4371 Northern Pike,  Monroeville, PA 15146
(412) 856-7223 or 7224    Fax: (412) 856-7428

Summer Program for the Education of Autistic Kids (S.P.E.A.K.)

S.P.E.A.K. began in 1975. The goals at that time have not changed; to provide a structured setting for autistic children during the summer where they could learn to develop recreation skills not readily available to them in the local community, and to maintain skills they had acquired during the previous school year.

Each year the S.P.E.A.K. goals are reviewed and updated - without deviating from the original program intent. They include:

Community interaction/awareness
Development of recreation and leisure skills
Development of basic living skills
Music and art enrichment
Development of socialization skills
Speech and language enrichment in a classroom and community setting

S.P.E.A.K. activities are designed to be age-appropriate and include goal-oriented skills prescribed for each student. These include:

BASIC LIVING SKILLS

Snack preparation
Meal preparation
Domestic skills
Personal grooming skills
Dressing skills

RECREATION

Roller skating
Bicycle riding
Bowling
Swimming
Basketball
Football

COMMUNITY TRAINING

Purchases at convenience and grocery stores
Appropriate use of fast food and sit-down restaurants
Riding public transportation, the "T", etc.
Accessing community services/activities (parks museums, libraries, science center)

EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR OBJECTIVES

Academic skills
Communication skills
Prevocational skills
Behavior/social skills
Self-care skills

© Autism Society of Pittsburgh