The Vista School® opened in 2002 to give hope to Central Pennsylvania families whose children have moderate to severe autism. Using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis, a data-driven approach to the treatment of autism symptoms, Vista's team of specialists develops a plan for each child to reach his or her unique potential. Vista was founded because a group of parents and professionals had
the audacity to believe children with autism can learn to lead meaningful lives. The group realized the only way to bring together government support for autism services was to advocate for a creative way to work within the state's current funding paradigm. They convinced the state Department of Education to designate Vista as an Approved Private School for special education. A Medical Assistance Partial Hospitalization license granted in 2005 to The Vista Foundation by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services enabled Vista to integrate special education and behavioral support across home, school, and community environments, and to provide these services regardless of a family's ability to pay. Vista Adult Services was established in 2014 to provide employment, skills training, and residential services to adults with autism. In the fall of 2017, Vista will embark on its latest expansion of services - a Early Intervention program for babies and toddlers - and become the only organization in Central Pennsylvania to provide comprehensive educational, behavioral support, and other autism services from the time of a child's diagnosis, through the school years, and throughout the individual's adult life.
