Facilitating Independence and Providing Help For Young Adults
The goal of New Directions is to prepare young adults to live independent lives. Our program is comprehensive and client-centered, providing an individualized plan for each client. Support is coordinated using a new multi-disciplinary clinical approach called Direction Therapy. Direction Therapy incorporates educational, vocational, independent living, health, social and recreational goals into one unique comprehensive service plan. New Directions typically supports students with executive functioning deficits and a variety of clinical needs. Participants in the New Directions program are typically working to learn the skills needed to live independently. New Directions is unique among therapeutic programs for young adults, we provide a wide range of services aimed to provide help for young adults in achieving self-sufficiency. Services are regularly tapered to allow clients to exercise the independent living skills they learn.
New Directions specializes in providing an individually custom, and truly effective experience in transitional living for young adults. New Directions is also among some of best residential mental health facilities, because we custom make each program to suit each young adult. We strive to provide an experience that provides exactly what each young adult needs, and this is one of the qualities that separates us from other young adults independent living programs. We also provide a wide range of services where many other programs like residential treatment programs for depression, or other emotional problems, only focus on treating one or two issues. The end goal at New Directions is to help your young adult achieve a happy independent lifestyle. New Directions understands from experience this is only possible by allowing young adults to apply the tools they learn from our expert clinical staff in a real life settings. Please visit our parent videos page to view to learn more about the results we can offer for your young adult.
OUR TEAM
Shannon H. Cash, Ed.S.
Mentor / Program Assistant, FLShannon is a Mentor and Tutor at New Directions for Young Adults in FL. He.
Eglan Leonard
Program Mentor, FLEglan is a program Mentor at New Directions for Young Adults. As a mentor, he works directly.
Clarissa Carino
Program Mentor, CAClarissa graduated from the University of California, Merced in 2019 with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. Before becoming part.
Nury Abea, BA
Program AssistantNury is a program mentor at New Directions for Young Adults. Nury graduated from Florida.
Christina Headley
Program AssistantChristina was born on the beautiful island country of Jamaica. She graduated from Palm Beach.
Jennifer Babian
Mentor / Program AssistantJennifer went to Broward College to study Childhood Education. Her passion is helping others, working.
Victoria Harne, Ms.Ed., LMFT
Victoria Harne is from a small town in Maryland called Mount Airy. She later moved to.
Cristina Serrano, MS, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, FLCristina Maria Serrano was born and raised in Miami Dade County Florida. She received her.
Alex Miranda, RMHC
Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern with the State of FloridaAlexander Miranda was born and raised in Broward County, Florida. Alexander received his Master's Degree in Mental.
Michael Kellen, Ph.D.
Clinical Director, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, FLDr. Michael Kellen received his clinical and neuropsychological training at The University of Nebraska Medical.
Aron Tendler, M.D. C.BSM.
Licensed Psychiatrist, FLDr. Aron Tendler met and trained with Dr. Rubin at Tulane University’s Department of Psychiatry.
Andrew S. Rubin, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Florida, California & New YorkDr. Rubin is a licensed clinical psychologist, founder of the international society for autism (ISAresearch.org),.
Liza Rudd
Program MentorLiza is a native Floridian and graduate from the University of Central Florida in Orlando where she.
Darcy Miholer, BA
Program AssistantDarcy, along with her husband and four children relocated to South Florida in 2013 from.
Erica Rubin, BA
Director of the International Society for AutismErica French is a graduate of Michigan State University, where she obtained a degree in.
Djamentha Calonge
Program AssistantDjamentha "Dee" Calonge recently moving here from Jacksonville, Florida where she attended the University of.
Tom Williams, BS
Program AssistantPrior to moving to Florida, Tom practiced real estate for nearly 15 years in Connecticut,.
Tari Calow
Program Resident AssistantTari Calow is the Resident Advisor for the female residence at New Directions for Young.
Carolyn Schramm
Personal TrainerCarolyn Schramm is a native of Brooklyn, NY, but lived most of her life in.
Paula Katz, BA
Director of Vocational ServicesPaula Breen is originally from Savannah, NY, which is just an hour outside of Syracuse..
Bobby Jividen, BA, BS
Academic DirectorBobby was born in California and grew up in Ohio before moving to South Florida.
Melanie Silver
Program DirectorMelanie Silver attained her Bachelor’s and Master’s of Psychology from The New School for Social.
Lori Rubin
Program AssistantLori Rubin was educated at Hofstra University where she studied Gerontology and Psychology. She was.
Bill Jones
Chief Financial OfficerBill comes from a thirty plus year career in Investment Banking operations. In fact, it.
Danielle Ott, BA
Program Coordinator / MentorDanielle was born and raised in South Florida and graduated from Cypress Bay High School.
Carley Hilburn
Assistant Program DirectorCarley Hilburn is from a small town in Pennsylvania. She relocate to South Florida for.
Ray Garcia
Program Mentor/AssistantRay was born and raised in South Florida. He graduated from Coconut Creek High School.
Ben Almog
Financial InstructorBen Almog lived in Israel, prior to moving to the United States in 1989. He.
Caitlin DeFlaun
Director of AdmissionsCaitlin DeFlaun is a Connecticut native who has spent time in the past 10 years.
Vocational Placements for Young Adults with Autism: A “Goodness of fit” approach
As a scientific researcher and former poker professional I am careful about making statements and decisions that are not supported by statistical facts. That being said, I would have to
How to help your young adult with Autism transition out of the house and into a life of independence.
In 2007 I established one of the first multi-disciplinary clinical programs specifically designed to support a transition to independence for young adults on the spectrum (www.NDFYA.com). Having done this kind
Re-opening America brings exciting new employment opportunities for Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum
Re-opening America brings exciting new employment opportunities for Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum. With the states across the nation re-opening students here at New Directions for Young Adults
New Directions COVID-19 Update
COVID-19 New Directions for Young Adults Update Recently, COVID-19, or more commonly known as the Coronavirus, has swept the nation resulting in extensive safety procedures taking place and forcing
Adventure Group
One of the most popular activities at New Directions for Young Adults is our “Adventure Group.” This innovative clinical group is a great activity for young adults who are either
New Directions Young Adult Disney Trip
New Directions Young Adult Disney Trip Student Videos New Directions for Young Adults isn’t just a place to get work done; New Directions provides opportunities every day to get out
Amazing Weekend at Disney!
New Directions attended both Hollywood Studios and Epcot parks this past weekend. Everyone seemed to really enjoy the new Hollywood Studios Star Wars theme park “Galaxy Edge.” Our most favorite
This Student Shares His Achievements at NDFYA
This Student shares his achievements events with those considering joining the New Directions program. Direction Therapy CMT (Coordinated Multi-Disciplinary Treatment) is a clinical intervention designed for young adults with autism.
His Experience With Betterment at NDFYA
This Student shares his experience with personal growth at NDFYA. The Direction Therapy approach helps to prepare young adults for an independent life. It brings together therapeutic services including psychology
Mother thanks New Directions Staff for their sensitive care
Jana and Senda, Thank you for being emotionally vested in Jessica and our family. I imagine the stress of your professions are great. You both bring a strong base
Top Ten Reasons Spectrum Young Adults seek Transitional Living Programs
Top Ten Reasons Spectrum Young Adults seek Transitional Living Programs Executive Functioning Deficits This includes difficulties with schedules and homework assignments Depression and/or Anxiety At least 50% percent of individuals
Family Weekend Brings New Directions Students, Staff, and Parents Together
A Family Event This past weekend, New Directions students, parents/guardians, and staff gathered for a yearly series of events to bring students, staff, and families together. Family weekend has been
Biofeedback is Instrumental to Addressing Anxiety
Many people go to a therapist with goal of talking about their problems, and then feeling less stressed. But what if there is another way to address these feelings? How
New Directions Clinical Staff Bolsters Knowledge with CBT Training
Building Skills and Knowledge “A Goal Without a Plan is Just a Wish” is the New Directions motto, and recently, clinical staff had a training in an area of therapy
Dungeons and Dragons helps with social difficulties
Ask anyone a few decades ago what they thought of Dungeons and Dragons, and you’d probably get a blank stare, or even a negative response. In that era, role-playing games
5 Ways you Know a Support Program is Needed for Your Young Adult
Severe escalation: Any problematic behavior by your child has become more intense. Maybe they used to get angry, but retreat to their room; now they’re punching holes in walls and
New Directions For Young Adults Helps Students Learn Skills
Boca Newspaper By: Ethan A. Pond Lynn University Contributing Writer >> Click here to read the article
Head Games
Humans have a startling ability to extract meaning from words. For most, a facility with written and spoken language is second nature by adolescence. Reading peopleon the other hand—deciphering the
Parent Acknowledges New Directions staff for Exemplary Performance
Hey Guys I always only write emails when I need to complain about something, so I thought I would just send a quick note to say thank you for all
Facilitating Transitions for Young Adults
We’ve heard the story many times: a young man or woman has trouble succeeding, and the parents enroll them in a wilderness or residential program. Through intensive therapy and hard
Improving Lives With a New Direction
This parent shares her experience on how New Directions immensely helped her son. Drawing experiences such as her son's improvement in socializing and making meaningful connections with others. Also she
Parent of NDFYA Student Shares Experience to Prospective Parent
This inquisitive parent decides to ask a current Parent of a New Directions Child about their experience: "Hi, We're looking into the program New Directions for Young Adults out in
A Life Changing Experience for The Entire Family
In this video, a mother whose son is on the autism spectrum speaks about what the New Directions program experience meant to not just to her son, but to her
New Directions California First Annual Parents Day: Earth Day 5k and BBQ
The California team and clients have grown quite a bit in the last year! This year, we held our first annual Parents' Day in order to help keep our families
Healing Impacts of Gardening for Young Adults with ASD
Kim Stoddart published an article in 2016 showcasing how the powerful impact of gardening helped her son diagnosed with ASD blossom. The California team here at New Directions saw the