Mission Statement
Pattison’s Academy will improve the quality of life for children with multiple disabilities by providing a comprehensive
education and rehabilitation program in a school environment.
See our Stratigic Business Plan Here
What we are doing
Through two initiatives, Pattison's Summer School and Pattison's Academy, children with
severe and multiple disabilities will be exposed to a community inclusive rehabilitative program that is completely intergrated with an
educational environment. Our goal will be to maximize each child's education and function, while preventing and slowing secondary
deficits.
Pattison's Summer School, which began in summer 2006, fills a huge community void. A summer program for children with severe
and mulitple disabilities is an opportunity for these children to get continuing therapy services during the time when the public school
system is closed.
Many children regress due to the lapse in interaction and therapy during the summer months and their parents must find and pay
for care givers who are often not qualified to care for a disabled child. This summer program is the only one of its kind in
the lowcountry to offer specialized services to children 1 to 12 years old with severe disabilities. Each child's individualized needs
are recognized and met by the summer school team.
The children who attend our summer program and the staff who works with them, also have the knowledgeable support of MUSC
physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy graduate students. The summer program, while providing daily team approach
therapies, offers regular community outings and FUN!
Our objective for summer school is for each child to have an enriched and engaging summer experience while maintaining or
surpassing his or her current levels of skill and function. There will be two sessions of summer school in 2008: Session 1 will be
held at Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church's Education Building known as Grace Hallis from June 23 to July 11. Session 2 will be held
at Bethany United Methodist Church in Summerville from July 21 to August 8. OUr summer program operates 9:00am to 3:00pm
Monday through Friday. The cost for each week will be $150 per week and children have the option of applying for Session 1, Session
2, or Both. You may download the 2008 application or contact us if you
have questions.
We also have several paid positions for the camp as well as volunteer positions. Check out our Job Descriptions .
The School
Pattison's Academy will be a year-round school where students, 2 to 12 years of age will receive an individualized
quality education and therapies from some of the area's top professionals. Pattison's Academy is projected to open in the fall of
2009. After researching funding sources in the area and across the state, Pattison's Academy is going to pursue charter school
status. It is the intent of Pattison's Academy to provide services to children in Charleston County as well as Dorchester and Berkeley
Counties. However, there is much to be done to achieve that goal.
We would serve as a resource for training and best practices for all three counties as well as provide hands on clinicial
experience to therapy and education graduate students in the area. Eventually, we would like to offer preschool services and educational
oppotunities for children beyond the age of twelve as well as possibly provide services to chidren with autism. The demand and
possiblities are endless.
A possible location central to Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley counties is being sought. The school will open with
20 students: 17 full time and 3 short-term. The short-term openings will be available to children who are in need of intensive
rehabilitation, but temporarily cannot attend the school they are currently enrolled in due to lack of specialized services
available.
Please contact us for more information or to make suggestions!
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