUNITY-BASED RESIDENTIAL SERVICES PROGRAM OPERATES HOMES THROUGHOUT HOWARD AND BALTIMORE COUNTIES. MOST SUPPORT THREE INDIVIDUALS AND ALL HAVE STAFF ONSITE AT ALL TIMES, INCLUDING OVERNIGHT. STAFF MEMBERS ASSIST RESIDENTS AS THEY DEVELOP THE DAILY ROUTINES NECESSARY FOR THEM TO WORK, USE COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND MAKE CONNECTIONS OUTSIDE THEIR HOMES. EACH HOME HAS A VAN TO TAKE RESIDENTS TO THEIR DAY PROGRAM SITES AND TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND APPOINTMENTS. FAMILIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO REMAIN A PART OF THE RESIDENTS' LIVES; THEY VISIT THE HOMES AND BECOME PART OF THE TEAM THAT DEVELOPS AND REVIEWS THE INDIVIDUALS' TREATMENT PLANS. LINWOOD'S ADULT RESIDENTIAL SERVICES ARE LICENSED BY THE MARYLAND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ADMINISTRATION.

CHILDREN'S RESIDENTIAL-AS A COMPONENT OF LINWOOD'S COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS LIVING WITH AUTISM, LINWOOD PROVIDES RESIDENTIAL SERVICES FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT. STUDENTS ARE REFERRED TO THESE SERVICES BASED ON NEED THROUGH LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS, THE LOCAL DEPARTMENTS OF SOCIAL SERVICES, AND THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ADMINISTRATION. STUDENTS IN LINWOOD'S RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS RESIDE IN NEARBY GROUP HOMES WITH AN AVERAGE OF FOUR CHILDREN IN EACH HOME. ALL RESIDENCES HAVE ROUND- THE-CLOCK STAFFING INCLUDING AWAKE-OVERNIGHT SUPERVISION. UNDER THE DIRECTION OF LINWOOD'S STATE CERTIFIED RESIDENTIAL CHILD CARE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS, A FULL COMPLEMENT OF STAFF PROVIDE SUPERVISION AND ENGAGE THE RESIDENTS IN A WIDE ARRAY OF HOME LIVING AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AFTER SCHOOL AND ON WEEKENDS. THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES LICENSES AND MONITORS LINWOOD'S RESIDENTIAL SERVICES.