FOCUS Center for Autism

FOCUS Center for Autism Because the “creatively wired and socially challenged” should not have to go it alone.

It was a pleasure hosting the Avon/Canton Chamber Of Commerce for this month’s Business After Hours! It was a fantastic ...
03/13/2026

It was a pleasure hosting the Avon/Canton Chamber Of Commerce for this month’s Business After Hours! It was a fantastic evening of networking and conversation. We fully embraced the March Madness spirit with hoops on the TVs and festive decorations throughout the building.

A huge shoutout to J Timothy's Taverne for the tasty food, the famous “Dirt” wings were a massive hit!

We feel so fortunate to be part of such a vibrant local community. It was wonderful connecting with familiar faces and meeting new ones alike. Thank you to everyone who stopped by and helped make the event a success!

The last two community outings for residents from Washington House, our Therapeutic Supportive Housing Program, were foc...
03/11/2026

The last two community outings for residents from Washington House, our Therapeutic Supportive Housing Program, were focused on connection, engagement, and spending time together.

The group went to the movies, which gave everyone a chance to relax, enjoy something together, and have some casual conversation outside of the residence. It was a simple outing, but those shared moments help build comfort and connection.

They also took part in an archery outing that offered a fun, hands-on challenge. Residents showed focus, patience, and encouragement toward one another throughout the activity, keeping a positive attitude while trying something new.

Both outings created opportunities for healthy recreation, social connection, and continuing to strengthen the sense of community within the group.

Sometimes the small moments show the biggest changes. Last week one of our students stepped outside of his comfort zone ...
03/09/2026

Sometimes the small moments show the biggest changes. Last week one of our students stepped outside of his comfort zone and tried a food he had always said he would never eat: instant ramen noodles. He had been seeing them around often because several of his classmates bring them in for lunch. After a while his curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to give them a try.

It turns out he liked them!

On the surface it may seem like a small moment, but it really highlights how much progress he has made with flexibility and trying new things. Growth does not always appear in big milestones. Sometimes it shows up in everyday moments like this, reminding us that you never quite know where those breakthroughs will come from.

Finding ways to connect and learn is a big part of what we try to do every day. One of our students has been working on ...
03/06/2026

Finding ways to connect and learn is a big part of what we try to do every day. One of our students has been working on learning where musical notes land on the scale, and Ms. Cathy came up with a fun visual project to help meet him where he is in his understanding. When learning connects to something a student is already interested in, it tends to make the process more meaningful and easier to retain.

Along with working through the notes and putting them into songs, she has been incorporating art projects to help the concepts stick in memory. The visual element helps reinforce the learning while also giving the student another way to express and process what he is working on.

They have also been playing a musical memory game where the student identifies different instruments and place them into the appropriate category. Activities like this keep things engaging while still building skills and understanding in a way that feels natural and fun.

Kindness is the highest form of emotional intelligence, and at Focus Center for Autism, it's at the core of everything w...
03/04/2026

Kindness is the highest form of emotional intelligence, and at Focus Center for Autism, it's at the core of everything we do. We believe that kindness isn't just something we teach — it's something we model, every single day. The environment we build together matters more than people realize.

When kids walk in and feel like they belong, everything shifts; and when they feel safe, kindness comes naturally. Our students face real challenges. When the environment is right, they rise in ways that constantly amaze us. Watching them show up for each other is honestly the best part of this work.

This week is National School Social Work Week, and we're taking a moment to celebrate the incredible social workers here...
03/02/2026

This week is National School Social Work Week, and we're taking a moment to celebrate the incredible social workers here at Fresh Start School!

From supporting students through tough moments to uplifting our teachers and keeping our school environment safe and welcoming — our social workers truly do it all. They wear so many hats, and we honestly can't imagine Fresh Start without them.

Thank you for everything you do. We see you, we appreciate you, and we're so glad you're part of our community.

We are excited to share that we have made another community connection. Thanks to a grant, we have partnered with Health...
02/27/2026

We are excited to share that we have made another community connection. Thanks to a grant, we have partnered with Healthtrax Avon to give some of our high school students the opportunity to visit their gym weekly on Fridays as part of PE. Students are learning from personal trainers how to use the equipment and what is expected in a gym setting. They have really enjoyed the experience so far and look forward to it each week.

When you least expect it, a small act of kindness can shift the entire day. Moments like these build connection and a se...
02/25/2026

When you least expect it, a small act of kindness can shift the entire day. Moments like these build connection and a sense of community, things our students especially crave.

We saw this last week when one of our middle school students made a bracelet for another student. As you can see from his smile, it had a meaningful impact. These unplanned moments help create a sense of safety, and when students feel safe, learning becomes much easier. Never miss an opportunity to be kind and make a difference!

While we are all stuck inside with another round of snow, some of us are enjoying the weather while others are thinking ...
02/23/2026

While we are all stuck inside with another round of snow, some of us are enjoying the weather while others are thinking about and wishing for warmer days. We all react differently. Here are some pictures of students enjoying both, to help while we are all inside!

A few of the residents from Washington House, our Therapeutic Supportive Housing Program, came together for a series of ...
02/20/2026

A few of the residents from Washington House, our Therapeutic Supportive Housing Program, came together for a series of engaging and energetic outings that encouraged connection, confidence, and fun.

The residents enjoyed a night out bowling, where they took the lead in selecting the music and even danced between turns, keeping the atmosphere upbeat and full of laughter. They also went to see an action-packed movie that they greatly enjoyed, which sparked excitement and shared conversation afterward. Another highlight was a trip to go axe throwing, where the group impressed everyone with their focus and skill. They performed exceptionally well.

Experiences like these offer meaningful opportunities to unwind, build confidence, and strengthen positive relationships. Whether through friendly competition, shared entertainment, or trying something new, these outings continue to foster connection and create lasting memories for our residents.

Our partnership with The Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts continues! Last week a group of our high school students were ...
02/18/2026

Our partnership with The Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts continues! Last week a group of our high school students were able to take part in the first of four sessions with their talented teachers. The students were looking forward to it all week and were so happy to be back. We feel so grateful for this connection!

At FOCUS, our approach is rooted in milieu therapy, meaning that the environment we create is foundational to the therap...
02/16/2026

At FOCUS, our approach is rooted in milieu therapy, meaning that the environment we create is foundational to the therapy we provide. We focus on fostering a sense of comfort and safety through how we set up the environment and through the positive relationships we build with our clients.

We understand that everyone has their own experience, and we are not here to tell clients what they are experiencing. Once we build that safe therapeutic connection, we aim to lovingly push our students toward approaches that could benefit them and help them navigate the bumps along the way. Through these positive relationships, we aim to build independence, resilience and encourage their journey for exploring and learning.

Address

Canton, CT

Opening Hours

Monday 8:15am - 2:45pm
Tuesday 8:15am - 2:45pm
Wednesday 8:15am - 2:45pm
3pm - 6pm
Thursday 8:15am - 1pm
Friday 8:15am - 2:45pm

Telephone

+18606938809

Website

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