Early Education Program
(Children's Readiness Center)
Student Disability: Significant
Developmental Delays
Student Age:
3 to 5
Students who attend this state-of-the-art early
education center are referred to the preschool program through their local
district's Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) and to the early
elementary component through their district's Committee on Special Education (CSE)
Each student's individualized education plan (IEP) indicates the need for the
program's highly individualized behavioral approach.
As part of the program's educational/behavioral
approach, the program’s staff, who have been specially trained, tracks results
of each child's activities in continuous documentation. Program goals include
not only developing the youngsters' communication skills and increasing their
social interaction but also accomplishing individualized educational goals in
preacademic and academic programs. The staff is continually aware of the needs
of the whole child. Parents and family learn educational strategies that can be
used with the children at home, and family input is invaluable to the staff.
Upon entering the program the young student
experiences complete engagement with his/her teacher. Through small group
sessions, he/she learns to remain focused and on task. Repetition is an
essential part of the ABA instructional strategy, and each task learned involves
constant reinforcement through practice and reward. Continual records are kept
on each task to keep the youngster's individual program current. As the child
progresses, he/she engages in group activities and community experiences.
Basic academics are introduced within the
intensive behavioral approach. Each child's learning activities are specially
designed to meet his/her needs, but all the children participate in activities
that build language skills and social interaction. Socialization is increased
particularly through the small group experiences where youngsters learn to
interact with classmates.
Individualized computer instruction helps
reinforce academic skills. Activities of Daily Living (ADL) skills instruction
is provided within the program's overall behavioral approach. Toilet training is
provided if necessary. Innovative methods used include the Picture Exchange
Communication System (PECS), a method that involves trading a picture of an
actual item for the item itself. A progressive total communication system
involving spoken words and symbols is also used to increase communication
skills.
The program’s interdisciplinary staff
including members of the teaching staff, the program's social worker,
psychologist, occupational, physical and speech therapists and administrative
personnel work as a team. Related Services are provided by occupational,
physical and speech therapists either on a consultative model where the
therapist works with the teacher or in a direct service design where the
therapist works directly with the child. The program's psychologist also works
with students on an as needed basis. Some related services are provided in the
child's classroom while others are provided in separate areas. A social skills
enrichment program and adaptive physical education are also provided.
At regularly scheduled workshops, parents or
guardians learn educational strategies that can be used at home to reinforce the
youngster's learning. Parents are part of the development of their child's
program, and they are continually informed about his or her progress. Parents
have scheduled meetings throughout the school year. The social worker and other
staff members are available to meet with parents as the need arises.
Contact:
Amy
Goldstein, Principal
Michael DiAngelo, Assistant Principal
Children's Readiness Center
2351
Jerusalem Avenue
North
Bellmore. NY 11710
Phone: (516)
719-6070
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