The Arbor Students
Many of the Arbor children have a primary diagnosis of Down syndrome or cerebral palsy, plus additional medical disabilities such as heart defects, vision and hearing problems. Other children at The Arbor have a diagnosis of autism, language delays or central nervous system or genetic disorders, as well as physical mobility challenges that confine them to wheelchairs.
Keys to Success
The Arbor program is based on the belief that all children have an extraordinary
capacity to learn and will realize their greatest potential in a structured,
purposeful learning environment that:
• Emphasizes the mastery of skills and knowledge appropriate to each
child’s capability;
• Works from a research-based curriculum and methodologies;
• Is family-centered, supporting the family in its efforts to meet
their child’s developmental challenges;
• Utilizes an activity-based approach to intervention by embedding
each child’s goals and objectives within routine, planned, or child-initiated
activities that are motivating and developmentally appropriate;
• Incorporates methods and strategies from Applied Behavior Analysis;
• The Arbor employs Precision Teaching methods and strategies with
every child.
• Involves cross-disciplinary participation. Physical therapy, occupational
therapy, speech therapy and psychological services are available on campus,
combining educational and therapeutic approaches in meeting children’s
individual goals and objectives;
• Provides continuous assessment of each child’s progress;
• Maintains a low student/teacher ratio of approximately 2:1, necessary
for maximum achievement;
• Is staffed by highly skilled, loving, dedicated and experienced
faculty;
• Effectively integrates the latest technologies and methodologies
for maximum results;
• Provides year-round education for optimum learning opportunities.
Curriculum
The Arbor utilizes an activity-based approach to intervention. It is a child-directed,
transactional approach that embeds intervention on children’s individual
goals and objectives in routine, planned or child-initiated activities and
uses logically occurring antecedents and consequences to development functional
and generative skills. The Arbor approach is grounded in the principles
of Applied Behavior Analysis.
After the student is enrolled, The Carolina Curriculum and a curriculum-based assessment process is utilized to determine each child’s level of development. The initial assessment takes place over an extended period of time, allowing the child time to demonstrate skills that have been acquired and generalized. The Arbor School also utilizes The Assessment of Basic Language & Learning Skills and The New England Center for Children Curriculum to supplement the Carolina Curriculum with some children.
Development of the I.E.P.
Results of the assessment, plus information from parents and other agencies, are used to determine meaningful, individualized goals and objectives. Individual performance on objectives are charted on a daily basis and objective's interventions are adjusted accordingly.
Monitoring Progress
Each child’s progress is monitored continuously with the parents receiving
daily “Tell-A-Grams” and monthly updates of goals and objectives.
Parent/Staff conferences are scheduled every three months and teachers talk
with parents nearly every day.
Teachers at The Arbor School in consultation with consultants and supervisors design the environment to maximize children’s progress by:
• Permitting the child to initiate activities whenever possible.
• Following the child’s lead unless the behavior or activity
is too repetitive, regressive, or does not lead toward individualized education
plan (I.E.P.) goals.
• Introducing planned activities that hold meaning for the children.
• Incorporating methods and strategies from applied behavior analysis.
• Monitoring children’s involvement and interest in activities,
and change or rearrange them when motivation wanes.
• Constantly observing children’s behavior and acting on opportunities
to enhance their problem-solving skills.
• Interacting and sharing information with therapists who are actively
involved with Arbor students.
Admissions
The Arbor School provides intensive educational intervention for children, birth
through age eighteen, evidencing developmental delays, or those at risk
due to diagnosed handicapping conditions.
The Arbor provides equal educational opportunities with regard to handicap, religion, race, color, sex, or national origin.
Regulary scheduled parent information tours are held each month. Because of continual medical expenses, many not covered by insurance, parents have limited financial resources to utilize for their children’s education. To assist these families, a minimal tuition is charged which covers approximately one-third of the school’s expenses; the balance being raised through continuous fundraising events in the community.
For more information, call The Arbor School at (713) 827-8830 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, or Click here to contact The Arbor School.
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