Founded in 1817, ASD is the first permanent school for the deaf in the US, becoming a nationally renowned leader in providing comprehensive educational programs for deaf/hard of hearing children. In 2016, ASD expanded to provide critical educational supports for deaf, hard of hearing and hearing non-verbal students on the autism spectrum. ASD’s Autism program allows these students to benefit from a specialized therapeutic learning environment where their unique sensory needs can be met holistically. Research shows that sign language can help non-verbal children on the autism spectrum (even those without hearing loss) learn to communicate effectively, reducing frustration and improving behavior. ASD also has a Core program and a PACES program (for students with emotional/behavioral challenges). All programs are approved by the CT State Department of Education, New England Association of Schools/Colleges, Council on Accreditation, and Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools for the Deaf. ASD embraces an ASL/English Bilingual approach to provide a dual language foundation.