Who We Serve

A diagnosis of Intellectual Disability (ID) necessitates specialized education to promote learning and progress. The Guild’s learning environment is designed to serve students with a wide range of ability levels and diagnoses.

All Guild students have some type of ID. Some Guild students have chromosomal disorders, such as Down syndrome or Cri-du-Chat, and others have a dual diagnosis of ID and a mental health diagnosis, such as depression, generalized anxiety disorder or bipolar disorder.

Because there is a great deal of variability among special learners, each student’s educational program is individualized.

Many Guild students have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that one in 36 American children is diagnosed with ASD. ASD is nearly four times more common among boys than among girls.

At The Guild, our students with autism and other developmental disabilities benefit greatly from the school and residential services we provide. We help them to lead high-quality lives and participate meaningfully in the community.

Students with a diagnosis of intellectual disability and mental health issues (ID/MH) will have the ID diagnosis throughout their lives, but they may experience MH issues periodically. When they are not experiencing MH issues, they have needs similar to students who have a single diagnosis of ID. However, if they are experiencing MH issues, then The Guild is likely an appropriate placement.

There are a variety of mental health challenges experienced by Guild students, including but not limited to depression, anxiety, obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, mood disorders, post-traumatic stress and bipolar disorder.

The Guild is able to serve children, teens and adults with dual diagnoses successfully due to our model of working as a multidisciplinary team to ensure the education and care of students and adults.