GIVING TREE SCHOOL

Giving Tree School is a unique non-public school that provides an intensive education for children diagnosed within the autism spectrum for preschool through first grade aged students.

This colorful and enriching environment provides opportunities for young students to learn the essential skills for academic and social success. It is our goal to prepare each of our students for a positive experience once transitioning back into their district at kindergarten, first, or second grade. Because social skills and play skills are as important as academic skills, this school provides an “imagination/play room,” and a circle time room, in addition to its four academic learning pods. Students rotate through the learning pods, circle time and imaginary play time in groups of two. The day is structured to maximize learning time while providing opportunities for play, and creative learning.

Our program is consistent with “Best Practices for Children with Autism” as we utilize an Applied Behavior Analytic Approach. Giving Tree provides a one to one adult to student ratio for preschoolers and a one to two adult to student ratio for kinder/first graders in the classroom via a credentialed teacher, lead instructional assistant and seven instructional assistants for ten students. All instructional assistants meet “No Child Left Behind (NCLB)” standards. In addition, both a licensed Speech and Language Pathologist and a licensed Occupational Therapist provide individual and push in therapy to students. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst is also on staff to provide specialized behavioral support when needed.

Two preschool sessions are offered; one morning session of three hours and one afternoon session of three hours. Preschool hours can be supplemented by participation in our center based program. One kinder/first grade session is offered daily of which is five hours in length.

Students are assessed utilizing the “Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills,” “Desired Results Developmental Profile Access”, “Brigance Inventory of Early Development “, as well as those included in the Open Court Curriculum. Instruction methods provided are: direct instruction, discrete trials training, pivotal response training, natural language paradigm, errorless learning, and fluency based instruction. It is our goal to prepare students for a kindergarten, first or second grade classroom by teaching classroom behavior, social skills, and pre-academic and academic skills consistent with state curriculum. Preparedness checklists are completed on all exiting students to assist the IEP team in determining the appropriate educational placement upon transition.

GIVING TREE PRESCHOOL

Giving Tree Preschool is a unique non-public school that provides an intensive education for children diagnosed within the autism spectrum.

This colorful and enriching environment provides opportunities for preschoolers to learn the essential skills for academic and social success. It is our goal to prepare each of our students for a kindergarten experience. Because social skills and play skills are as important as academic skills, this preschool provides an “imagination room,” and a circle time room, in addition to its four academic learning pods. Students rotate through the learning pods, circle time and imaginary play time in groups of two. The day is structured to maximize learning time while providing opportunities for play, and creative learning.

Our program is consistent with “Best Practices for Children with Autism” as we utilize an Applied Behavior Analytic Approach. Giving Tree provides a one to one adult to student ratio in the classroom via a credentialed teacher, lead instructional assistant and eight instructional assistants for ten students. All instructional assistants meet “No Child Left Behind (NCLB)” standards. In addition, a licensed Speech and Language Pathologist provides individual and push in therapy to students.

Two preschool sessions are offered; one morning session of three hours and one afternoon session of three hours. Preschool hours can be supplemented by participation in our center based program.

Students are assessed utilizing the “Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills,” “Desired Results Developmental Profile Access,” as well as those included in the Open Court Curriculum. Instruction methods provided are: direct instruction, discrete trials training, pivotal response training, natural language paradigm, errorless learning, and fluency based instruction. It is our goal to prepare students for a kindergarten classroom by teaching classroom behavior, social skills, and pre-academic skills consistent with state curriculum. Kindergarten preparedness checklists are completed on all exiting students to assist the IEP team in determining the appropriate educational placement upon transition.