Program Overview

ACES NEST (Nurturing Early Support and Transition) is a regional, intensive preschool program housed at Perry Hill School in Shelton, designed to provide highly individualized, evidence-based instruction for children with autism and related disabilities. Grounded in the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), ACES NEST delivers instruction in a collaborative, language-rich environment that prioritizes early intervention and prepares students for lifelong learning. To maximize developmental progress during this critical period, the program front-loads support with a robust team that includes a full-time Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), a certified special education teacher, a full-time speechlanguage pathologist (SLP), and 1:1 Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) assigned to each student. Classrooms operate in morning and afternoon sessions, with a maximum of 10 students per classroom, ensuring an exceptionally highlevel of individualized attention and support. Students receive individualized instruction targeting communication, socialemotional development, adaptive behavior, and pre-academic skills. Daily activities incorporate structured opportunities to develop classroom readiness, such as following routines, participating in group instruction, and building task engagement. Additionally, social skills training is embedded throughout the day, helping children learn how to initiate and maintain peer interactions, regulate emotions, and navigate social expectations. ACES NEST offers a supportive and nurturing setting that is both structured and flexible, tailored to meet the diverse needs of its learners.

What Makes Us Different

What Makes Us Different Program Benefits ACES NEST (Nurturing Early Support and Transition) is a unique and innovative program that stands apart from traditional early childhood special education services. As an intensive, early intervention ABA program housed within a public school setting, it offers students the benefits of individualized, high-dosage support in a real-world educational environment. Designed exclusively for the preschool years, ACES NEST focuses on building critical foundational skills during the most pivotal stage of development, when research shows that early Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) intervention has the greatest long-term impact. Unlike programs that span multiple grade levels, ACES NEST is intentionally time-limited and outcomes driven: the goal is to front-load services and accelerate student progress so that children are well-prepared to transition back to their home school district for kindergarten or to another agreed upon specialized program. This focused investment of resources during early childhood not only maximizes student growth but also supports long-term inclusion and success within public school settings.