The earlier a child diagnosed with autism receives interventions, the more likely they will be to successfully overcome many of the behavioral and developmental challenges of autism. While interventions might start while the child is still a toddler, early interventions are not the last hope for children on the spectrum. Educational interventions beginning when the child reaches preschool and kindergarten are essential for helping students on the spectrum succeed academically.
Students With Autism in the Classroom
It’s no secret that students with autism don’t learn or behave in the classroom the same as their typically developing peers. Those struggles are why so many schools fail to effectively integrate academic support for students with autism into general education classrooms.
But just because a child struggles to excel in a typical classroom setting does not mean that they can’t be successful in school. When a student with autism is placed in the right educational environment and given the right support systems, there is every reason to believe they can make great strides academically, socially, and personally.
At Spero Academy, we provide a responsive learning environment and personalized learning plans to help students with autism and other disabilities succeed in the classroom and beyond. Adaptive programs and personalized instruction are just two of the educational interventions that allow students with autism to thrive at Spero.
Educational Interventions for Autism
Spero employs a number of educational interventions to help our students succeed. Our differentiated programs focus on developing core capabilities while integrating academics with social and emotional development. Read on to learn how our Strategic Intents translate into educational interventions.
Small Teacher-to-Student Ratios
What works for one student with autism may not work for another. That’s why the opportunity for individualized instruction is so important. Sometimes it takes one-on-one time with the teacher for a concept to truly stick. Small teacher-to-student ratios at Spero make it possible for our teachers to spend one-on-one time with all students throughout the week, such as during self-selected reading time.
Personalized Learning Support Classrooms
Some students require a smaller, more concentrated learning environment to reach their full potential. For those students, we have Personalized Learning Support (PLS) classrooms. PLS placement is for students that need additional support in areas such as basic communication skills, fine and gross motor mastery, and functional academic skills. Each PLS classroom is led by one licensed special education teacher along with additional support staff for up to 8 students.
Achieve Program
Entering its third year at Spero, the Achieve program is designed to help our students gain confidence and build academic skills. During Achieve, students work on IEP (individualized education program) goals while engaging in independent task completion. Students in the Achieve program are pulled out of class for 30 minutes each day for concentrated work on IEP goals with the Achieve team. Each student is assessed twice a year in addition to daily data tracking to monitor progress.
Collaborative Teaming
One of the things that differentiates Spero Academy from a regular public school is that we are able to employ collaborative teaming among staff, specialists, and families to integrate our personalized education programs. Public schools are often stretched thin and don’t have the resources necessary to effectively share information among the various teachers and support staff assigned to a student with autism. At Spero, that information flows freely, allowing us to coordinate and adapt each student’s education according to their development and progress.
Identify Learning Styles
While common wisdom may say that people with autism are predominantly visual learners, we know that our students display a variety of academic strengths and unique learning styles. Identifying a student’s learning preferences and needs is essential for developing a personalized educational plan for them.
Interested in learning more about these and other educational interventions for autism at Spero Academy? Contact us to schedule a meeting or school tour.