Our Challenge

The Palm Beach School for Autism faces a major roadblock in its ability to provide for the growing need of children with autism spectrum disorder in the Tri-County area (Palm Beach, Broward & Martin Counties).

The biggest weakness we face is our facility. PBSFA leases seven cottages across 16-acres on the grounds of an antiquated hospital. It is challenging to manage seven cottages that are not under one roof. The cost to outfit and maintain each cottage with basic needs is not cost effective or efficient. Some of the facility issues we have are: frequent loss of power, poor air conditioning, tiny classrooms, lack of large meeting space and lunch room, no teacher work space, and no playground for the east side of campus (currently the children play in an empty dirt field).

The cottages were built in 1954 and are not able to properly handle today’s technological needs leading to ongoing computer system instability. PBSFA promotes the benefits of new technology. While PBSFA tries to provide students access to current technology, this is not always possible. With greater accessibility to technology, student productivity is increased which enables improved learning through exposure to relevant new information. This can open up new opportunities for students both within school and their home community.