DAY SERVICES

Alternatives operates several day habilitation programs in which people have a variety of opportunities to develop life skills and receive the therapeutic supports they need to maximize their daily functioning. Services are specifically tailored to each individual’s needs and preferences. Skill development focuses on community safety, social interaction, communication, sensory-motor integration, self-care, personal management, community integration, and fine and gross motor coordination. Programs arrange learning activities in specially structured scenarios, originally developed at the University of Kansas, that maximize successful task completion while minimizing the need for staff assistance.

Support services provided by program Nurses and specialized consultants include: regular health and wellness activities, medication administration, health screenings and monitoring, speech and language assessments and therapy, behavior analysis and behavioral support strategies, occupational and physical therapy evaluations and therapeutic programs. Consultants also provide input on environmental design and train our staff in the appropriate use of adaptive equipment.

Each program also creates a variety of realistic applied learning opportunities in local community settings. Examples include swimming at community pools, horseback riding, recycling, shopping, doing laundry, using restaurants and volunteering in other community organizations.

Over time each program has created a specialized focus with two developmental learning centers in Whitinsville and Hopedale, two behavioral support centers in Worcester and Wrentham and a senior enrichment program in Douglas.