Autism Intervention Programs

About the Nexus Program

• Who is eligible to participate?

  Children between the ages of 5 to 16 years who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders are eligible to participate in the Nexus Program. The Nexus Program serves up to 25 children at any given time. The child must have OPWDD eligibility to enroll.

• What sorts of activities does the Nexus Program use to help teach and reinforce social skills?

  Children engage in supervised small- and large-group activities that help to teach and reinforce social skills. The goals of our program are to provide an environment for your child to socialize, to foster your child’s relationships with other children in the program, and to develop your child’s social skills so they can better participate in home, school, and community settings.

• Where does the Nexus Program meet, and on what days and at what times?

  The Nexus Program meets on the campus of the State University of New York College at Plattsburgh (SUNY Plattsburgh). As part of the Center for Neurobehavioral Health Autism Intervention Programs, Nexus has dedicated space in Sibley Hall.

  The program meets on the following days and at the following times:

  • Fall Semester at the college — Saturdays from 12:30 to 3 p.m. for 12 weeks beginning in September and ending in December.

  • Spring Semester at college — Saturdays from 12:30 to 3 p.m. for 12 weeks beginning in February and ending in May.

  • Summer Months — Two mornings a week (TBA) from 9 a.m. to noon for six weeks beginning in July and ending in August.
• Who are the staff for the Nexus Program?

  The staff for the Nexus Program include two project directors and a project coordinator. These highly trained professionals include:

  Dr. Laci Charette, co-project director and an associate professor of school psychology at SUNY Plattsburgh. Dr. Charette also is a NYS licensed psychologist.

  Dr. Suzannah Chatlos, co-project director and an assistant professor of school psychology.

  Dr. Komlanste Gossou, project coordinator and a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA).

  Also, because we are on a college campus, we enjoy the support of both graduate and undergraduate students who work with Nexus Program participants as practicum students, interns, volunteers, and paid staff. These fully trained students work under the supervision of the program coordinator and/or the co-project directors of the program. They help your children succeed by prompting positive interactions, rewarding appropriate behavior, helping them to achieve personal goals, and teaching them to monitor their own progress.