PRINCETON CHILD DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE

EDUCATION PROGRAMPCDI'S EDUCATION PROGRAM PROVIDES A TRUSTED ENVIRONMENT WHERE PRE-SCHOOLERS AND SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN WITH AUTISM THRIVE. ACCREDITED BY THE MERCER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, OUR PRE-SCHOOL AND K-12 PROGRAMS, TAILORED FOR AGES 3 TO 21, COMBINE INTENSIVE ONE-ON-ONE SESSIONS WITH ENGAGING GROUP ACTIVITIES THAT FOSTER LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL INTEGRATION, AND PEER INTERACTION. EACH CHILD BENEFITS FROM AN INDIVIDUALIZED CURRICULUM DESIGNED TO MEET THEIR UNIQUE NEEDS, WITH ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR THOSE FACING SEVERE BEHAVIOR CHALLENGES. FAMILIES PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE THROUGH PARENT TRAINING AND HOME PROGRAMMING SERVICES, EMPOWERING THEM TO SUPPORT THEIR CHILD'S PROGRESS. EXPERT STAFF PROVIDE ONGOING CONSULTATION, ENSURING PROGRAMS ARE EFFECTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE. WHEN FIRST ENROLLED AT PCDI, MANY OF OUR STUDENTS PREVIOUSLY HAVE NOT RECEIVED ADEQUATE SUPPORTS THROUGH PUBLIC EDUCATION, LEAVING FAMILIES TO ADVOCATE TIRELESSLY FOR THEIR NEEDS. AT PCDI, WE PROVIDE THE CRITICAL RESOURCES AND EXPERTISE TO HELP CHILDREN WITH AUTISM REACH THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL.

RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMSESTABLISHED IN 1977, FAMILY FOCUS PROGRAM PIONEERED NEW JERSEY'S FIRST GROUP HOME FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH AUTISM. WITH THE ADDITION OF OUR LATEST RESIDENTIAL SETTING THIS YEAR, PCDI NOW HAS THREE (3) FAMILY-STYLE GROUP HOMES. PCDI EXTENDS AROUND-THE-CLOCK CARE TO INDIVIDUALS, SOME WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES. HOMES ARE STAFFED BY DEDICATED PROFESSIONAL FAMILY TEACHERS WHO RESIDE ON-SITE, FOSTERING SUCCESSFUL FAMILY-PARTICIPATION EXPERIENCES. RESIDENTS ENGAGE IN A RANGE OF FAMILY-STYLE ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO ENHANCE LANGUAGE SKILLS, RECREATIONAL PURSUITS, DAILY LIVING ABILITIES, HEALTH, HYGIENE, AND PERSONAL SAFETY. TAILORED PROGRAMS PROMOTE SOCIAL INTERACTION INITIATION AND DECISION-MAKING SKILLS, WHILE FREQUENT COMMUNITY OUTINGS EMPOWER RESIDENTS TO INTEGRATE FULLY INTO COMMUNITY LIFE. IN OUR RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM, EVERY INDIVIDUAL'S JOURNEY IS GUIDED WITH COMPASSION AND PERSONALIZED SUPPORT. IN OUR SUPERVISED APARTMENT PROGRAM, ADULTS WITH AUTISM EXPERIENCE INDEPENDENT LIVING WITH PCDI PROFESSIONALS' GUIDANCE. THEY RECEIVE TAILORED INSTRUCTION IN SELF-CARE, HOME MANAGEMENT, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. INDIVIDUALIZED PROGRAMS FOCUS ON DEVELOPING SOCIAL INTERACTION SKILLS, BUDGET MANAGEMENT, AND ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN DIVERSE COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES. AT PCDI, WE EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS TO THRIVE IN THEIR OWN APARTMENTS WHILE PROVIDING ESSENTIAL SUPPORT FOR THEIR JOURNEY TOWARDS INDEPENDENCE.