ABC School (Ages 6-22)

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Take a virtual tour of ABC School:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Selection of our Virtual Lessons / Resources on YouTube
Staff Bios
School Calendar
School Accountability Report Cards (SARC)
Additional Resources
ABC swimming fun is back!
Pictures from December 2020 Graduation
Pictures from our annual Halloween celebration

Take a virtual tour of ABC School:

ABC School is a non-public school that serves children and young adults from ages 6 to 22 that have autism and other developmental disabilities. ABC School offers community-based programming which provide students the opportunity to learn generalized skills that are transferable to daily real world settings in addition to the classroom environment. ABC School’s highly specialized curriculum and highly trained staff, excel in helping students who have been unable to succeed elsewhere. ABC School’s functional skills curriculum includes math, language arts, vocational training, culinary classes, art classes, music classes, travel training and self-help skills.

ABC School utilizes Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), TEACCH structured teaching methodologies, Pivotal Response Training, and Community Based Instruction (CBI). ABC School specializes in behavior management, offering a positive behavior support approach to maladaptive behaviors that prevent the student from being successful in a less restricted environment. Utilizing a team approach, students are regularly assessed to determine skill acquisition and maintenance in accordance with the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goals. ABC provides 1:2 staff to student support unless otherwise specified in a student’s IEP.

Workability vocational training and transition preparation program for students 16 years of age and older is provided. In this comprehensive program, students are assessed to identify areas of strength and employable skills and then matched with an employment opportunity in the local community. Students receive training to include: mock interview trials, job application practice, mobility training with public transportation, budgeting and banking skills, problem solving, and safety skills within the work environment. Additionally, Students receive on the job training through staff assistance and job coaching and bi-weekly paychecks!

Current Workability vocational training sites for students at the A Better Chance School:

Western Contra Costa Transit Authority (aka “WestCAT”)
Milo Foundation
RabbitEars Pet Supply
Courtyard Marriott Hotel
The Richmond Memorial Auditorium
Accurate Auto Body
The Watershed Project
East Bay Regional Park District

Graduating students of ABC School receive a Certificate of Completion and will transition from school to adult life with confidence, work skills and community experiences that will promote future success.

Schedule a Tour Today!
ABC School
Dr. Edith Molinier, Director of Special Education and Training
emolinier@calautism.org
(510) 262-1500, Ext. 101

Wearing a mask to protect my friends and teachers at ABC School

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Hi Community Members.
We deeply apologize if you’ve tried to call us to find out more information about our school and were not able to reach anyone. Working with our students keeps us all very busy but we would still like to help as much as possible. Here are some answers to some of your possible questions about our program.

Q: Does my child need to be diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) to attend ABC School?
A: Yes, we’re a specialized non-public school that focuses on ASD

Q: I was able to get my child diagnosed with autism at a young age. What should I do next?
A: It’s recommended that you contact the nearest Regional Center, an organization that supports families in need, and talk to them about getting a case manager to help you find resources to help your child. Click on https://www.dds.ca.gov/rc/listings/ for a list of Regional Centers in California. ABC School only serves students ages 6- 22. A Regional Center may be able to help you find schools, camps, residential facilities and agencies for individuals of all ages. Even support groups for families dealing with the stress of supporting someone with ASD.

Q: Is ABC School a private school?
A: ABC School is the youth department of the California Autism Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps individuals with developmental disabilities. Specifically, ABC is a contractor that partners with school districts to provide services.

Q: How do I enroll my child in ABC School?
A: ABC School will need the families/conservators/guardians to contact the special education department of the child’s school district and have their referral packet (the child’s file) sent to ABC for review and let the program specialist know that you’re looking for a placement at a non-public special education school. After ABC School reviews the child’s file, an in-person tour may be scheduled with the family, the child and program specialist. If the family feels that ABC School has the resources that’s needed to serve the child, they will be put on a wait list. When a space in your child’s classroom opens up, ABC School will contact the program specialist and the family to start the intake process.

Q: Could I drop by the school and take a look around before starting the process of contacting the district?
A: A virtual tour is available on our website and all in-person tours are by appointment only.

Q: How can I find out what my child’s school district is?
A: Contact the administration office of the last school they attended. If you’ve just moved to a new city, you can talk to the administration office of the nearest school when you register your child for enrollment and they will help you.

Q: Is it possible to deal directly with ABC School and not have the school district involved? What is the tuition to attend?
A: No. ABC’s only contracts with school districts to serve students with ASD. ABC School doesn’t charge individual families for services. ABC only partners with the school districts and charges them tuition for services. Also, the school district needs to be involved when it comes to your child’s Individual Education Planning meetings to discuss progress, additional services, and testing resources that could be provided by the school district.

Q: How many locations does ABC School have?
A: Our only location is 4138 Lakeside Dr., Richmond, CA 94806. This is in the East Bay Area of Northern California.

Q: We live in California but not the Bay Area. Does the ABC School/California Autism Foundation have information on services throughout all of the state?
A: No. We do not have information on services in Central or Southern California. The organization primarily works with school districts and agencies in the Bay Area of Northern California. We recommend families look into similar non-public special education schools and agencies that are closer to them to reduce the commute time for the child.

Q: Does ABC School have a residential facility for the students?
A: Unfortunately, no. You will have to contact the Regional Center for a list of residential facilities.

If you still have questions and would like to speak to one of our personnel, email is usually the best way to contact our administrative team members. Feel free to email or call during our designated chat times:

Monday- Thursday, 2:00pm-4:00pm,
and Fridays from 1pm-3pm.

Check our calendar for dates of operation.

Selection of our Virtual Lessons / Resources on YouTube

Hi Everyone,Happy Monday! Please find below our list of daily activities, plus the links to the videos.

Thanks so much! Please let me know if you have any questions or if you would like to video conference.

Have such a great week!
Jaycie

Monday:
Daily song: You Are My Sunshine

Suggested playlist:
1. Dancing In The Dark, Bruce Springsteen
2. Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It, Will Smith
3. I Got A Feeling, Black Eyed Peas

Daily Lesson: Water Play: Magnet fishing
What you’ll need: something large to put water in (ie: sink, tupperware, storage bin), water, refrigerator magnets, string

Optional: Stick
How to: tie one magnet to the end of your string. Fill container with water. Place all other magnets around the bottom of the container, making sure they’re not too close together. Use the magnet on a string to “fish” for the other magnets. You can tie your string to a stick you find outside for an added challenge.

Daily book: Pete The Cat: Play Ball!

Daily stretch: Jumping Jacks

Music

Lesson

Book

Stretch

Staff Bios

Teri Jasman
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

As a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA), I enjoy helping students to identify and build on their aptitudes, interests and motivation so that they can achieve more in school and life. I am proud to help empower those who have less reliable communication to gain agency of voice. I have provided consultation to A Better Chance School since 2016, developing positive behavior support plans, providing behavior consultation and training for staff and teachers. I have been in the field of special education for 25 years as an independent contractor providing behavior analytic services to schools, individuals and recreation programs. I received an MA in Special Education from San Francisco State University in 1999 and received BCBA certification in 2014.

Danielle Traeger
Speech Language Pathologist (SLP)

My name is Danielle Traeger, and I am the Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) at ABC! I grew up in Benicia, went to UC Santa Barbara for undergrad, and then to Northern Arizona University for my graduate program. I specialize in AAC (alternative and argumentative communication), and this is my 7th year working in schools with students who have complex communication needs.

Michelle Estrada
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant (SLPA)

Lisa Falcon Velásquez Lisa Falcon Velásquez
Administrative Assistant/ Behavior Assistant/Workability 1 Coordinator

Lisa is entering her 7th year at ABC School where her role falls into three areas; as behavior assistant, she is responsible for all data collection and collaborating with the school’s behaviorist on student behavior support plans. As an administrative assistant, she is also responsible for helping the Principal and the Assistant Director in complying with the State of California’s Department of Education requirements and staff training. She is also taking on a new role this year as ABC School’s Workability 1, job training, coordinator!

Lisa brings over 30 years of experience to our team. She has worked with children with special needs across the state in a variety of organizations including public and parochial schools, the YMCA and behavioral consultant firms. Prior to working in the field of special education, Lisa spent a decade working in the environmental lab industry, where she honed her analytical skills as a project manager.

Early in her career, Lisa spent 5 years as a cast member at Disneyland where she had a role in the Hunchback of Notre Dame show. In her spare time, you can find Lisa on the Berkeley Marina riding her bike or in her home studio painting.