student participating in academics

Therapeutic Learning Center - North School

 

195 Collincote Street ~ Stoneham, MA. 02180

Phone: (781) 438-8353

Fax: (781) 438-7864

Principal: Kristine Ducker M.Ed

Student Profile: 
The SEEM Collaborative Therapeutic Learning Center is a public therapeutic day school program servicing students ranging in age from 3 to 12 years who present with behavioral and/or academic challenges that in the Team's judgment warrant an out of district placement.   Students enrolled in our program exhibit cognitive and or language deficits that significantly impact their ability to perform at grade level expectations.   Our students present with diagnoses that range from moderate to severe including, but not limited to: Expressive and Receptive Language Delay, Developmental Delay, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Down Syndrome and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Our students require a highly structured, low stimulation environment with consistent routines, low student to staff ratio and specially designed behavioral and academic programs.  Our team of highly motivated teachers and specialists use an array of research based intervention approaches, curriculum resources and assistive technology, combined with an in-depth understanding of each student’s unique needs, interests and skills to enhance motivation and learning. 

Instruction:
North School uses a developmentally sequenced curriculum based on the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. An emphasis is placed on communication, academic readiness, reading, mathematics as well as the development of self-help, interpersonal and social skills.  The use of a behavioral approach and developmental continuum framework creates a common language for staff and parents, allows for a systematic approach to instruction as well as ongoing objective assessment of student progress.   All Instructional programs provide clear targets and are designed to meet the unique needs of each student. 

  • Academic Readiness:  Some of our students require direct instruction to develop the skills necessary for them to learn.  Examples of skills targeted include: attention, imitation, matching, labeling, requesting, following directions, participating in a group as well as social, and play skills.
  • Reading: Due to the complex nature of the population we serve, staff consult with a reading specialist to provide a balanced approach to literacy which incorporates the five components of reading: fluency, comprehension, phonemic awareness, phonics and vocabulary instruction. 
  • Mathematics: With the support of a math coach, staff provide instruction in mathematics that not only teaches basic computational skills, but also assists children to develop the thinking skills necessary to solve real-life problems. Students are encouraged to become good problem solvers through opportunities to represent mathematical problems using manipulatives, demonstrate generalization of mathematical concepts, and solve problems in everyday contexts. Math concepts are reinforced with functional activities such as cooking and life skills problems such as making purchases. 
  • Life Skills:  Students have daily opportunities to increase their independence in self-help skills. The content covered is dependent on individual student need and ranges from toileting, feeding and self-care skills to hygiene and health curriculum.  Students participate in community field trips where they are provided an opportunity to practice social, behavioral and life skills in real life situations.  Additionally, students participate in weekly Social Skills Groups as well as daily cooperative or facilitated play activities.  Skills targeted range from joint attention and imitation to social pragmatic skills.  
  • Science and Social Studies:  Science and social studies activities are adapted from MA Curriculum Frameworks to meet the student’s developmental level.  Content covered may range from identifying science or social studies related vocabulary to accessing the grade level standard with significant accommodations.

Specialized Services: 
Students participate in weekly adaptive physical education classes. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, counseling and vision and mobility instruction are delivered in accordance with the student’s Individualized Education Plan. Specialists consult regularly with the classroom staff to aid in the generalization of discipline specific skills to the classroom setting. 

Behavioral Support: 
The North School employs a functional approach to addressing behavioral concerns.  Specific behavioral interventions are selected based on the function of the student’s behavior (what the child is attempting to communicate when engaging in a behavior), skill level, the triggers of the behavior, and the incentives for positive behavior.  Behavior support plans include measures to teach appropriate behavior and to reduce problem behaviors through scientifically validated methodologies (i.e. Applied Behavior Analysis, Positive Behavior Intervention & Support) and a least intrusive intervention philosophy.  In order to increase the student’s potential for success, staff first attempt to make accommodations or modifications to the classroom environment.  Examples include increasing structure (i.e. through use of visual supports/schedules), increasing the level of assistance or incorporating sensory breaks/activities (i.e. deep pressure, walks with staff).  Additionally, staff apply a variety of teaching techniques to teach more socially appropriate behavior such as picture supports, scripting, modeling, social stories, rehearsal of appropriate behavior, reinforcement of successive approximations of appropriate behavior as well as the use of natural consequences and positive reinforcement.   

Consultation Services: 
Our clinical team consists of the principal, psychologist, social worker, behavior specialist and school nurse.  This team works collaboratively to provide consultation to our classroom staff to address behavioral challenges as well as to support skill acquisition. In addition, our clinical team is available to provide consultation to families, assistance with accessing community supports and to collaborate with the student’s collateral supports. 

With the assistance of our specialists and seasoned teachers, the clinical team provides the following in-service training for the North School staff:

  • Applied Behavior Analysis
  • Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavior Support Plans
  • Structured Teaching and Data Collection
  • Creating Language Opportunities
  • Facilitated Play
  • Assistive Technology
  • Therapeutic Crisis Intervention
  • Team Communication
  • CPR/ First Aid