Valley Program

More than 20 years ago, the Region III Superintendents recognized the need for a specialized public school program serving children with autism and related learning differences from preschool through eighth grade in the Northern Valley area. Working together with neighboring special education regions, they established a program focused on providing high-quality, research-based instruction while creating meaningful opportunities for students to learn and grow alongside their peers in the community.

Originally known as PIE PLUS, the program was developed through the collaboration of parents, educators, administrators, and specialists. The first consulting partnership was with the Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center at Rutgers University. Following the successful launch of two preschool classrooms, the program partnered with the Eden Family of Services in Princeton, New Jersey, whose expertise further strengthened the program's development.

In its fourth year, the program was renamed the Valley Program, reflecting its continued growth and expanding partnerships. During this time, Region II joined Northern Valley in providing services, followed by Region V the next year with the addition of classrooms at River Dell Middle School.

Today, the Valley Program serves students ages 3 through 21 in a supportive, inclusive learning environment. The program includes 24 classrooms, with nine located within traditional school settings to encourage appropriate inclusion opportunities. Preschool students participate alongside peers in the Little Tots Preschool Program, while older students benefit from age-appropriate educational experiences. In the 2016–2017 school year, the Summit Program was established in partnership with the Northern Valley Regional High School Special Education Department to support young adults on the autism spectrum, ages 18–21, as they prepare for greater independence and life beyond high school.

Program Highlights

The Valley Program is built on evidence-based practices and individualized instruction designed to help every student reach their full potential.

Our program includes:

Leadership and oversight by nationally certified professionals in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
Low student-to-staff ratios, including 1:1 support for preschool students and approximately 2:1 support in primary and upper elementary classrooms, with additional staff provided as outlined in each student's Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Up to 6.5 hours of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) instruction each school day.
Comprehensive speech and language services provided by master's-level speech-language pathologists through individual therapy, small-group instruction, classroom-based consultation, and pragmatic language support.
Occupational and physical therapy services delivered according to each student's IEP.
Regular communication with families through parent conferences and written progress reports issued four times each year.
Parent training and support for families of newly enrolled students, helping caregivers reinforce classroom strategies at home and in the community.
Inclusion opportunities with typically developing peers whenever appropriate, promoting meaningful social interaction and participation.
Community-based learning experiences that foster social skills, independence, appropriate behavior, and the ability to apply learned skills in real-world settings.

The Valley Program remains committed to providing compassionate, individualized, and research-based education that empowers students to thrive academically, socially, and within their communities.

PTO P&V Inc., established in April 1995, is a non-profit dedicated to supporting children with Autism and related disabilities through fundraising, which funds educational aids, enrichment programs, and community experiences that foster development and enthusiasm for learning. It also serves as a platform for parents, teachers, and administrators to build support networks, ensuring a collaborative approach to enhancing the children's growth and success.

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