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FAQ

What is an integrated service delivery model?

  • Uses the “teachable moments” during the school day to integrate and apply therapy throughout every aspect of our school day. 

  • A full time Speech-Language Pathologist provides integrated speech-language therapy services within the classroom working alongside the classroom teacher.  

    • Supports a language-rich learning environment for students with significant communication disorders to access academics, as well as, to provide interventions for pragmatics, problem solving, and speech-language deficits. 

  • CD Program social workers provide social emotional education, therapy, and support unexpected behaviors. They are a liaison among stakeholders in obtaining resources in the school and community.

    • Supports social emotional learning (SEL) for learners. SEL is offered through direct instruction and consultation from the class social worker provided through small and whole group lessons. These lessons are scheduled at a minimum of 60 minutes a week, commonly delivered as multiple mini-lessons across the school week. Social emotional instruction may be co-treated with a speech pathologist, occupational therapist, or learning behavior specialist. 


What is your methodology?

  • Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) for encouraging expected behaviors and academic learning within our classrooms.

  • Structured Teaching principles includes (a) understanding the culture of Autism, developing a holistic individualized plan for a child (versus using a standard curriculum), (c) structuring the physical environment, (d) using visual supports to make the sequence of daily activities predictable and understandable, (e)community-based services, and (f) promoting independence. 

  • However, our methodology isn’t strictly ABA. We teach group interactions, self-management, self-advocacy, problem-solving, and communication skills too.  These skills are learned and generalized with direct instruction of socialization, practice of cooperative learning, and guided practice within a natural learning environment. 

  • ILAUGH Model of Social Thinking is a core therapy framework used in CD classrooms. This includes (a) initiation of language, (b) listening with eyes and brain, (c) abstract and inferential thinking, (d) understanding perspective, (e) getting the big picture and (H) humor and human relatedness.

  • Our CD teachers utilize multimodal learning,  modeling, and role-playing to engage our students and make learning come alive. 


Is there anything else?

  • Access to a behavioral consultant to support the classroom team in meeting our students’ diverse needs

  • Participation in the general education classes within our general education buildings

  • Sensory sensitive classrooms and team members

  • Hosts regular community outings to practice skills from the classroom in a natural setting