Bridge
Program
We are committed to intensive support for complex communication needs. Our high staff-to-student ratio ensures that your child receives the focused attention they require to develop communication skills and navigate their world with confidence.
Building Communication and Connection
Each student's journey begins in their own dedicated space – a secure foundation from which to explore and grow.
Through personalized support and proven communication tools, students develop the confidence to express themselves, whether using speech, technology, or alternative methods.
Success looks different for each student: confidently ordering lunch in the cafeteria, letting us know they need a break, or joining a peer activity. These small victories lead to bigger achievements as students build trust in their abilities and their environment.
Success Story
A recent milestone perfectly captures what makes our Bridge Program special. Eleven students, nine using communication devices, went out to eat at a local restaurant together. For many, this was a breakthrough moment years in the making.
The preparation was extensive. Our staff worked with the students to create social stories preparing them for what to expect. Coordinating with the restaurant in advance helped make the experience smooth, fun, and well supported.
For our faculty and staff, watching these students confidently navigate this experience inspired such high emotions. Some had been with us since they were young children, and now here they were, enjoying a meal out together like any group of friends.
Perhaps most meaningful, however, was seeing the students' pride in their own achievement. Through their various communication methods, they each shared their excitement about choosing their own meals, spending time with friends, and planning their next outing.
These are the moments that remind us why we do this work – when years of patient, consistent support transform into real-world independence and joy.
For Bridge Program students, success means growing toward their next steps – whether that's transitioning to another NSM program, participating in community activities more independently, or joining our Burelli Farms Alumni Program.
We start planning these transitions early, assessing each student's readiness and creating individualized paths forward.
