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California’s First Non-profit Center for Autism Research, Education and Family Services
CARLSBAD, CA -- April 17, 2008 -- The National Center for Autism Research and Education (NCARE), California’s first non-profit centralized resource for autism research, education and family support services has enrolled its first families into the center. Families are flocking to NCARE resulting from the announcement to begin enrollment for fall 2008. The primary reason is that families desperately need centralized autism resources.
Soonhee “Sunny” Bailey, is the mother of a 10 year-old daughter, Makena, who struggles with both low-functioning autism and intermittent explosive disorder (extreme violence). The family relocated from Washington to Las Vegas in order to obtain intensive therapy programs. Makena has been part of an applied behavior analysis (ABA) program for more than four years. The program involves three to five trained “tutors” on a thirty to forty hour a week basis. Although outbursts still occur, Makena (whose original prognosis was that she would never acquire meaningful communication), has developed more than 200 words for basic communication. “Sunny” says, “That between the appointments with her neuropsychologist, psychiatrist for her medications, pediatricians for her gastro issues and to monitor her progress, speech therapy, occupational therapy, school, and the over thirty hours a week in ABA, centralized services are much needed by families living with autism.”
In contrast to Makena, on the higher functioning side of the autism spectrum are Jessica Bickford’s husband and two sons, ages 2 and 7. All are diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. They, too, receive services in multiple facilities and her oldest son’s condition does not permit him to attend public school. Jessica worries about his future quality of life. “My oldest son, Logan, is a voracious learner who knows enough about the ocean to be a scientist.” She continues, “Yet, his lack of personal awareness may require a life with personal handlers to tell him when to take a break and eat a meal.” Unlike Makena, with tailored programs, Jessica’s sons may be able to integrate into society through reverse mainstreaming which is a part of NCARE’s education research model.
NCARE President, Keith Berglund, says, “The strain on families is tremendous. The Center for Disease Control’s statistics show that 82 percent of families living with autism suffer from divorce.” Berglund continues, “NCARE realizes this and is coming to the aid of all families nationwide by providing research, behavioral services, family counseling services, and comprehensive learning models for autistic students all from one facility. We encourage parents affected by autism to contact NCARE for individualized assistance.”
NCARE’s planned national expansion will take place over the next five years respectively:
Region 1 - West: Carlsbad, CA • Temecula, CA • Las Vegas, NV • San Francisco, CA • Portland, OR • Seattle, WA • Honolulu, HI
Region 2 - Midwest: Denver, CO • Dallas, TX • Kansas City, MO • Chicago, IL • Indianapolis, IN • Detroit, MI • Milwaukee, WI
Region 3 - Southeast: Miami, FL • Atlanta, GA • Charlotte, NC • Richmond, VA • Jacksonville, FL
Region 4 - Northeast: Washington, D.C. • Manhattan, NY • Trenton, NJ • Boston, MA • Philadelphia, PA • Cincinnati, OH • Brooklyn, NY
For more information on NCARE’s services or how to support NCARE’s initiatives, contact Kevin Robertson, Director of Business Development, at (760) 438-8600, or email to
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About NCARE
The National Center for Autism Research and Education (NCARE) is “the facility of tomorrow, brought to you today.” NCARE is a first of its kind, non-public, not-for-profit center serving the needs of families living with autism that integrates sound treatment and education through evidence-based, research supported approaches.
The Research and Development Center will seek to discover advancements and knowledge concerning autism through various methods of medical and scientific research. These methods will be extensive and will not be limited by the norms of the past. They will include such methods as behavioral research and gene therapy. NCARE’s mission is to achieve advances in research, education and treatment modalities in order to transform the lives of individuals, their families, the community and those with autism worldwide.
NCARE is providing a high quality learning model for those students whose behaviors related to autism have excluded them from being a part of a comprehensive public campus. At NCARE, all students have the ability to learn and when given the appropriate program(s), an individual’s behavior can and will improve. NCARE seeks to replace negative behaviors with positive actions through multi-sensory instruction by certified professionals. Onsite staff include a Speech and Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist, and Adaptive Physical Education Teacher plus a Resource Specialist to assist students with their needs according to their Individualized Education Program (IEP). Specialized services include tailored curriculum by certified instructors with experience in identifying specific needs and learning patterns of each student, along with pre-escalation experience through Alternatives to Restraint (ART) and Devereux Crisis Prevention & Intervention (CPI) techniques. Other teaching techniques include Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH) an evidence-based service for individuals of all ages and skill levels with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is used for image recognition for students with limited verbal communications skills.
NCARE is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization with its main office located at 5838 Edison Place, Suite 130, Carlsbad, CA. 92008.
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http://www.myncare.org
Carlsbad Non-Profit Now Accepting Enrollment for First-ever Autism-only Private School CARLSBAD, CA -- March 31, 2008 -- It's a first for San Diego County: a private school for autistic students. The National Center for Autism Research and Education (NCARE) has established the school in Carlsbad and is now accepting enrollment. NCARE is filling the void faced by thousands of families in San Diego County who have not been able to find localized education and counseling services to fit all their autistic children's needs. NCARE's commitment is to provide educational programs and outpatient clinic services that empower productive lives from one convenient location. With certified instructors, staff, and researchers onsite, NCARE is pioneering family-focused services that will assist responsive autistic students with integrating into society.
The Carlsbad facility is the flagship of 25 private schools with planned expansion nationwide within five years. The need for autism-only private schools is evident by the phone calls from out-of-state parents of autistic children who are inquiring about its opening. "Parents tell us, ‘If my child could say "Mom" by the time he is 18, then the education will have been worth it,’" according to Keith Berglund, President of NCARE. "Others are hoping their child will be able to verbally communicate with them, be independent to care for themselves, and to have meaningful relationships," says Kevin Robertson, NCARE Director of Business Development. As a result, NCARE is pioneering reverse mainstreaming at Mission Pacific High School, a private, high-tech high school in Carlsbad, to assimilate autistic students with neurotypical students. Neurotypical students who wish to pursue careers in special education and research will have the ability to interact with NCARE students. The purpose of reverse mainstreaming is to prepare responsive, autistic young adults to function independently within society and the workforce. NCARE is focused on providing individualized services that assist students in reaching their maximum potential.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in 150 people is diagnosed with a form of autism. The divorce rate among families living with autism is 82%. NCARE is committed to providing family counseling services for spouses and siblings to promote unity. Most children will not develop speech after age 6 if they are not speaking by that time. To pick up where early intervention ends, NCARE students range from ages 8-22. Currently there are only 3 Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) certified instructors and 17 facilitators state-wide. NCARE will be training all of its teachers to become certified PECS facilitators. Key personnel will also have the opportunity to become certified PECS instructors. All NCARE teachers are highly credentialed according to the California Department of Education requirements. The class size will range from 1 certified staff member : 1 or 2 lower functioning students on the spectrum; to 1:5 or 6 higher functioning students with Asperger’s Syndrome, depending on the student’s responsiveness to group size. Also offered are before and after school care.
The organization is committed to becoming the leaders in the advancement of autism research, education and training as well as a dedicated community partner. NCARE’s planned national expansion will take place over the next five years respectively:
Region 1 - West: Carlsbad, CA • Temecula, CA • Las Vegas, NV • San Francisco, CA • Portland, OR • Seattle, WA • Honolulu, HI
Region 2 - Midwest: Denver, CO • Dallas, TX • Kansas City, MO • Chicago, IL • Indianapolis, IN • Detroit, MI • Milwaukee, WI
Region 3 - Southeast: Miami, FL • Atlanta, GA • Charlotte, NC • Richmond, VA • Jacksonville, FL
Region 4 - Northeast: Washington, D.C. • Manhattan, NY • Trenton, NJ • Boston, MA • Philadelphia, PA • Cincinnati, OH • Brooklyn, NY
For more information on NCARE’s educational offerings or how to support NCARE’s initiatives, contact Kevin Robertson, Director of Business Development, at (760) 438-8600, or email to
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
About NCARE The National Center for Autism Research and Education (NCARE) is "the facility of tomorrow, brought to you today." The first of it’s kind, NCARE is a non-public, not-for-profit school serving the needs of students with autism by integrating sound treatment and education through evidence based, research supported approaches.
NCARE is providing a high quality program for those students whose behaviors related to autism have excluded them from being a part of a comprehensive public campus. At NCARE, all students have the ability to learn and when given the appropriate program(s), an individual’s behavior can and will improve. NCARE seeks to replace negative behaviors with positive actions through multi-sensory instruction by certified professionals. Onsite staff include a Speech and Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist, and Adaptive Physical Education Teacher plus a Resource Specialist to assist students with their needs according to their Individualized Education Program (IEP). Specialized services include tailored curriculum by certified instructors with experience in identifying specific needs and learning patterns of each student, along with pre-escalation experience through Alternatives to Restraint (ART) and Devereux Crisis Prevention & Intervention (CPI) techniques. Other teaching techniques include Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH) an evidence-based service for individuals of all ages and skill levels with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is used for image recognition for students with limited verbal communications skills.
The Research and Development Center will seek to discover advancements and knowledge concerning autism through various methods of medical and scientific research. These methods will be extensive and will not be limited by the norms of the past. They will include such methods as behavioral research and gene therapy. NCARE’s mission is to achieve advances in research, education and treatment modalities in order to transform the lives of individuals, their families, the community and those with Autism worldwide.
NCARE is a 501 (c) 3 with it’s principle office is located at 5838 Edison Place, Suite 130 Carlsbad CA 92008. For more information call (760) 438-8600.
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