The Learning Spectrum offers a Small Group Learning option for school aged students with autism who struggle to learn in a larger school or classroom environment.
We have found success for many of our current clients, in small group learning situations that allow for both individual instruction time and short periods of small group work with other students with similar disabilities.
Students are grouped by age and ability level, allowing for appropriate practice of skills when together. Visual supports and curricular accommodations are built into each program and our staff is experienced in the use of adaptive technology, ABA, and augmentive communication devices in the classroom setting with students with autism spectrum disorder. Computers, an interactive white board, and iPads are routinely used to provide a learning environment suited to learners with complex communication needs. Therapeutic and behavioral supports are implemented to meet the needs of individual students. Each child’s experience is tailored to fit their individual needs and level of support needed; our goal being to help them become as independent as possible. Therapy services are offered, on site, for individualized and group sessions, or consultation. Academic work is focused on IEP goals and those outlined by families and staff during initial intake to the group. Quarterly updates are written on every child’s progress.
The daily schedule may be different for each student, individualized to meet their strengths and needs. All students will participate or are exposed to the following activities:
- Academic lessons
- Direct social skills instruction
- Handwriting/keyboarding
- Fitness
- Daily living skills
- Computer skills
- Music
- Sensory/arts
- Naturalistic ABA
The Unique Learning System curriculum is available to students who need additional accommodations. This curriculum is designed to assist in teaching state standard-based lessons. It is differentiated on three different levels, to accommodate a diversity of learners with autism spectrum disorder. Monthly units focus on science and social studies topics. Each one contains writing, reading, comprehension, vocabulary, and math activities. Students also focus on life, transitional and social skills during sessions that include community outings.