ABB donation will enhance learning, security for students with autism in Southampton, PA

ABB Foundation grant will be used for computers, software, and site security system for local education center that serves children and young adults with autism spectrum disorders

Warminster, PA, October 29, 2012—The ABB Foundation has donated a $15,531 grant to the Comprehensive Learning Center in Southampton, an educational facility for students with autism spectrum disorders. Hope Jarnagin, representing ABB, presented the donation to Amanda Flavell, Director of CLC, and Katherine Cashwell, a teacher at the center on October 25, 2012.

ABB Foundation is primarily funded through ABB employee contributions and provides financial assistance to charities to help improve the quality of life in communities where ABB employees live and work.

Jarnagin, an ABB Project Manager based in Warminster, PA, initiated the grant application. "These funds are destined to provide computer hardware and software, workshops, cameras, and a security system for the center," says Jarnagin. "My son has autism," she says, "and I wish he had been able to experience this kind of educational environment. That's why I wanted to help."

According to Flavell, the computers, iPads, Macbooks, and associated software, will serve for more than academic instruction. "They're helpful for teaching home living skills such as emailing and creating schedules and calendars," says Flavell. "Calendars and schedules help those with autistic disorders because deviations from routine require lead time and acceptance to be successful." She adds that iPads are compact and put all of the schedules and instructions in a single, easy to carry tool.

The computers and cameras will aid students in acquiring communication skills and retaining information. Rosetta Stone software for English, for example, helps those with autism acquire skills related to cadence, voice volume, and articulation when speaking. Videos help students retain instructions, since they can review a particular task on the iPad in exactly the same way as originally presented. Otherwise, they hear repeated instructions differently each time, leading to frustration and inappropriate behaviors.

Funding for the security system will prevent individuals from getting in or out of the building without a code. Many autistic individuals exhibit a "flight" response to stressful and frustrating situations. This happens often for those with communication deficiencies. Although all students at the CLC are supervised, it only takes a few seconds for a student to run full force out of a building.

"Running a center like this is expensive," says Michelle Meyer, President of the center. "We greatly appreciate private donations such as this check from the ABB Foundation. Thanks, Hope Jarnagin, for making it happen. You're living up to your name." 

 The CLC (http://www.clcschool.net/ ), a non-profit established in September of 2000, provides an educational environment for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. CLC families reside in Berks, Bucks, Chester, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. Students range from 3 to 21 years of age.

 ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in 100 countries and employs about 145,000 people. ABB’s North American operations, headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, employ more than 30,000 people in multiple manufacturing, engineering, service and other major facilities. ABB’s Measurement Products factory in Warminster, Pennsylvania produces flow, pressure, temperature and valve actuators for the US market and employees over 130 people.