Celebrate the Children
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​Foundational Capacities for Development  (FCD®)


Development is never straightforward. Neither is intervention. Despite research advances made in the last decade, attempts to translate these into best practice(s) face many challenges and obstacles. While early identification now has some reliable tools and clinical trials are underway in early intervention, it is not yet possible to capture the complexity of autism spectrum disorders and the variability in how different children respond to different interventions, especially as children grow older and become adolescents or adults and outcomes vary so widely. Identifying the potential capacities of each person and guiding their development to realize this potential is the most important goal we have.

We believe development advances when experience captures the child’s effects and interests and activates new learning, gets organized through interactions, and is integrated into the child’s repertoire of thinking, feeling, and functioning. These experiences build the foundational capacities to support development across the lifespan (
“Foundational Capacities for Development” or FCD™). They are integrative capacities that go beyond specific sensory-motor processing and environmental challenges, as they are more fundamental, dynamic, and interactive and underlie how and to what degree they effectively integrate the experience to advance development. ​The FCD’s are pivotal in developing competencies where movement, motor planning, visual-spatial thinking, motor sequences, and communication lead to increased availability to, and participation in, the world around them to increase developmental success and independence.

The 5 C's


​The Foundational Capacities for Development (FCD) provide the construct for adapting experiences, strategies and intervention programs to allow each individual to realize his or her developmental potential. This often starts with the adults in an individual’s life adapting their responses to foster feelings of ​Comfort, Competency, Confidence, Control and Communication (5 C's).
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COMFORT
  • Environmental
    • Physical
    • Sensory Experience
  • Emotional State
    • ​Trust
    • Predictability
    • Passions
    • Judgement Free Zone​
COMPETENCY
  • Expectations
    • Accomplishment
    • Purpose​
    • ​
CONFIDENCE
  • In SELF
  • In Environments
  • In Activities/Situations/Demands
  • With People
CONTROL
  • I can make something happen, or not
  • I can be an EQUAL contributor to interactions/situations
  • I am in control of myself​
COMMUNICATION
  • Reliable​
  • Functional
  • ​Powerful
  • ​
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​Foundational Capacities for Development allow us to tailor the environment, interactions, and experiences in a way that fosters each student’s feelings of Comfort, Competency, Confidence, Control and Communication (5 C's) as foundational capacities that support development through the Functional, Emotional, Developmental Levels (FEDL’s).
Semi-structured and structured activities designed to foster feelings of COMFORT, COMPETENCE, CONFIDENCE, CONTROL AND COMMUNICATION = The reduction of stress and abilities realized!
​

Setting up successful interactions = CONFIDENCE!
Because every child, family system, and environment is unique, modifications and adaptations to intervention goals and programs must also be flexible to recognize and support the individual needs of each individual at various stages of development.

For over 40 years, the Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-based Model has changed the lives of thousands of families and professionals caring for individuals with special needs. Over the last two decades, we have learned, and research supports, that the complex sensory and motor systems of people with autism and other challenges in relating and communicating require a dynamic, not static, approach to intervention. The Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-based Model provides a clear guide for development based on the 
Functional Emotional Developmental Levels (FEDL). We know that relationships are our most vital mechanism for promoting developmental progress. We also respect that other factors play a role in the child and caregiver’s ability to deepen the quality of their relationship to support some areas of development. 
OUR SCHOOL
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UPCOMING EVENTS
School Closed- Memorial Day
Friday, May 23, 2025- Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Save the Date: Ride For Autism
Saturday, June 7, 2025

Save the Date: Spring Concert
Wednesday, June 11, 2025

DOE-Approved E.S.Y. Program
July 1, 2025- August 1st, 2025


CONTACT CTC
​230 Diamond Spring Road
Denville, New Jersey 07834    
ph: (973) 989.4033      
fax : (862) 244.4969

Interested in learning more about our program? 
Email Our Admissions Coordinator
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2025 Celebrate the Children
  • Home
  • About
    • Why Celebrate the Children? >
      • Our Philosophy
      • Our Mission
      • Approach >
        • Best Practice Guidelines
        • DIR®
        • Functional Emotional Developmental Levels
        • FCD® & The 5 C's
    • Staff >
      • Our Leadership Team
      • Board of Directors
      • Staff
      • PSO- Parent Staff Organization
      • History
    • Testimonials
    • Academic Calendar
    • Careers
  • Academics & Programs
    • Extended School Year 2025
    • Developmental Preschool Program
    • K-12 Programs
    • Transition Program
    • Young Adult Program
    • After School Program
    • Sara Ann Rickles Center For independent Living
    • CTC Outreach Program
  • Events
    • 1st Annual Neurodiversity Walk >
      • 2025 Digital Program Book
    • Spring Concert 2025: On the Road Again! >
      • Spring Concert 2025: Sponsorship Opportunities
      • Spring Concert 2025: Program Ads
    • Ride for Autism 2025
    • Open House
  • Admissions
  • Support
    • Stanley's Pantry
    • Tree of Life
    • Gift Bricks
  • Newsletter
    • Student Spotlight
    • Staff Spotlight
    • Letter from the Executive Director
    • Community Spotlight
    • Education HQ
    • Floortime
    • Behavior Team
    • C.A.R.E.S. Corner
    • Physical Therapy
    • Occupational Therapy
    • Speech-Language Pathology
  • Media
    • Read
    • Watch
    • Listen
    • Blog
  • Resources
    • Dr. Temple Grandin at CTC
    • Recommended Reading, Resources & Materials >
      • Profectum Parent Toolbox
    • CTC Connections
    • Proud Partners
    • Certificate of Employee Information Report
    • Lead in Drinking Water Report >
      • Contact
  • Blog