Morgan Autism Center
Serving the community since 1969, Morgan Autism Center is a non public school. It has been providing positive, highly structured educational programs for pre-school and school-age children with autism and other developmental disabilities in Santa Clara, San Mateo and other Bay Area counties. In 1985, an Adult Program was introduced, focusing on vocational independent living skills, and continued academic enrichment.
Morgan Autism Center is recognized both nationally and internationally as a model program. The center has received numerous awards and State Department of Education commendations for its remarkable program.
The School Program
Morgan Autism Center (MAC) is a non-profit, non-public school, certified by the California Department of Education and provides programming for more than 30 Bay Area school districts in Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Alameda counties. Morgan Autism Center’s school program serves students ages 5 to 22. The students we serve are significantly impacted by autism and/or other developmental disabilities. The individuals we serve have significant challenges with social behavior, sensory integration, and communication. Students at Morgan Autism Center are referred to us through and funded by their public school districts. Each student’s day is specially designed through a collaboration between the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team members.
A high staff-to-student ratio with one to one or small groups, allowing us to build customized programs for each student.
A comprehensive approach that targets multiple areas of development—language, cognition, social behavior, motor, and self-help skills—creating the best opportunities for success.
We offer a high degree of flexibility to meet unique and changing educational needs, aligning our work with a student’s particular learning style. Continuous assessment of student’s progress is integral to the program.
A student’s school day unfolds in a carefully structured and supportive environment, with frequent one-on-one interaction with trained staff:
Individualized speech/language therapy
Academics (from basic cognitive skills to reading, writing, composition, and math)
Individualized occupational therapy
Play and social skills
Physical education
Art and Music therapy
We also emphasize teaching vocational and independent living skills, both on-site and at a variety of community locations.
Reverse Mainstreaming: Students from several nearby schools come weekly to Morgan Autism Center to facilitate communication and social skills development between typically developing students and students in the School Program.
Certified and endorsed: Morgan Autism Center is certified by the California Department of Education, and we are endorsed by 26 Bay Area school districts in Santa Clara, San Mateo, San Francisco, and Alameda counties. Morgan Autism Center is a nonpublic school. Students are funded through public school districts. Referrals come from school districts, physicians, private therapists, parents, and other agencies.
The Adult Program
Program Description and Structure
Our Adult Program was founded in 1985 and has evolved over the years and now serves 50 clients participating in a wide range of engaging and enriching activities throughout the day. We believe in creating ample opportunities for continued learning to support our adults under the Morgan Autism Center model.
Our Adult Program is designed with a 3:1 client-to-staff ratio. Clients range in age from 22 to 60 years old. Each day follows a predictable schedule with various activities that rotate on a weekly basis. Though we maintain the 3:1 ratio throughout the day, we often have groups of 6 or 9 clients working on the same activity. Staff are trained to teach functional and social skills to our clients throughout the day. Our clients rotate between staff and spend time with different groups of their peers.
keywords: non-public, nonpublic, elementary, middle school, high school