Center-Based Preschool Classrooms

1. Deaf/Hard of Hearing Classroom – 1 deaf educator, 2 signing teacher assistances, 1 speech language pathologist (SLP) and part-time occupational therapist (OT).

• Total communication program – using both signing and verbal
• Primary focus communication signing, using residual hearing left, PECS, communication devices, pre-literacy and written word and finger spelling and language experiences

• Incorporates a variety of treatment techniques
• The goal is to help the child develop the ability to relate with others, problem solve independently and communicate with others
• Treatment techniques for Autism utilized in our classroom include discrete trial training, visual schedules, Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS), workboxes, etc. The combination of techniques used will depend upon the individual needs of each child.

• Uses a variety of assistive communication devices

• Work with parents because this is the first time they will see their child in a functional classroom setting.
• Work to transition them to their school districts

• 1 early childhood special educator, 1 speech language pathologist, 1 occupational therapist, 1 classroom assistant

• Eat breakfast- feeding intervention and therapeutic feeds, communication needs and wants through a variety of communication techniques
• Center time- 11 learning centers set up with theme related activities where therapies can take place
• Circle time- songs, theme related topics, name and picture identification, sit in different seating devices and position, use communication devices
• Gross motor- in gym or on playground, set up obstacle course, skating, scooters
• Art or table time activities
• Eat lunch
• Nap

• a child may only be here for 3-8 hours and receive only 1-2 hours of therapy, but they actually receive more, because we teach each other to carry out our therapy activities and they are doing therapy activities the entire time they are here
  for example: a teacher assistant in one of the classrooms was shown how to do Kaufman card with a child by the speech therapist and she does it with the child daily and he is showing huge gains due to this.

• All the classrooms use the Emerging Language and Literacy curriculum in their classrooms
• It is adapted to meet each classrooms need
• It is a curriculum based on 22 story book themes that have a main book, related and rhyming book with letters/sounds, vocabulary and prepositions
• Has circle, phonological groups, and 11 learning centers (art, tactile, math and science, construction, dramatic play, technology, listening, language and literacy, reading, writing, and create-a-book, and special snacks
• Field trips related to the themes

• notes are sent home on a daily basis
• parent teacher conferences 2 times a year
• parent meetings 
• talk with parents before and after school discussing activity ideas to do at home
• attend doctor appointments with them
• attend IFSP, IEP and transition meeting

• There are 1-4 peer models in each classroom

• Aquatic therapy
• Feeding
• Sensory Integration
• Seating
• Bi-lingual
• Sign Language
• Augmentative Communication
• PECS

• Outpatient
• Home-based
• School district contracts
• Operation Breakthrough
• Empowerment/PLAY project