Program Definition and Curriculum
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Research has shown that the most effective way to teach autistic students is
through a discrete trial teaching paradigm. In this method, the student is
given a directive and prompted to respond to the directive appropriately.
For example, a student is told "stand up" and then is assisted to
stand up. This provides for errorless trials or repetitions which are the
best way to teach the desired skills efficiently. Children are taught these
skills in an enclosed, distraction-free area with a student-to-staff ratio
that will never exceed 4 to 1. The environment and ratio reduces the potential of
distractibility and impulsivity so that the child can focus on the task at
hand.
A portion of the student's day is spent in a variety of group sessions to
include language, socialization, lunch, etc.. This provides opportunities
for both the generalization of skills learned in discrete trial, as well as
more naturalistic environments for incidental teaching.
All students have a program book which completely describes their
educational program from teaching programs to hygiene programs. Data is
collected on all programs to provide a current profile of the child at all
times. With this tool, we can quickly identify and modify any less
successful programs.
The Children's Center has designed a variety of transition class programs
to prepare appropriate students for a less restrictive classroom placement.
Students in these classrooms work at their own individual desks to create a
more natural classroom environment. Their class is paired with another class
of students which acts as a social and language role model. A social skills
curriculum is incorporated into these classrooms to enhance socialization.
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