CSAAC

The mission of Community Services for Autistic Adults and Children is "to enable individuals with autism to achieve their highest potential and contribute as confident individuals to their community." CSAAC operates five programs which serve nearly 300 children and adults with autism across the lifespan.

These services are described as follows:

CSAAC operates 52 homes in Montgomery County, providing community living to children and adults with autism. Homes are staffed around the clock by counselors who teach independent living skills such as housekeeping, personal hygiene, shopping, money management, communication, telephone use, and leisure activities.

CSAAC's Supported Employment Program allows adults with autism to obtain training and work alongside non-disabled co-workers while under the supervision of CSAAC job coaches. Work sites include more than 40 private and public businesses, nonprofit organizations, and agencies. CSAAC assesses the interests and employment preferences of each individual and seeks paid employment compatible with his or her strengths.

CSAAC operates and manages the Community School of Maryland (CSM)--three nonpublic educational programs approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Our students are between 7 and 21 years old and attend community-based school programs at one of the three sites located in Rockville, Brookeville, and Silver Spring, MD.

Approved by the Maryland State Department of Education, CSAAC's Intensive Early Intervention (IEI) Program provides treatment through one-to-one positive behavioral intervention. Instructional technicians work with children between the ages of 24 months and 5 years old in the child's home environment.

Developed in 2001 to provide family training, as well as intensive individual support and after-school programming, this service enables children with autism to remain in their own home and communities by teaching self-care, appropriate communication, social participation, recreation, and how to access community resources. Services may be provided in the home, or on site at the Brookeville campus of the Community School of Maryland.

CSAAC is one of the sole providers in the nation to offer full lifespan services for individuals touched by autism, and we meet the unique human services needs for hundreds of families in Maryland.