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Special Education |
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Early Childhood CenterStudent Disability: Preschooler with a Disability (range of disabilities) Student Age: 3 to 5 The Early Childhood Center provides an educational experience for preschool children from 3 to 5 who have a combination of disabilities that may include significant delays in language, cognitive and motor development with associated learning and/or behavioral difficulties. The preschool program is designed to give these youngsters the best possible start toward achieving their greatest potential, both in school and in their future lives. The program offers full-day classes during the school year and half-day classes for those students approved for the summer program. Opportunities for integrated activities with students attending the Island Trees community preschool are available as well. Children are referred to the Early Childhood Center by their local district Committees on Preschool Special Education (CPSEs). Each child is screened on site in order to determine the ability of the Early Childhood Center to provide appropriate educational services. Once a child is admitted to the program, an individualized program of instruction is designed in keeping with their IEP (individualized education plan). Using a combination of criteria that includes maturity, language, cognitive and social skills, each youngster is placed in an appropriate class. Reassessment of students' needs remains ongoing throughout their stay in the program. The Early Childhood Center uses a curriculum that provides multi-sensory stimulation. Emphasis is placed on increasing verbal expression, language comprehension and social development. Thematic instruction develops the youngster's ability to anticipate language, encourages its spontaneous use and reinforces conceptual development. The program provides innovative speech and language development through an interdisciplinary team approach to instruction. All classes are team taught by speech teachers and teachers of special education to provide a language enriched learning environment. Occupational and physical therapies are offered in a consult model. The therapists work with each class group on a weekly basis to insure carry-over by the regular classroom staff. Other important activities focus on the development of self-help skills to include a toilet training program. All classrooms are furnished with computers; in addition, the children visit the learning center on a weekly basis. There they use the latest technologies, including software programs which foster the development of language and cognitive skills. Children participate in a regular program of physical education for the development of their motor skills. They attend daily gym class and enjoy the use of two outdoor playgrounds and a tricycle path located on their beautiful preschool campus. The Early Childhood Center staff includes administrators, certified special education teachers, speech-language, physical and occupational therapists, psychologists and teacher aides who are chosen for their knowledge and expertise in early childhood education. A consulting psychiatrist provides families with opportunities to investigate all possible solutions to their child's behavioral and attention difficulties. Support staff includes a nurse-teacher and physical education teachers. Parents are encouraged to take part in the active and supportive PTA. There are parent members on the program's Shared Decision Making team. Families are invited to take part in regularly scheduled discussion groups and training workshops. Daily communication is maintained between staff and parents through a notebook system. Individualized parent conferences are scheduled throughout the year. Parents are offered appointments for class visits and meetings with school staff on an as needed basis. Communication with students' school district is maintained through the CPSE. Contact: |
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