CONNECTIONS INTERNSHIP CONSORTIUM

General Information

New Connections Academy (NCA) is a private therapeutic day school in Palatine, Illinois (west suburbs of Chicagoland in Cook County) serving a diverse population of children, adolescents and young adults ages 6-22 who require an alternative therapeutic school program that is both educational and therapeutic due to significant special education and mental health concerns and needs.  Specifically, NCA’s program is designed to promote success with clients with an educational eligibility of Autism or a current DSM diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD Level 1).  NCA provides specialized teaching and treatment specific to the needs and features of individuals with Autism.  CIC Interns at NCA are afforded the opportunity to engage in individual, group, and family therapy, risk assessment and crisis management with clients with a variety of intersectionality in their identity.  Additionally, Interns at NCA are trained to utilize the SCERTS® (Social Communication, Emotional Regulation, Transactional Support) educational and therapeutic model to determine the student’s developmental level and areas in need of improvement related to social communication and emotional regulation skills. NCA provides a therapeutic milieu with a full array of related services, CIC Interns have the opportunity to receive experience in consultation and multi-disciplinary team collaboration with professionals from the following disciplines: Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Animal Assisted Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Psychiatric Services, School Health (Nursing) Services, Restorative Intervention Specialists, Vocational Counselors, and Licensed Special Education Teachers. CIC Interns at NCA also have involvement in collaborating with the extended day program, which is designated for students who need more structure and a continuation of skill building during after-school hours. 

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