Our Program
Educational Program
Each student's program is individualized and driven by the goals developed in their Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The day is divided into multiple academic and therapeutic sessions based on each student's IEP.
Academic sessions are provided in three formats: student to teacher, student to aide, and group settings. Movement or sensory breaks are incorporated into each academic session to help students maintain focus and achieve academic success.
Life and self-help skills are another primary component of GLA’s educational model. Students work with teachers, aides, and therapists in order to develop the daily living and vocational skills that are crucial to adulthood and leading productive and active lives.
Related Therapy Services
Students receive related services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy based on their IEP needs. Therapy services may be provided in small groups or one on one within the therapy room and/or as one on one support during a classroom activity or experience.
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Behavioral Therapy
Applied behavioral analysis in an academic setting is used to promote positive behavior intervention strategies. -
Occupational Therapy
Helping students develop the necessary gross and fine motor skills to participate as independently as possible in activities in all environments. -
Individual/Milieu Therapy
Students will receive professional services from counselors trained in providing mental health and dual diagnosis treatment to help them identify their strengths in order to help them move forward with their life goals. -
Speech/Language Therapy
Helping students develop functional and appropriate receptive, expressive and pragmatic language skills.
Community Based
Community environments and target skills are selected for students by evaluation of their individual needs and recommendations made by students, parents/guardians, and teachers.
Additional Services
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Adaptive Physical Education Activities
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Art
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Computers
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Music
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Hygiene
Daily Activities/Schedule
Morning Routines
Students appropriately enter school, unpack backpack & put away supplies (e.g. lunch box, parent communication binder), greet teachers and peers, review the daily schedule, and complete “morning work” (e.g. file folder) activities with their Teacher Assistant.
Morning Group Time
Teacher directed/whole group instruction facilitating social interactions and appropriate greetings, complete calendar and weather related activities, individual calendar binders and personal information activities and discuss general announcements for the day.
Small Group Academics
Dynamic and multi-sensory, Teacher-directed lessons based on current curriculum and theme. Goals are established through the IEP process and include Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies and Life Skills.
Related Therapy Services
Students receive related services such as speech therapy and occupational therapy based on their IEP needs. Therapy services may be provided in small groups or one on one within the therapy room and/or as one on one support during a classroom activity or experience.
Individual Academics
Students work one on one with their Teacher Assistant and engage in individualized Teacher generated lessons based on current curriculum and theme for individual IEP goal areas. E.g. Reading, Math, Science and Social Studies.
Lunch
Students bring lunch from home or can order a lunch from school. Peer interactions are facilitated by the Teacher Assistant and Teacher during lunch. Self-help and daily living skills are promoted for independence and snack time opportunities are offered to students throughout their day.
Recess & Small Group Play
Peer play is facilitated by the Teacher and Teacher Assistants during indoor and/or outdoor activities.
Peer Social Groups
Students are paired in small groups according to individual profiles and natural interests, supported by therapists (Speech Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist and teacher assistant) to facilitate peer interaction and friendships. As well as, in class social skills groups which students participate in games/activities to promote turn taking, team building skills and skills to enhance the students ability to follow rules/directions.
Fine Arts
Students participate in small group experiences tailored to their individual needs and interests in the areas of music and art with the support of their teacher and teacher assistant. Activities allow students to identify and describe elements of shape, space, color, texture and pattern. As well as sensory experiences and hands on activities.
Adaptive Physical Education
Teacher will demonstrate and teach exercise routines in small/individualized groups. Routines include exercises that incorporate flexibility, aerobic activity (raising the heart rate) and muscular strength or endurance. As well as, foundational skills in team sports.
Vocational Work/Jobs
Students are supported to choose and perform jobs within their classroom or school environment. Jobs are offered based on each student’s developmental level, individual profile and natural interests.
Vocational Food Group
Students participate in cooking and meal preparation, following recipes to create snacks and meals for themselves and others, promoting independence, skills for math and literacy concepts and peer relationships.
Life Skills/Hygiene
Students participate in daily grooming activities, led by Teacher Assistant, which include skills such as brushing teeth, applying deodorant, hair brushing, washing face, etc.
Computers
Students utilize technology for educational programming and/or recreational skills. As well as complete curriculum based activities through programs such as VizZle, Reading A-Z and News-2-You.
End of the Day Routine
Group engagement opportunity for students to come together and summarize their activities of the day, say goodbye to peers and staff, engage in silent reading and complete student’s jobs/responsibilities
Classroom
Counseling
Sensory Room
PAES Lab
