Description of Student Population

Children in this class have supported general education opportunities at grade level within the Littleton Middle School, individually constructed, per IEPs.  The class also has an affiliation with the CASE ABA Program which may provide any or all of the following for a given student: support in the CASE or mainstream classroom, parent training, summer programming, parent or staff consultation, in-service to staff, or other related services.

Target enrollment in this class is seven students, and the staff-to-student ratio is between 1:1 and 1:2.  This class may follow the CASE class at Russell Street Elementary School as part of a 4 class sequence serving students aged 3 to 15.  The development of a program for graduates of this class is currently in the planning stages, and is expected to open in an area high school in September 2013.

Description of Classroom Curriculum

Along with following the Massachusetts State Curriculum with appropriate modifications and accommodations, this class focuses on social and language skills, functional life skills, health and fitness, and pre-vocational skills.  Currently the students go swimming once a week to serve both fitness and sensory needs.  In addition, the students go out into the community on a regular basis to apply their social, language, safety, and money skills to real life situations.  The classroom is equipped with a fitness area including a treadmill, exercise bike, stability balls, and yoga mats to accommodate daily fitness routines.  Along with gym inclusion (when appropriate), the students also participate in an Adapted Physical Education class once a week, which is run by a licensed physical therapist.  The classroom is also equipped with a small kitchen area in order to accommodate our cooking curriculum.

A strong priority in this classroom is generalization of skills across environments.  The students in this class participate in a weekly social skills group, which is run by a licensed counselor.  Along with regular inclusion (when appropriate) the students also participate in the Best Buddies program in which students from the general education classrooms come into the class to participate in small groups that focus on appropriate peer interactions, social skills, and communication skills.

Therapy Services

Occupational therapy, speech/language therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis, and physical therapy are incorporated into the students' programs, per IEPs.  Sensory "diet" opportunities are common for students in this program.

Behavioral Parameters

This class is equipped to address a range of behaviors, but behaviors that compromise staff or student safety or behaviors that make it difficult or impossible for other students in or near the classroom to learn are beyond the scope of the program.  Students will have, as a matter of routine, an individualized Behavior Management Plan to be reviewed annually or as needed.  A parent component for this program includes bi-monthly "clinics" focusing specifically on each student's behaviors and at-home strategies for intervention.

Teacher Qualifications

The teacher for this class is a DESE licensed special educator with extensive training and experienced in ABA, a methodology often recommended for children on the autism spectrum.

Additional Information

Placement in CASE programs follows consensus between the sending school district, parent, and CASE staff.  Current, signed IEP and placement pages are required for enrollment in all CASE classes.  Referrals to a CASE program are initiated by the school district.  Parents may obtain additional information about this or other CASE classes by contacting the special education office in their local school district.  District personnel may obtain additional information by contacting the CASE office at the number below.

Please direct inquiries and referrals to:

Sandra Daigneault
Program Administrator
978-318-1536
sdaigneault@colonial.net