The Watson Institute Sharpsburg

About this facility

Located in Sharpsburg, and just minutes from Pennsylvania Route 28, this nonprofit center supports youth ages 5–21 experiencing autism, trauma, and emotional or behavioral challenges. The Watson Institute offers both school-based and outpatient behavioral health services. Children enrolled in local schools or Watson’s own programs can access therapy onsite, helping them build emotional stability and daily coping skills. Therapists guide children through individual therapy, using evidence-based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed care. Clinicians also offer psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and intensive behavioral health services. These services help youth process emotions, practice healthy behaviors, and stay engaged at home, in school, and in their communities. The center also offers two specialized education programs on site. The Watson Institute Social Center for Academic Achievement (WISCA) program supports students with high-functioning autism using an adapted online curriculum, elective choices, and instruction in social, organizational, and life skills. This model helps students stay academically engaged while preparing for a successful transition into adulthood. Additionally, the Learning Experiences: An Alternative Program for Preschoolers and Parents (LEAP) Preschool provides an inclusive classroom where young children with autism learn through play alongside typically developing peers, helping build early social and communication skills in a natural setting.