When young adults with autism graduate from Birchtree’s
center-based program, they need to be ready for life beyond Birchtree. That’s why our center-based students participate in our
Students Achieving Independence for Life (SAIL) program from ages 14 through 21.
Every SAIL student has an individualized plan—developed in close partnership with students’ families and local agencies—to promote his or her independence for life.
Students receive intensive, hands-on instruction in four key areas:
- Vocational Skills
- Community Participation
- Lifelong Learning
- Independent Living
Vocational Skills
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| Charlie works alongside instructor Steva assembling a mailing for Exeter Adult Education. |
SAIL students offer light-assembly and mail-stuffing services for local businesses and nonprofits. This is just one of the “micro businesses” our students operate as part of their vocational training. For more information about the SAIL program’s business services,
click here.
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| Dakota sells a snack to Aidan at Birchtree’s school store. |
Birchtree’s older students stock and operate The Nook, our school store, as part of their vocational training. Students and staff of all ages shop at the store. Customers purchase snacks and drinks—as well as soups, salads, and other items created by the SAIL students. SAIL students also have jobs stocking and maintaining our vending machines, operating our school’s recycling program, and doing other important tasks throughout our school building.
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| Kyle develops his vocational skills volunteering at the YMCA of the Seacoast. |
Our clinical instructors work one-on-one with SAIL students to help them develop their vocational skills at our center and in the community. We strive to meet the vocational abilities and interests of every student.
Lifelong Learning
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| Steven uses his math skills to make an inventory of office supplies at The Birchtree Center. |
The SAIL program’s practical, experience-based instruction allows students to apply their academic skills in a variety of settings and prepares them to continue their education as adults.
Community Participation
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| Alex works out at the Seacoast Sports Clubs-Downtown. |
SAIL students develop the healthy habit of regular exercise by exercising in our school gym and at local fitness centers and pools. We also help students explore their leisure interests and establish community connections that will allow them to enjoy those leisure activities in adulthood.
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| Erich sorts donations to a Gluten-Free Food Drive operated by SAIL students. |
SAIL students learn to “give back” to our community through community-service projects. Last winter, students set up a food donation bin at the Portsmouth Hannaford, collected and sorted the items, and delivered the donations to the Seacoast Family Food Pantry.
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| Lauren works alongside instructor Emily planting at garden at the Portsmouth Public Library. |
During the summer, our students plant and maintain a garden at the Portsmouth Public Library. Students use produce from the garden for cooking lessons back at Birchtree.
Independent Living
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| Sam assembles a salad for his morning snack. |
Students with autism need intensive instruction and consistent practice to maintain the “life skills” essential to adult success, such as healthy eating, food preparation, cleaning, shopping, laundry, and personal hygiene. SAIL students use a fully-equipped kitchen and laundry area in our Life Skills Area to learn independent-living skills.
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| Connor selects a healthy lunch at a local grocery store while instructor Adam looks on. |
SAIL students travel throughout our neighborhood to develop essential “life skills” such as grocery shopping. This real-world instruction helps students prepare to maximize their independence and productivity as adults.
Want to help Birchtree’s students with autism to “SAIL”? You can underwrite practical, hands-on instruction in our community for all of Birchtree’s students by donating to our
Gift Cards for Independence campaign. You can
make a cash donation or donate a gift card for student-shopping lessons.
Gift cards can be mailed to:
The Birchtree Center
Attn: Gift Cards for Independence
2064 Woodbury Avenue, Suite 204
Newington, NH 03801
For more information about the SAIL program,
click here. To read a recent news article about the program,
click here.
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