Individualized learning support
Educational activities that build on each child's strengths: communication practice, routines and transitions, early literacy and numeracy, social-learning activities, and confidence in a learning setting.
Education-first since the beginning
Education is where Operation Catch Them Young began, and it remains the heart of our work.
Our education program area supports children, youth, and families with Autism Therapy & Education, Pre-K through Grade 6 learning support, youth and family educational support, learning and developmental support, and access to technology for learning.
Autism Therapy & Education — Pre-K through Grade 6
Structured, patient, individualized educational support for children on the autism spectrum and their families.
Caregiver and family education
Practical guidance for parents and caregivers on supporting learning at home, understanding school processes, preparing for meetings with schools, and navigating community services.
School and service referral navigation
Help understanding evaluations, school-based supports, and community resources, and referrals to qualified professionals where a child or family needs them.
Inclusive activities and awareness
Autism awareness for families and community partners, inclusive group activities, and positive, respectful communication about neurodiversity.
Important distinction. OCTY's Autism Therapy & Education work is educational and family-support in nature. It is not medical treatment and does not diagnose, treat, or cure autism. Licensed clinical therapy (for example, medical, psychological, speech-language, or occupational therapy) is provided only by appropriately licensed professionals; OCTY helps families understand options and connects them to qualified providers where appropriate.
Pre-K through Grade 6
Learning support for early childhood and elementary years.
School readiness
Early literacy, early numeracy, listening and following directions, fine-motor practice, and comfort with classroom routines.
Foundational skills
Reading, writing, and math practice; homework habits; and encouragement for children who need extra time, repetition, or a different approach.
Building independence
Reading comprehension, math confidence, study skills, organization, project support, and preparation for middle school expectations.
Learning and developmental support
Support for children with learning differences or developmental delays: patient, individualized educational activities and guidance for families, with referral to qualified professionals when specialized evaluation or services are needed.
Youth and family educational support
Learning happens at school, at home, and in the community.
OCTY works alongside parents, caregivers, and youth so that education continues beyond the classroom: mentoring and academic encouragement, parenting and caregiver education, help navigating school systems, and connection to community resources.
Technology and digital learning access
Digital tools that serve learning.
Where appropriate, OCTY connects education with technology access: digital literacy for students and families, refurbished computers and devices for homework and learning (review-based), online-safety education, and training in widely used productivity and creative tools.
Our story
Education first — and everything since has grown from it.
- Began with educationOperation Catch Them Young started as an education-focused nonprofit serving children, youth, and families, with a particular commitment to children on the autism spectrum and to Pre-K through Grade 6 learners.
- Technology and digital learningComputer training, digital literacy, and technology access were added so that students, families, and community organizations could learn and participate fully.
- Health education and community supportKnowledge-only health-education resources and community, youth, family, and caregiver support extended the same public-impact mission.
- MaxArc-related initiativesOCTY-backed technology and health-information initiatives, including MaxArc-related work, are extensions of the original education and public-impact mission. They do not replace Operation Catch Them Young's identity as an education-first nonprofit.
Get started
Ask about education support for your child, student, or family.
Start with a simple inquiry. Please do not include medical records, evaluations, student records, or other sensitive details in a first email; OCTY will explain a careful review process for any information that needs to be shared.
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