Anderson Center for Autism

What it reported doing in 2024

The second largest program is children's education program funded by the New York state education department for children with autism and other developmental disabilities. The children in this program are between the ages of 5 - 21. The children are enrolled and referred to the program by the chairperson of the special education associated with their local family school district and county. Aca students exhibit a wide range of functional levels, skills and abilities, often with moderate to severe learning, communicative and behavioral disorders.the education program incorporates teaching and learning methodologies that are based in a positive behavioral supports model, utilizing proactive and support strategies to assist students as they learn and grow. (continued on schedule o)in addition, behavioral analytic teaching strategies, interventions and evaluative data review are embedded into the school's infrastructure. Direct instruction, discrete trial teaching, visual and environmental supports, sensory supports and communication supports are utilized as appropriate. The continuum of services varies among classrooms as the focus of classroom instruction is aligned with the age and ability levels of students. The program for students in elementary age classrooms addresses school readiness behaviors (sitting, listening to a speaker, taking turns, etc), academic functioning and social skills development. Middle school age classroom programs focus on academic and functional academic development, social skills and vocational learning opportunities. Programs for students 16 and over focus on functional academic and/or life skills development as well as the inclusion of transition/vocational learning and training opportunities. All classrooms strive to provide a communication rich learning environment where communicative supports are readily available to all students. Working within a collaborative interdisciplinary model, behavior specialist/analysts, speech and occupational therapists provide consultative and direct services within the classroom environment. Certified special educators then embed appropriate student specific supports into ongoing classroom, lessons and activities.individualized goals and objectives are identified for each student and target pivotal skill areas such as communication, social interaction, organization and independent life skills. Special educators plan content based lessons using a curriculum that reflects ny state learning standards. Student progress and learning is shared with families in a variety of ways including quarterly individualized education program reports, quarterly report cards, meetings, phone conversations with case managers or teachers and email correspondence.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 86.7%; rating input score 87
• Program expense ratio: 87.4%; rating input score 87
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 62nd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Pass
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Yes; rating input score 100

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -0.9%; rating input score 27; 27th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.2; rating input score 43; 43rd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.35; rating input score 41; 41st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 2.7%; rating input score 70; 70th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 4.9% per year; rating input score 100; 41st percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 4.3% per year; rating input score 100; 37th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 9.9% per year; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings