What we saw was better than I could have imagined, an all-around encouraging experience.
This is the list of questions (and her answers) that I asked of the teacher while I was there.
* What is the student-to-teacher ratio? How large is the class generally?
-The class is eight students to four adults--three aides and one teacher. There are also therapists coming in and out all day long as well. That puts the s-2-t ratio right at about 2-3 students per adult, most of the time.
*What is the integration rate into the PALs class or general education?
-The goal is not for the students to become career adapts, but to progress enough to be integrated back into mainstream.
*What is the age range/grade range of the students in the class?
-Kindergarten through second grade, which is 5 to around 8. The adapt class next door to them is third through fifth.
*How is aggression handled?
-Aggression is mostly addressed through redirection (moving the child away from the undesired behavior to a preferred activity) or through calming with sensory activities. If the aggression is behavioral instead of communicative or sensory, the parents and teacher can discuss a more punitive reaction, such as a brief time-out.
*Does the class participate in specials?
-They go to Art and music and PE, just like all the other students. They take it in shifts, however--two aides will take four of the kids to the special, while the teacher and the other aide stay in the class with the other four. Then the groups switch.
*Where do the students get interactive time with neurotypically developing peers?
-The students share "specials" together with the gen-ed peers, such as music, PE, and art, as well as eating in the cafeteria together. They also have fifth grade "buddies" that come and play with them.
*What experience do you have with autism?
-She told me about her years of working in special education and the different training she has had; there are other AU kids in her class.
*What is the primary communication method for students?
-There are picture schedules and pecs books set up everywhere, as well as several types of communication devices. There is group speech therapy as well as individual speech every week.
*How do you communicate with the parent?
-She sends home a journal every day with what the child did, how his/her day went, what they are working on and what they are doing well. If there is a problem that needs to be addressed or the student is struggling, she will call or email. If the child is injured, she will call and let the parent know.
*What motivation strategies are used?
-They have "I am working for" charts, where there is a picture of the child and a picture of what they want--special treat, jumping on the trampoline, playing with a balloon, whatever. Each time the student participates in an activity or displays positive behavior, they put it on the chart. Once they reach five positive behaviors, they get their reward.
*How is independence fostered?
-Students have some unstructured free time in which they are able to choose their activity from several centers, including many, many sensory centers. There is also a sensory lab right off the room where there is a fiberoptic waterfall and blacklight and all sorts of amazing gidgety-gadgety stuff.
Gabriel would have to get through several sets of locked doors and out of a chain link fence to escape from his class. The teacher is incredibly nice and patient; most of her answers were asking about Gabriel and what would make us happier and more comfortable with him being there. She's obviously has experience with special needs. The classroom is large and spacious, and the entire atmosphere is laid back and relaxed, soothing. All the students seemed at ease and confident, well-cared for and well-loved. The classroom has its own bathroom.
Really, it was a lovely experience. Everyone was so nice and seemed to enjoy their jobs and enjoy the students, gentle, quiet people in a gentle, quiet environment.
There is still a lot to consider and discuss, but a transition to a different campus and a different class is not sounding like a completely unrealistic possibility.
-Andie
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