ASD Program

What do we do?

Berrien RESA's Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) program provides a positive learning environment, enabling students to achieve and enhance self-confidence, self-esteem, independence, social acceptance, intellectual, and personal growth according to their Individualized Educational Program and Transitional Service Plan.

We are here for YOU!

Berrien RESA participates in the Statewide Autism Resources and Training (START) Project, a collaborative network that involves educators, support professionals, and families who come together to connect, share and grow to better teach students on the autism spectrum. The focus of the START Project is to utilize evidence-based practices in the areas of educational programming, professional development, and parent-professional collaboration.

Weather Closures

Please check your local news stations for the latest information relative to school closings and delays. Closures and delays are based on the school where your child’s classroom is located.

Student holding leash of therapy dog from The Bark Angels Program

This is what success looks like!

Friends from The Bark Angels Therapy Dog Program have been spending time with students in our ASD program to work on social interaction and engagement, and communication. Check out Bark Angel Ava and her handler, Kathryn, visiting with Kwantel!

The Bark Angels are a therapy dog group trained at The Petz Carlton in Benton Harbor. Each of the certified therapy dogs is handled by a trained volunteer and have current vaccinations and health records. The Bark Angels Therapy Dogs currently work with several organizations in our community including:

Spectrum Health Lakeland
Sonya Ansari Center for Autism at LOGAN
Boys and Girls Club of Benton Harbor
PACE of Southwest Michigan
Berrien Community Foundation
Pine Ridge Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
Therapeutic Equestrian Center

Resources

School Improvement Plan (BLC)
School Improvement Plan (LEC)
Procedural Safeguards
2019-2020 Student Parent Handbook

Parent information

Annual Education Report
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Advisory
Pest Management
Transportation Handbook

Sex Education Review

As part of the Michigan's Revised School Code, Berrien RESA has made the choice to teach students about health and sex education each school year. By doing this, we must follow rules outlined by the State which include a Health and Sex Education Advisory Board that must meet every two years for the purpose of updating and approving materials and adjust plans surrounding the law, practices, data and implementation of health and sex education.

While Berrien RESA had plans of beginning this review in April 2020, with the unforeseen cancellation of in-person instruction due to COVID-19 that started March 16, 2020 and goes through the remainder of the school year, Berrien RESA cannot complete all the requirements and allow equal access to all communities members during this time. Because of this, the review will go past the two-year time frame and will be completed during the first part of the 2020-2021 school year.

Nondiscrimination Clause/Title IX

It is the policy of the Berrien Regional Education Service Agency not to discriminate in its policies and practices with respect to compensation, terms, or conditions of employment because of an individual's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, height, weight, marital status, political belief, genetic information, disability or handicap which does not impair an individual's ability to perform adequately in that individual's particular position or activity.

Title IX Coordinator/Compliance Officer and for all other concerns:
Lynda Hurlow, Executive Director of Human Resources

Title IX Investigators: Kevin Clark, Technology Services Director and Lynda Hurlow, Executive Director of Human Resources

Title IX Decision Maker: Chris Machiniak, Assistant Superintendent

Title IX Appeals: Eric Hoppstock, Superintendent

Berrien RESA
711 St. Joseph Avenue
Berrien Springs, MI 49103

For procedural information, please review NEOLA Board Policy No. 2260

Please note that some pages on the Berrien RESA website contain links to third-party sites (including social media platforms). Berrien RESA is not responsible for the online content or accessibility of third-party sites, which do not relate to Berrien RESA programs, services and activities.