By Alyssa Laubach

 

New Summit School Is Expanding Its Services
to Provide The Spectrum Academy

 

God is great and His timing is perfect. We at New Summit School are excited to announce the expansion of our services to provide a school readiness academy for children with autism. After years of guidance and praying for direction on how we can help students, parents, other schools, and agencies, God has lead us to open The Spectrum Academy this August on the campus of New Summit School.

 

The purpose of the academy is to enhance the lives of students through individualized education, to train parents in applied behavioral analysis (ABA) methods, and to expand services for children on the spectrum.

 

Our vision is to provide evidence-based instruction tailored to meet the needs of the individual and to prepare each student to reach his or her highest level of independence.

 

The Spectrum Academy has partnered with The Growing Tree for ABA services and with Beyond Therapy for occupational therapy and physical therapy. These services have a foundation in applied behavioral analysis. ABA methods will be used in the classrooms to motivate and to teach skills acquisition and positive behavior to students throughout the day.

 

The staff at the Spectrum Academy consists of licensed special education instructors, registered behavior technicians, and board-certified behavior analysts (BCBA). The Academy will offer additional specialized services including speech and language therapy, dyslexia therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.

 

The administration of the academy believe that every child can reach his or her full potential when social, academic, behavioral, and language skills are targeted through individualized instruction. Multiple skills and behaviors that children need to successfully function within a classroom environment will be taught for school readiness beyond the academy.

 

Key focus points of instruction will include increasing language, potty training, and beginning academic skills. Goals will include increasing independence through academic skills, following a personal schedule, and following classroom instructions. The academy will also help students who are on the verge of integration with peers in a standard classroom setting.

 

Each day in the academy, a student will receive instruction in a group setting and will finish academic tasks in the classroom. The goal for each student is to be prepared for a school of the family’s choice, whether the child will attend independently or with the support of a shadow.

 

Our mission for the Spectrum Academy is to empower students to achieve their full potential and to prepare them for academic success. For more information, please call 601.982.7827 or email info@msspectrumacademy.com.

 

 

Alyssa Laubach is the Media Coordinator for the Mississippi Community Education Center. She can be reached at alaubach@mscec.org.