About Us
Who We Are
Beyond the Spectrum is a nonprofit education center and therapeutic clinic serving students ages 5 and older in Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte Counties diagnosed with autism, Down syndrome, ADHD, and related developmental disorders. We offer four specialized programs for learners that focus on different areas of growth: academic, functional/vocational, and foundational. Beyond the Spectrum is an Accredited Member School as deemed by the standards of the Association of Independent Schools of Florida and the National Council for Private School Accreditation, where high school students can earn modified credits to graduate with a diploma. Our organization also hosts a wide variety of therapies throughout the school day to enhance our students' learning experiences, including speech, ABA, OT, PT, and mental health counseling. Additionally, we have an Applied Behavioral Analysis Therapy Clinic on our campus where clients work one-on-one with registered behavioral therapists to increase their self-advocacy and independent abilities.
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Our History
Beyond the Spectrum opened its doors in 2007 for learners with intellectual and developmental disabilities as a specialized option for families in need of accessible, affordable education services. Inspired by their own son with autism, Kevin, Catherine and Chris Peabody worked with several other families to ensure BTS’s structure and programming effectively addressed each learner’s ABCs-their Anxieties first, Behaviors second, and Curriculum third-and we still carry on this methodology today. What began as one classroom has now evolved into four academic programs and three ABA therapy clinics, and we only hope to grow from here!
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At Beyond the Spectrum, we believe that every child deserves to be loved and accepted for who they are. We are here to support both the children and families of our community affected by intellectual and developmental disabilities. Let us show how the environment at Beyond the Spectrum can impact your learner's life. ​
