Peace By Piece Learning Center

Dr. Terrasi has been providing quality applied behavior analysis (ABA) services to persons with autism and related disabilities for many years. Since June of 2008, she expanded her services to better meet the needs the community through a private not for profit school, Peace by Piece Learning Center. Peace by Piece currently operates in a 2500 square foot building.  Our instructors, under the watch of Dr. Terrasi, provide daily instruction to learners with autism, apraxia, adhd and other disabilities. In this space we also conduct individual assessments, present seminars, and provide complimentary respite services during our community parent support group. We are the first and only school from Naples to Tampa for these special learners.  We utilize an integrated Verbal Behavior and Errorless Learning approach. This is a highly successful method for teaching language and functional communication to children with language and speech disorders. Many children have come to us with little or no communication skills, often after months or years of traditional therapy, and have made significant gains within the first month.

All children receive a thorough assessment of their existing skills. Based upon the results of this assessment and parental input, an individualized program is developed. All instructors and caretakers involved in with the learner are thoroughly trained in implementing each protocol correctly. Because children learn in many different ways, we use an array of teaching methods to help our students comprehend material. Daily progress data are collected on each skill targeted for intervention and used to guide our treatment decisions.

Daily Instruction

The purpose of this service is to assess learner needs and then develop learner skills through the provision of direct instruction in a three-to-one and one-on-one teaching environment several hours per week utilizing the methods of applied behavior analysis. In addition, this service affords the daily opportunity to train other instructors and parents through hands-on coaching in effective teaching methods that can be used across environments, e.g. at home, in school, in community settings, etc. The instruction is delivered by well trained instructors in a well equipped environment. The instructors are supervised by Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Dr. Renee Terrasi. Effective data recording methods are utilized and instructional decisions are  guided by student performance data.

Community Services

The purpose of this service is to provide training and consultation to schools, agencies and home programs. The objectives of our Community Services division is to provide assessment of the instructional needs of persons with autism and/or related disabilities leading to the development of effective instructional programs based upon the principles of applied behavior analysis within local schools, agencies and home/community environments. The services are provided by Dr. Terrasi and her staff, through local on-site consultation and training of teachers, parents, and other professionals.

Individual Learner Assessments/Consultations

The purpose of this service is to provide the family and teaching staff with an assessment of the learner’s strengths and areas of need based upon direct observation and interaction with the learner. A full range of skill domains, e.g. verbal behavior, self care, socialization, etc. are assessed including those outlined in the Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (Partington and Sundberg, 2006). Problem behavior that includes self-injury or behavior that interferes with learning receives priority attention during the assessment. The assessment also includes a determination of the teaching methods which appear to facilitate the learner’s acquisition of important skills. Through hands-on coaching, the learner’s teaching staff is then trained to implement the most effective teaching procedures.

Parent Support/Respite Care

Respite care is short term care that helps a family take a break from the daily routine and stress. It is provided at Peace by Piece in a classroom and on the playground. We have also taken the children in the community to places such as Pump it Up. We believe that respite care is an essential part of the overall support that families with a child with a disability require. We provide respite care complimentary during our monthly support group.  Our support group is open to all parents in our community that have a child with a disability. Our goal is to provide a network to parents. A place where they are able to receive support, make friends, receive answers to their questions, and have other parents assist them in making informed decisions for their children.  Dr. Terrasi also provides complimentary training to the group if they so desire.

We also offer:

Social Skills Training

Before and After School Care

Equestrian Therapy

Sensory Integration

Swim Lessons

Occupational Therapy

Speech Therapy

Physical Therapy

We are McKay Scholarship Providers and also accept most major credit cards for services.

The following services can be obtained locally and/or nationwide.

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For more information please contact us at (239) 245-8301. You may also email for additional information - info@peacebypieceinc.com

Peace By Piece Learning Center adheres to the Florida Department of
Education's, Ethics in Education Guidelines. Please check here for detailed information.