The Peter Haje Center for Autism at New Alternatives for Children is one of many programs within our Family Mental Health Clinic, which provides a full range of psychiatric and psychological services, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy.

NAC is one of very few agencies in NYC to provide ABA therapy for children who are on the autism spectrum and who are child welfare involved. Despite being the most evidenced based standard of care for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ABA therapy is often not accessible to low-income children. Recognizing this gap in services, NAC created the Peter Haje Center for Autism in late 2018.

ABA therapy focuses on teaching socially significant behaviors, helping children and young adults communicate their needs, increase their autonomy, make and maintain friendships and learn important skills for adulthood. The Peter Haje Center for Autism provides ABA socialization skills groups, 1:1 ABA therapy, and parent training. As part of NAC’s Family Centered Treatment approach, clients, and their parents and caregivers are critical contributors to treatment, and valued members of each ABA treatment team.

Autism services at NAC are primarily center-based. Our center-based approach ensures that children are receiving efficient and effective treatment in a safe environment with highly trained professionals. The NAC ABA Treatment Team is comprised of experienced BCBA/LBA’s, Registered Behavior Technicians, and ABA trained Behavior Technicians. Our treatment team attends ongoing trainings to be well versed in current ABA practices, including trauma informed behavior analysis. Our team leaders ensure that all parents and guardians understand treatment goals in order to carry out the same clinical effects in the home environment and prevent regression of skills.

Services include:

• Initial Assessment
• ABA Treatment Plan
• Supervision of RBT/BT Staff
• 1:1 ABA Therapy
• Social Skills Group
• Parent/Caregiver Training
• Team Meetings
• Case Consultation
• Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavior Intervention Plan

The Peter Haje Center for Autism primarily serves children involved in NAC’s child welfare programs  but may also be able to accommodate children referred from the community.

Services are provided for:

• Children already diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder who have a prescription for ABA
• Children who need referrals for assessment and diagnosis

Most Insurance Plans Accepted. Please contact us to see if your plan is accepted at 212.696.1550 or autism@nackidscan.org.

ABA therapy has been scientifically studied for over 50 years. Documented research has shown that ABA can help to reduce many dangerous and socially isolating behaviors, as well as increase behaviors that lead to increased autonomy. Our BCBA/LBA’s utilize trauma sensitive approaches, creating plans that ensure client safety, respect client boundaries and focus on goals that are important to the client and their families. Specifically, the following outcomes are expected through the process of therapy:

• Reduction behaviors that cause injury to oneself or to others
• Increased functional communication, including self-advocacy
• Increased adaptive daily living skills
• Increased social skills and social awareness
• Increased ability to attend necessary tasks related to health, safety and education
• Generalization of learned skills across a variety of environments and people

NAC offers comprehensive health and social services to families and their children with special needs, including autism specific assessments for diagnostic purposes in our Mental Health Clinic.

Other support services available include:

• Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)
• Full Psychological/Psychiatric Evaluations
• Individual/Group Therapy
• Medication Management
• Crisis Intervention and Planning
• Champions for Children’s Health (Care Management for Children)
• Children and Family Treatment and Support Services (CFTSS)
• Youth Strong & P.E.E.R Project Youth Development Groups
• Family Permanency Center