Education Center

Helping Hands Center offers a variety of different classroom models, servicing students ages 3 and higher. Classroom types range from intensive individualized classrooms with 1:1 instruction time to small group classroom models with 2-3 teachers and 6-9 students, including typical peer models.

Classrooms use principles of Applied Behavior Analysis to target individual language and academic goals, as well as behavior management. Social interaction is targeted through the use of peer buddies. We believe this integrated model maximizes services and reaches an additional population of children looking for a continuum of services. Included in the yearly tuition for the 2007-2008 school year is an hour a week of music therapy.

Also available for an additional cost or utilizing a different funding source, are speech therapy services, occupational therapy services, psychological services, intensive feeding programming, and educational consultation. If you feel your child would benefit from any additional services which are not listed below, please feel free to contact a director regarding your personal needs. Our goal continues to be to offer child centered services meeting each family's individual needs.

2007-2008 Classrooms

Young Preschoolers Group/DTI Combination Classroom:This AM young preschool group model classroom will include children ages 2.5-4 years old and will include typical peer models. This classroom will focus on generalization of skills during small group instruction with emphasis on socialization and beginning academic/developmental skills. Students are HIGHLY encouraged, but not required to attend the PM DTI session in the afternoon for a full day classroom. Students may attend half days 8:45 - 11:15 AM or full days: 8:45AM - 3:15 PM for Full Day Combination, Monday through Friday.

Pre-Kindergarten Combination Classroom: This Combination classroom will include children 3.5 through 5.5 years old and will include typical peer models in the AM session. The morning session will focus on the generalization of skills during small group instruction with emphasis on more pre-kindergarten social and academic skills, and the afternoon session will involve more teacher support and will focus more on building individual skills using ABA and other very small group instruction. Students will attend full days, Monday through Friday.

Kindergarten Group/Combination Classroom: This kindergarten group model classroom will include children ages 4.5-6 years old and will include typical peer models. In the morning, this classroom will focus on the generalization of mastered and learning of novel skills during small group and larger group instruction, with emphasis on age appropriate academic and social skill development. In the afternoon, the focus will move to building individualized skills using some ABA strategies and other very small group instruction with increased teacher support. Students will attend full days, Monday through Friday.

School-Agers Group Classrooms: This Multi-age environment will include children aged appropriately for First through Fifth grade in a group model classroom. Children will attend a full day small group classroom split up into two groups (1st and 2nd graders and 3rd-5th graders). Students will work on all academic and social skill areas in conjunction with their IEP goals, and will have the additional opportunity to participate in many enrichment groups including music and movement, physical education, drama and social language, arts and crafts, and a community awareness class.

Full Day DTI Classroom: This D.T.I (Discreet Trial Instruction), intensive classroom model will include children of many different age and ability levels working on individualized ABA programming in a 1:1 setting. Students will have the opportunity to participate in many small group socialization opportunities, including circle time, snack time, and arts and crafts. Students will attend full days, Monday through Friday.