Pacific Autism Center for Education

Pacific Autism Center for Education Welcome to Pacific Autism Center for Education's page!

Like this page to connect with others in the autism community, learn about community resources and events, and hear about the individuals we serve! Our mission is to enhance the lives of people impacted by autism through innovation, exceptional education, and compassionate care. PACE was founded in 1989 by a group of concerned parents and educators as a private, nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization to

meet the critical need of providing education and care for children and adults with autism/developmental disabilities and their families. Before this time, many of our students were placed in inappropriate classroom settings and many of our residential clients were housed in unsuitable state hospitals and development centers. Without the support of an encouraging, attentive environment, the ability to develop the skills necessary for achieving integration into the community was doubtful. Starting with 14 students in 1989 and one group home in 1992, PACE now offers comprehensive services including Sunny Days Preschool, an inclusive preschool for children ages 2 ½- 6, the PACE School serving ages 6-22, PACE Residential group homes, Faces Behavioral Services for children with 1:1 Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and Porchlight Autism Education Series, a free e-learning training system with over 50 modules for parent and caregiver solutions to implement at home. To learn more about PACE, visit www.pacificautism.org
To visit our Porchlight Autism Education Series, visit www.porchlighteducation.org

Planning for the future of a loved one with disabilities can feel overwhelming, but having the right information can mak...
06/16/2026

Planning for the future of a loved one with disabilities can feel overwhelming, but having the right information can make all the difference.

Join Michael Gilfix and PACE Board Member Mark Gilfix on June 24 for the 17th Annual Special Needs Trust Seminar, a free, in-person event designed to help families understand the legal and financial planning tools that can help protect their loved one's future.

Topics include:
• Special Needs Trusts and estate planning
• ABLE accounts and public benefits
• Medi-Cal and SSI updates
• Future housing and care planning
• Common planning mistakes and how to avoid them
• Strategies for building long-term financial security

PACE is proud to be one of several community organizations participating in this valuable event.

Register today:
https://www.gilfix.com/seminars/

The PACE School Model employs a multi-disciplinary team, including certified special education teachers, behavior specia...
06/15/2026

The PACE School Model employs a multi-disciplinary team, including certified special education teachers, behavior specialists, instructional aides, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists. Together, the team, including the child’s parents, helps assess each student’s needs and create a program combining therapeutic and educational strategies to optimize progress.

At the heart of the PACE educational model is our vision for every student to develop the ability to self-regulate, to relate, and to communicate. Starting from these building blocks, PACE’s multidisciplinary, multi-methodology educational program strives to help our students develop age-appropriate occupational, language, academic, and vocational skills to last a lifetime.

Donate today to our Annual Fund by June 30th to help us reach our goal. .

Transitioning into 𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 is hard enough. Doing it without the right resources and support is even harder. In our lat...
06/12/2026

Transitioning into 𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 is hard enough. Doing it without the right resources and support is even harder. In our latest episode, Lizzi reminds us why 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 changes everything: “As we all move into adulthood as we all grow as people, we have to learn from our failures. We have to try and realize what doesn't work and be able to cope and continue. So, I want them to learn those lessons while they're here with us now, rather than moving into adulthood without the coping mechanisms and problem solving skills to deal with those things as they come up”.

Hosted by 𝗜𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗮 𝗕𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘆𝗮, this episode features 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝗯𝗲𝘁𝗵 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗰𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗮, also known as Lizzi, a 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 and the 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 at the PACE San Aleso campus. Lizzi has been with PACE for nearly 11 years, where she works with older students in building life skills, independence, and post-school goals. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, visiting the ocean, and making jigsaw puzzles.

In our conversation, Lizzi introduces what 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 can look like and the various resources that are provided. One key aspect is the introduction of an 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 (ITP) in the IEP document, which helps students prepare for important decisions in their adult lives, including continued education, employment goals, and independent living.

Lizzi will also share the various hands-on vocational and educational opportunities that are provided in the curriculum once ITP is introduced in the program. While this process can seem overwhelming, we hope this episode will help answer some of the questions in navigating this process.

Guided by our pillars — 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲, 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿, 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁, 𝗔𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘆 — this episode is all about making understanding more accessible and meaningful.

Tune in and be part of the journey.

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0J0mWRZ9SQbR9iAPueMmOw?si=DpkVx8MvRVOAtO2IeCc9Kw&nd=1&dlsi=bafc8060d71e47ea

Youtube Music:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAuTSOgvnxGXe68dzeByQdGcxGwmxa_cq

At the end of May, PACE held our annual Bay Area Real Estate Roundtable at the Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay. More than ...
06/10/2026

At the end of May, PACE held our annual Bay Area Real Estate Roundtable at the Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay. More than 250 leaders and guests gathered for an engaging panel featuring top voices in the real estate industry, followed by a dinner and lively auction. The following day, attendees enjoyed a round of golf at the Half Moon Bay Golf Links. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and participants, the event was a tremendous success, generating meaningful support for our programs and community.

Sunny Days Preschool provides a safe, fun, and caring learning environment where young children can explore and grow. Cl...
06/08/2026

Sunny Days Preschool provides a safe, fun, and caring learning environment where young children can explore and grow. Classes provide individualized attention to support each child’s emerging communication and learning skills. Activities focus on language development, motor skills, music, movement, and play-based experiences. We work on self-regulation, social skill development, sensory integration, and language skills. Early literacy and numeracy skills are encouraged for older children through informal, experiential learning and play. Donate to our Annual Fund by June 30th to help us reach our goal!

06/05/2026

Calling all high school students! Applications for the 2026-2027 season of the PACE Youth Leadership Committee (YLC) are open.

Founded in 2008, the YLC empowers young leaders to advocate for neurodiversity and autism, build community, and develop lifelong leadership skills. Over the years, our members have embraced this mission and achieved incredible things - we can't wait to see what the next group of leaders will accomplish.

If you are ready to make a difference, learn more and apply today!

Applications are due Friday, August 14, 2026.

Visit https://www.pacificautism.org/about-pace/volunteering/youth-leadership-committee/ to apply.

Progress at PACE is not one moment, it’s continuous movement forward, built one step at a time. Over the month of June, ...
06/01/2026

Progress at PACE is not one moment, it’s continuous movement forward, built one step at a time. Over the month of June, will be sharing stories from families at each step on their journey at PACE and how PACE has impacted their lives. Help us reach our goal by donating to our Annual Fund before our fiscal year closes on June 30th. Your donation will help us continue to provide invaluable services for families that are navigating their autism journey.

“We start with meeting the students where they are and what they need at the moment,” Iris explains. It’s a perspective ...
05/29/2026

“We start with meeting the students where they are and what they need at the moment,” Iris explains. It’s a perspective that grounds her work and serves as a reminder that progress is not always linear. Meaningful support begins with understanding, patience, and responding to each student’s unique needs as they arise.

This approach is at the core of her work as an occupational therapist and shapes how she supports each student she works with.

Hosted by Ipsita Bhattacharya, this episode features Iris Yang, a licensed occupational therapist who is certified in 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. With her expertise in 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘆-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 and 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀, Iris helps autistic individuals engage more comfortably and confidently in their daily lives and environments.

In our conversation, Iris will discuss how 𝗼𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆 can support students with autism by aiding their sensory processing. She will also explore various strategies to help students better regulate their ability to participate in everyday activities.

Guided by our pillars — 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲, 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿, 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁, 𝗔𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘆 — this episode highlights how thoughtful, responsive approaches can create meaningful opportunities for students to grow, participate, and thrive.

Tune in and be part of the journey.

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0J0mWRZ9SQbR9iAPueMmOw?si=DpkVx8MvRVOAtO2IeCc9Kw&nd=1&dlsi=bafc8060d71e47ea

Youtube Music:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAuTSOgvnxGXe68dzeByQdGcxGwmxa_cq

Every student with autism walks into a classroom carrying something different. Reema Das has spent over a decade learnin...
05/16/2026

Every student with autism walks into a classroom carrying something different. Reema Das has spent over a decade learning how to read that — and respond.

Episode 3 of Setting the PACE!, the podcast from Pacific Autism Center for Education, hosted by Ipsita Bhattacharya, features Reema Das — an Education Specialist at PACE with over 10 years of experience supporting students with autism. Reema designs individualized, classroom-based strategies that adapt to each student's unique learning and behavioral profile — and she brings the same flexibility to her teaching that she asks of her students every day.

In this conversation, Reema walks through what she observes when a new student enters her classroom, how she distinguishes learning differences from areas that need targeted support, and what she tries before escalating to outside intervention. What comes through clearly is that consistency and attentiveness — not one-size-fits-all solutions — are what move the needle.

"We celebrate every win, no matter how small the progress — a step in the right direction is a win," Reema says. That mindset shapes everything about how she approaches her classroom, and it's a reminder that matters for families too. Growth in students with autism doesn't always look the way you expect it to, and the classroom is a space where those unexpected gains matter just as much as the milestones on paper.

Guided by our pillars — 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲, 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿, 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁, 𝗔𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘆 — this episode is for every educator and family trying to do right by their kids, one step at a time.

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0J0mWRZ9SQbR9iAPueMmOw?si=DpkVx8MvRVOAtO2IeCc9Kw

YouTube Music:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAuTSOgvnxGXe68dzeByQdGcxGwmxa_cq&si=XlDox1Ae0ah2Tm-Y

The dentist made another stop - this time at our Pruneridge campus! Students had a great time practicing brushing and fl...
05/15/2026

The dentist made another stop - this time at our Pruneridge campus! Students had a great time practicing brushing and flossing with giant dental tools while learning how healthy foods help keep smiles bright and strong.

Address

1880 Pruneridge Avenue
San Jose, CA
95050

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+14082453400

Website

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