Fresh Start School

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Fresh Start School A new beginning for your child starts here! Over time, the program evolved and grew. It is a gem of a program and we have open enrollment!

FOCUS Center for Autism was established in 2000 as a non-profit organization serving children and adolescents on the autism spectrum and other related disorders. As an evolution of our former day program, the Fresh Start School became a private, state approved special education program in October of 2016. Located in Canton, CT, Fresh Start School is approved for male and female students between 11 through 21 years of age. With certified special education teachers and licensed social workers on staff, the Fresh Start School fosters a supportive learning environment for its students. Students' emotional, physical, social, and educational needs are met using evidence based practices. Other services offered include speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and an extended school year program as needed for each student. Fresh Start School is a quality education experience that addresses both academic and clinical needs of all our students. For more information visit our website at focuscenterforautism.org or give us at a call at 860-693-8809.

10/09/2026

STEM on the move!

Our students had an incredible hands-on experience with Goodwin University’s Mobile STEM Lab! From experimenting with Snap Circuits and trying out a welding simulator to creating custom signs with laser engraving, there was no shortage of learning, creativity, and smiles.

A huge thank you to Goodwin University for bringing these exciting STEM experiences right to our school! We loved seeing our students explore, experiment, and discover new possibilities.

Last Tuesday, our transition students had the opportunity to take part in an apple picking volunteer project with Friend...
10/07/2026

Last Tuesday, our transition students had the opportunity to take part in an apple picking volunteer project with Friends of Holcomb Farm, and we were excited to be part of such a great community effort. Students spent the morning picking apples that will be transported to Holcomb Farm, where they will be distributed through their Fresh Access program, providing fresh produce to more than 600 households each week throughout the growing season and beyond.

Our students had a great time working together and getting outside while seeing how their efforts could help others in the community. It was a great opportunity to give back, build teamwork and work skills, and be part of something bigger than themselves. Thank you to Holcomb Farm for providing this opportunity!

Happy World Teachers' Day to the incredible teachers who make up such an important part of our FOCUS team! The dedicatio...
10/05/2026

Happy World Teachers' Day to the incredible teachers who make up such an important part of our FOCUS team! The dedication, patience, and passion you bring to your classrooms make a difference in the lives of our students every day. Thank you for continuing to meet our students where they are, support them through their challenges, and help them recognize their own strengths and possibilities. We appreciate everything you do and are so grateful to have you as part of the FOCUS family!

10/02/2026

One of the students in the transition program at Fresh Start chose to make fried dough biscuits as part of his occupational therapy (OT) activity and invited his classmates to participate. Each student took on a specific responsibility, allowing everyone to contribute to the baking process while practicing teamwork, following directions, and safely using kitchen tools. An important part of the transition program is helping students develop independent living skills they can use at home and in the community. Activities like this give students the opportunity to practice those skills in a fun and meaningful way while working together and, of course, enjoying a delicious treat they created as a group.

Occupational and speech services are provided through our partnership with , whose therapists come into Fresh Start School to work with students who need OT and speech therapy. We are so grateful for this partnership and the opportunities it provides our students!

Two residents of Washington House, part of the Therapeutic Supportive Housing Program, enjoyed a fall outing to Lyman Or...
09/30/2026

Two residents of Washington House, part of the Therapeutic Supportive Housing Program, enjoyed a fall outing to Lyman Orchards filled with seasonal activities and time outdoors. They worked together to navigate the corn maze, explored the orchard while picking apples, took in the scenery, and stopped at the market to browse some seasonal treats. The outing provided opportunities to make choices, work as a team, and enjoy a change of pace. When they returned home, they continued the experience by working together to make a homemade apple crisp with some of the apples they picked, giving them a chance to turn their outing into something they could enjoy together at home.

09/28/2026

Our job placements are about so much more than just getting out into the community and working. They give our students opportunities to build work stamina, learn how to work together, develop new skills, and become more comfortable being part of their community. Each placement gives students a chance to take on responsibilities, build confidence, and gain real-world experience. A special shoutout to Larson's Garden Center for continuing to welcome our students and giving them the opportunity to be part of their team. We are so grateful for the community connections that make these experiences possible and for all the ways our students continue to grow through them.

One of our students has been working on a really interesting project that connects to several things we have been learni...
09/25/2026

One of our students has been working on a really interesting project that connects to several things we have been learning about in class. In geography, his class has been learning about different environments and the natural resources they provide. While in biology they have been exploring life cycles and will soon be learning about plant life. Since this student has a strong interest in gardening, we thought a terrarium would be a great way to bring some of these concepts to life. He is creating a small ecosystem inside a closed plastic soda bottle, with plants, a rock, and some animals to create the look of a mountain region. The closed environment will create its own water cycle and allow him to see how the different parts of an ecosystem work together.

The project has also provided learning opportunities outside of the classroom. We took a trip to Home Depot to pick up some of the materials he needed, giving him another opportunity to practice planning, making choices, and navigating the community. He has really enjoyed working on his terrarium so far, and we are looking forward to seeing how it comes together. We will be sure to share some updates along the way!

Our transition students have been getting out into the community every other Friday as part of our new community outings...
09/23/2026

Our transition students have been getting out into the community every other Friday as part of our new community outings, and it has been great to see where these experiences take us. We have been exploring local parks, trails, and other community spaces, while giving students the opportunity to share some of their own ideas for places they would like to visit. Some students even suggested places in their own neighborhoods. One student showed us a trail that he enjoys near his home, while another gave us a tour of his local park and showed us some of his favorite spots.

In the spirit of discovery, we also took the opportunity to visit a mindful labyrinth path that was located near the park. It was great to see our students sharing places that are meaningful to them and taking pride in showing others what their communities have to offer. Community is such an important part of growth and well-being, and these outings are a great way for our students to explore, connect, and discover new possibilities right in their own communities.

For the third consecutive year, Washington House residents enjoyed a day of fun and excitement at the Goshen Fair. The g...
09/21/2026

For the third consecutive year, Washington House residents enjoyed a day of fun and excitement at the Goshen Fair. The group explored the fairgrounds, where they had the opportunity to pet animals, try their hand at axe throwing, and enjoy a variety of carnival rides. Of course, no trip to the fair would be complete without indulging in some delicious fair food!

The outing was a great way for residents to enjoy the familiar tradition of returning to the Goshen Fair while creating new memories together. It offered a chance to get out into the community, experience different activities, and spend quality time enjoying each other’s company.

We’re excited to share that FOCUS Center for Autism has taken another important step toward reducing our carbon footprin...
09/18/2026

We’re excited to share that FOCUS Center for Autism has taken another important step toward reducing our carbon footprint. Fresh Start School now has solar power!

This project was more than two years in the making, and we’re thrilled to see it become a reality. Over the 30-year life of the system, it is estimated that we will see nearly $50,000 in utility savings, allowing us to put more resources toward the students we serve.

The environmental impact is just as meaningful and equivalent to saving 223,252 pounds of coal and growing 3,379 tree seedlings for 10 years!

A heartfelt thank you to PeoplesBank, Avangrid, KeyBank, and ConnectiCare for helping make this project possible.

This investment will have a lasting impact on our school, our students, and our environment!

Address

126 Dowd Avenue
Canton, CT
06019

Telephone

+18606938809

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