Background
About the School
Parents as Partners
Inside the Classroom
SARC



	\| Therapeutic Program \|Academic Program \| \| The Physical Environment \|

Academic Program

Reading

Reading is a part of the daily curriculum and is based on the California Standards. To make reading a more relevant learning experience, handmade books that relate to students’ interests are also used to teach reading. These books relate to real life situations and experiences which each student has had, and are personalized through photographs and pictures. This approach provides a functional learning experience by drawing upon people and real life situations familiar to the students.

Math

Math is a part of the daily curriculum and based on the California Standards. In the same way reading is made relevant through personalized books, so too is math. Math concepts, which relate easily to classroom experiences such as cooking, are taught throughout the day. Understanding mathematical concepts such as relational thinking or problem solving are taught in real life classroom situations and community experiences.

Science

Science is a part of the curriculum based on the California Standards. Instruction includes hands-on activities to help students learn concepts through concrete learning experiences.

Social Studies

Social Studies is a part of the curriculum based on the California Standards. Instruction includes activities and experiences that relate to everyday life, most commonly taught and learned in classroom activities and community outings.

Art

Art is an activity rich in sensory experiences, fine motor opportunities, self-expression and creativity that contributes to conceptual learning and creative expression.

Physical Education

Physical Education is provided to all students as part of an integrated learning experience. The program is designed by Occupational Therapists and Teachers to help each student make gains in motor development, motor planning and self-regulation.

Group Time

Group time is a natural time to learn about taking responsibility for assigned jobs, waiting for a turn, taking a turn, cooperating, and learning about others through a shared experience. Daily information about weather, calendar and anticipated day’s events are discussed. Group time is also a time for teaching new academic skills, reviewing mastered skills, and introducing new concepts. Group time also includes music, movement, concepts and feelings. Since group time is a daily experience, rules and expectations are familiar to all students, previously mastered tasks and activities are a regular feature of group time, helping students reinforce and generalize what they have learned.

Handwriting

Handwriting is taught using the program Handwriting Without Tears, a program designed by an Occupational Therapist. It is multi-sensory and uses a simple two-line approach, which makes handwriting a successful experience for children with even the most challenging difficulties.

Community Experiences

Field trips into the community are weekly and are theme based. The location of WLC offers a variety of opportunities to learn within a community setting. Visits to the post office, library and grocery store are frequent sites visited. Grocery store shopping is always related to the week’s cooking project as well as other food activities of the day.

Cooking

Cooking is once a week and is the synthesis of many of the skills and concepts taught throughout the week, done in a more informal, relaxed and fun way. Theme based cooking stresses independence and concept generalization.

Disclaimer

Autism is a complex disorder. The information presented here is, of necessity, general in nature. Please consult with a qualified professional concerning your specific questions. The opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors.