“Will they actually be able to support my son? He’s nonverbal and needs one-on-one.” It’s one of the most common questions we hear — and a fair one. Here’s how to tell whether a program can genuinely meet high support needs.
Communication is the first thing to check
Nonverbal does not mean non-communicating. Look for staff who treat AAC devices, picture exchange, gestures, and individual signals as real communication — and who take the time to learn an individual’s system. Ask: “How would you know my daughter needs a break, or is in pain, if she can’t tell you in words?” The quality of that answer tells you a lot.
Staffing: ask about 1:1 directly
If your relative needs one-on-one support, that has to be a real, staffed arrangement — not a hope. Ask whether the program can provide 1:1 support, how it’s funded, and how they ensure continuity so your relative isn’t relearning a new person every week. We’re happy to discuss 1:1 staffing for participants who require it; the funding for it usually runs through the waiver, which our waiver assistance team can help arrange.
Behavior support that’s proactive, not reactive
Good programs prevent hard moments by reading the early signs — rising stimulation, a missed routine, hunger, sensory overload — and adjusting before a crisis. Ask how staff are trained to respond, and whether there’s a calm, low-stimulation space available before things escalate. A program that only talks about responding after an incident is telling on itself.
Safety and supervision
For adults with elopement risk, medical needs, or mobility support requirements, ask concretely: how is the space secured, what are the supervision ratios, who oversees medication and health needs during the day, and is the building genuinely accessible? Our center is fully accessible and includes licensed oversight during program hours.
High support needs don’t call for a different goal — connection, dignity, a day with purpose. They call for a program staffed and trained to deliver it.
What a good day looks like
Even with significant support needs, the day should be about engagement: communication practice, sensory-appropriate activities, music and movement, time with peers, and moments of genuine choice. Families tell us the proof shows up at home — a calmer evening, a new sign or word, a willingness to try something new.
If your relative is autistic, pair this with our guide on what to look for in an adult autism day program. And to see the full model, visit the day programs for adults with disabilities in Philadelphia overview or our intellectual disabilities program page.
Tell us about your relative’s support needs
Bring the specifics — communication, 1:1, behavior support, medical needs. We’ll tell you honestly how we can support them.
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