At The Faison Center, our mission is to give children and adults with autism and related challenges the best opportunity to improve their life’s journey through evidence-based practice. We provide world-class services and programs through our unique lifespan model, which offers enriching opportunities from early diagnosis to adulthood. No matter when our services are needed, we are committed to improving the lives of the individuals we serve.
Faison & Peninsula Schools
The Faison School and Peninsula School at The Faison Center provide educational services to individuals up to the age of 22 with autism and related challenges. It uses a unique three-pronged approach of evidence-based treatment, research, and community education to give students the tools needed to improve their life’s journey.
Lower School
The Lower School Program provides educational services to students up to 11 years old. As students progress through the Lower School curriculum, they may either continue on to the Middle School or move to a less restrictive teaching environment, such as The Faison Center’s Independent Learner Communities.
Middle School
The Middle School Program serves students ages 11 to 14 years old. Emphasis is placed on expanding functional communication, increasing independence with self-help and daily living skills, safety skills, building on skills to improve social interactions, academics and age-appropriate recreational activities. Once a student has completed this program, they will move up to the Upper School.
Upper School
For students ages 14 to 22 years old, the Upper School Program teaches applied academics with a focus on fostering independence. Upon completion of the Upper School program, students often enter The Faison Center’s Life Skills or Employment Academy, where they continue their education while exploring vocational opportunities and learning essential life skills. In partnership with other community organizations, Upper School students have the opportunity to engage in social interactions with typically developing peers.
Life Skills Program
In the Life Skills Program, students 16 through 22 years old work towards maximizing independence and readiness for life as an adult. Students of the program explore vocational interests, prepare for employment opportunities, work on enhancing their academic literacy and social/communication skills, and learn other essential daily living and recreation skills. Educational activities are both center and community-based and focus on essential life skills and functional academics.
Employment Academy
Designed for students 15 – 22 years old, the Employment Academy consists of full day, community-based instructional services. The services focus on vocational, social, communication, and other critical daily living skills in the context of an internship opportunity with one of our community partners. Each internship opportunity allows students to learn a variety of skills, some being specific to the vocational setting, while others are applicable to a number of community and social situations. Each experience is crafted to first assess and then teach vital vocational and other life skills to students.
Behavioral Health Clinic
Diagnostic Services
The Faison Center offers ADOS-2 administration as well as diagnostic evaluations to assess learning and developmental concerns related to autism and other developmental disabilities. Our testing and evaluations also measure various abilities such as those related to intelligence, executive function (planning, organization, logical reasoning, etc.), attention, memory, learning, language, motor skills, social skills, and more. With clear assessment and evaluation, clients are provided a profile that guides instruction, identifies changes in functions, and supports recommendations for school or workplace accommodations.
- ADOS-2 Administration & Reporting (all ages)
- Diagnostic Evaluations (12 months – 15 years old)
- Speech Language Evaluations (5 – 22 years old)
Early Education Center
The Early Education Center offers early intervention for pre-school aged children in order to develop their communication and social skills in preparation for enrollment in kindergarten. The program also offers valuable support and training for parents to help them navigate the challenges of raising a child with autism.
The unique program combines Applied Behavior Analysis therapy with inclusion activities with neurotypically developing classmates collocated in the same building. As a result, the vast majority of participants graduate to enroll in traditional kindergarten classrooms.
Pediatric Consultations
Pediatric Consultation (PC) services are provided in the client’s natural environment(s) and are intended to involve both the client and their caregivers. PC focuses on providing families and caregivers with individualized treatment plans as well as ongoing training and support. Funding sources include commercial insurance, Community Living or Family and Individual Support Waivers, or private pay. Services can be direct with the client or may occur directly with the caregivers while the client is not present. They may also occur during daytime hours, as well as occasionally in the evenings or on weekends. This service is less intensive traditional in-home ABA. Generally, PC occurs 5-10 hours per week with the goal of fading services back or away completely over time.
Adult & Residential Services
Adult Day Services
The Faison Center’s Adult Day Services program is designed to enrich the lives of individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities. This strategic community-focused program develops, arranges, and coordinates learning opportunities like daily living skills, health and recreation programs, social skills, and volunteering. Individuals enrolled in the program participate in enriched activities such as visits to parks, coffee shops, shopping centers, concerts, and sporting events where their individualized goals are achieved. The Adult Day Services program is open during regular daytime hours.
The Faison Residence
The Faison Residence is a unique community that enables individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities to live more independently while providing care and support to ensure their safety and success.
This program is part of an inclusive apartment community that provides real living experiences, interactive training workshops, and community enrichment.
By leveraging smart home and security technology with a next-generation service model, the Faison Residence provides cost-effective, high-quality care, allowing individuals in the program to live as independently and successfully as possible.
Family Partner Program
The Faison Family Partner Program is a new residential choice for Virginia families. This unique community living approach brings families and individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities together as an extended family. Our family partners host families are professional parents trained to provide individualized support services to help achieve successful outcomes in the areas of independence, choice, communication, and daily living skills. The relationships that develop between the family partner host families and the family partner participants with developmental and intellectual disabilities are meaningful and long-lasting. These programs offer an exceptional alternative to group-home living by providing a more enriched and collaborative relationship for all involved.
Email: [email protected]
Address: 5311 Markel Road, Richmond, VA 23230
Office phone: (804) 612-1947
Website URL: https://thefaisoncenter.org