Contact: Melody Crane

Phone: 256-882-2457

Fax: 256-882-2459

Address: 1900 Gulf Road, Suite E, Huntsville, AL 35802

Website: www.TheRileyCenter.org

Early Education Program:
The Riley Center is pleased to announce a partnership with Huntsville Christian Church Preschool and Kindergarten. Beginning August 2008, students in the Riley Center's Early Childhood Program will participate in an inclusion program that is designed to promote generalization of skills, language and teach social skills in a typical preschool setting. During part of the day, our students join the children at HCC for activities which may include: outdoor play, calendar activities, learning center time, snack/lunch, art activities, and chapel time. HCC has a magnificent music program that we participate in daily. All inclusion is supported by Riley Center staff who have specialized training in autism. In addition, HCC students join Riley Center students to take part in an instructional social skills model called Integrated Play Groups. IPG are structured playgroups that utilize the natural childhood event of "playing" to address the unique needs brought about by autism. This program has documented benefits for both autistic and typical peers. As part of this partnership, peer training along with teacher and parent education in autism is offered. The Riley Center is extremely grateful for this opportunity and thanks the wonderful and compassionate director and staff at Huntsville Christian Church Preschool and Kindergarten for their outreach.