What are the opening hours?

Monday 8:15am - 2:45pm Tuesday 8:15am - 2:45pm Wednesday 8:15am - 2:45pm 3pm - 6pm Thursday 8:15am - 1pm Friday 8:15am - 2:45pm

FOCUS Center for Autism

Home
United States
Canton, CT
FOCUS Center for Autism

Because the “creatively wired and socially challenged” should not have to go it alone.

06/16/2026

What an incredible day today was at the Fore Autism Charity Golf Tournament!

We were fortunate to have amazing weather and The Ranch Golf Club was beautiful, creating the perfect setting for a day of golf and community.

A heartfelt thank you to all of our sponsors, golfers, volunteers, and supporters who made this event such a tremendous success, not only this year, but every year!

As the largest fundraiser for the Fresh Start School, the Fore Autism Charity Golf Tournament has a tremendous impact on the students and families we serve. Because of your support, we can continue providing meaningful opportunities and resources that help our students thrive.

Thank you for helping us make a difference, one swing at a time. We are grateful for each and every one of you and look forward to seeing you again next year!

06/12/2026

Today was Derby Day at the Fresh Start School!

Our students have been working all year long on designing, building, and making modifications to a wooden derby car, all in preparation for this culminating event… Derby Day!

As part of the event today, students ran their derby cars down the track and got to make calculations on the speed of their cars. In the end, all students received a certificate of achievement for all of their hard work and had fun cheering each other on.

We want to extend a hearty thank you to the STEM LAB Team from Goodwin University, who partnered with us throughout the school year to make this event as successful as it was.

06/10/2026

Did you know that we all stim? In people with autism, it can sometimes appear as "unusual” behavior like body rocking or hand flapping, but more subtle behaviors like fidgeting, toe tapping, or twirling your hair are all forms of stimming too! We engage in these behaviors to help self regulate, and it's important to understand that even if someone may be engaging in a stim that can be less tolerated by others (such as making loud noises, full body rocking, or pacing) there are valid reasons for why the behavior is happening.

That doesn't mean the goal is to take the stimming away. Stimming serves a purpose, and for many people it's an important tool for regulation and coping. Instead, the focus can be on working together to find appropriate times or places to stim, or exploring alternative stims if the person is ready and wants support with that. The goal is understanding and collaboration, not forcing someone to stop a behavior that is helping them regulate.

06/08/2026

We recently had a section of fencing at Fresh Start School replaced, and our students were very interested in the whole process. They enjoyed watching the work being done, asking questions, and seeing how everything came together from start to finish.

What made this project even more meaningful is that Matt Bregman, who completed the work, is a FOCUS alumnus. Also, one of the people helping him was a current resident named Dillon, who lives in our Young Adult Supportive Housing program. Seeing members of our community giving back and putting their skills to work in such a visible way was special for both our students and staff. The finished fence looks great, but it's the connections behind it that make projects like this so rewarding to see.

06/05/2026

Last Thursday we were excited to host a STEM Exploration Day in collaboration with Goodwin University and open it up to the community. Along with our students, we welcomed other schools and guests who had the opportunity to experience many of the same hands-on activities that Goodwin's Mobile Manufacturing Lab has been bringing to our program over the past two years. It was great to see so many people learning, exploring, and trying new things together.

We’re incredibly grateful for the partnership we’ve built with Goodwin University. Their team has provided our students with so many opportunities to explore STEM in a fun and engaging way, and that connection has grown into something that benefits FOCUS as a whole. It’s always exciting to see our students exposed to new experiences, and we appreciate everyone who helped make the day such a success.

06/03/2026

Spare Time in Bristol has been a great spot where the residents of Washington House, part of the Therapeutic Supportive Housing Program, have now gone to on three separate occasions. They loved taking part in bowling, laser tag, and arcade activities. These outings offered a mix of teamwork, friendly competition, and shared enjoyment, allowing residents to connect in an environment that is both structured and fun. The variety of activities encouraged participation from all group members and supported the development of social skills, confidence, and cooperation.

The residents have consistently expressed how much they enjoy this location, often requesting to return. Staff at the venue have been welcoming and supportive, contributing to a positive and inclusive experience that helps residents feel valued and respected within the community.

Overall, these outings have provided residents with opportunities to strengthen peer relationships, practice appropriate social interactions, and engage in healthy recreation, reinforcing the program’s goals of community integration and personal growth.

06/01/2026

We had a special visitor stop by this week: Dexter the ferret!

It's always amazing how much excitement a small animal can bring. What started as a quick visit quickly turned into a bit of an event around the school. As you can see from the photos, our students were thrilled to meet Dexter and spend some time with him.

Our students always love when animals come to visit. There's just something about it that brings people together and creates a lot of smiles. Before long, students and staff were stopping by to say hello, making it feel like a little community event. Sometimes it's the simple things that end up making the biggest impact on everyone's day.

05/29/2026

Last Friday our Fresh Start students had the chance to take a field trip to Goodwin University. Usually their Mobile Manufacturing Lab comes to us, but this time we got to visit them on their campus. The students were excited from the moment we arrived and really enjoyed getting to see the environment, meet everyone, and take part in all the activities they planned for us. From the welding demonstration to building their own mini benches, there was something for everyone to get involved in.

They also treated us to lunch and pizza, and it was great seeing the students relax and enjoy themselves in the student lounge afterwards. A few of them even got a pretty competitive foosball game going. Overall it was just a really positive experience and another reminder of how valuable community connections like this can be for our students. We’re very grateful for the relationship we’ve built with everyone at Goodwin University.

05/27/2026

Yesterday at our placement at the Avon Senior Center, our students were able to celebrate one of the other volunteer's birthdays. They created cards and made sure to include some of her favorite things, which she really appreciated. She even made cards for the students too, wishing them a good week.

It’s always great to see moments like this happen naturally. The connections our students build out in the community can really mean a lot on both sides.

05/25/2026

Today, we remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and reflect on their service and the freedoms we enjoy because of them.

Wishing all a safe Memorial Day, we will be back tomorrow!

Address

Canton, CT

Opening Hours

Monday	8:15am - 2:45pm
Tuesday	8:15am - 2:45pm
Wednesday	8:15am - 2:45pm
	3pm - 6pm
Thursday	8:15am - 1pm
Friday	8:15am - 2:45pm

Telephone

+18606938809

Website

http://www.focuscenterforautism.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when FOCUS Center for Autism posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Canton?