Mission:

“to improve the quality of life of children and adults with metal retardation, autism, and other developmental disabilities through advocacy, community awareness, family support, and direct programs.”

 

Community Education:

     Our community education program is available to any organization/ business in the Savannah community.  We provide speakers to talk about our programs, and the needs and challenges of people with disabilities.  This gives us the opportunity to share our own stories so that the community begins to understand what challenges people with disabilities face and how we can help them.    

 

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Programm::

One of the leading causes of mental retardation in the United States and the only cause that is 100% preventable is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.  FAS is caused by women consuming alcohol during their pregnancy.  There is NO safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy!  The most damage to a baby from alcohol happens within the first 4 weeks!  The Kicklighter Resource Center continues to be committed to educating the community on FAS and increasing community awareness.  Kicklighter offers FAS awareness program in which we speak at local schools to educate students on the dangers of FAS.

 

Advocacy::

When a child is diagnosed with a disability, the parents are often told what their child may never do.  Here at Kicklighter, we offer that child a chance for a brighter future and help them learn what they CAN do.  Our advocacy program comes into place after that diagnosis of an individual for a disability has been made.  Parents and caregivers can be extremely overwhelmed during this initial period and we try to help them see things in a different light.  Advocacy provides a direction for families on where to start, what their options are, and where to go for support.  We have a program that offers 1 on 1 support in their own homes to prepare them for and help deal with the issues they will face after diagnosis.  Whether we can provide direct services at our center to families or refer them to where they can get help, we are always here for guidance and resources.      

 

Kicklighter Academy:

Kicklighter Academy is an early education program for children through 5 years of age.   In the academy, children with developmental disabilities are integrated with typically developing children in a 3 phase program.  Children who have behaviors that do not allow them to be in a classroom are given 1 on 1 attention with a special instructor.  During this time, the special instructor uses Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and Verbal Behavior.  As the children progress, they are given more time in the classroom with their typically developing peers.  Hopefully, by the time they reach the public school system, they will be able to function in a normal classroom setting, independently. The Academy is important for young children in learning to appreciate that every person is unique and has individual strengths and weaknesses. Most of all, children learn that everyone has the ability to make a contribution.  Kicklighter Academy is the areas only early education program for children with autism in southeast GA.  It is also the only one that offers ABA to children with Autism.  The academy has been designated one of only 6 schools who are able to receive the GA special needs scholarship and has been approved to offer its programs through 3^rd grade. 

The Kicklighter Resource Center, Inc. is in collaboration with: