OUR MODEL at IMAGINE ACADEMY

 

 

Imagine Academy provides an educational program based on, and adapted to, the ages, interests, and needs of the children enrolled.  DIR is one of the methodologies for instruction at Imagine Academy, with Floortime as the primary strategy used.

 

The basic premise of DIR philosophy is that healthy emotional development is a prerequisite for social and cognitive growth.  The DIR approach relates back to one of the primary goals in education:  to develop and nurture the unique qualities of each child. This child-centered approach is used to observe the individual, tune in to emotional cues, and respond supportively.  The adult becomes both a facilitator and partner by supporting and extending the activity.  By empowering the child they learn that they can have an effect on the environment and others around them.  

 

Additionally, the children learn to be confident in their own abilities.  Allowing our students to make choices enables future decision-making and problem-solving abilities. Specific DIR-based, Floortime activities are tailored to each child’s individual needs.

Parent participation is an integral part of the Imagine Academy program.  Floortime staff work closely with caregivers to provide training, coaching and support in DIR techniques and strategies.

 

For further information about DIR and Floortime please visit the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders at www.icdl.com

 

ABA – Applied Behavioral Analysis is a comprehensive, systematic and effective evidence-based approach employed to teach students with autism and/or related developmental delays.   The science of ABA involves understanding what leads to (or doesn't lead to) new skills.  Hence, ABA provides the structure for learning new skills utilizing specific teaching and treatment components, various types of reinforcement and positive behavior support.  ABA is just as much about maintaining and using skills as about learning.

 

Our ABA program at Imagine Academy is an individualized education plan designed for each student.  It is based on an assessment of overall skill development and desired types of reinforcement.  A variety of ABA methods are adopted according to the unique needs of each individual and their family.  Data driven decision making is utilized to determine growth and learning on all programs.   We basically incorporate the best of what ABA has to offer in helping our students grow and learn.   

 

Our comprehensive ABA program, combines language and communication skills, social and play skills, academic, behavioral, vocational and independent living skills.  It is then carried out as much as possible, in every setting, every available moment. The skills that are taught so efficiently in one to one teaching sessions must be practiced and generalized in natural settings. 

Additionally, Imagine Academy integrates a unique combination of ABA and DIR/Floortime methodologies.   Our goal to implement the best parts of each therapy proves beneficial to our students.  Hence, the staff works, learns and grows together as a team. We offer components of each therapy most effective and specific to a student’s individual needs. We appreciate and respect the similarities, as well as the differences offered by each successful approach.  Consequently, our education program at Imagine Academy provides students with an extremely individualized plan designed to address their overall skill development. 

www.iteachautism.com | www.autismspeaks.org | www.polyxo.com

 

At Imagine Academy occupational therapists focus on student occupations such as self-care activities (dressing, feeding, hygiene), play skills, pre-academic skills and vocational skills.  The Occupational Therapy team evaluates each student to determine his/her occupational performance and develops a unique individualized program in order to improve on that benchmark.  

These programs may include:

 

Occupational therapists collaborate with members of the educational team (teachers and clinicians) to improve the students’ performance in a variety of learning environments such as playgrounds, classrooms, lunchrooms, bathrooms, etc., as well as in transitioning from one setting to another. 

For more information about Occupational Therapy, please visit the American Association for Occupational Therapy at www.aota.org

 

The speech department at Imagine Academy is dedicated to developing the most effective means for each student to both understand and express themselves.  When students enter the program they are given an in-depth evaluation to determine the most appropriate system of communication.   Individual staff working with each particular student are trained to use systems, pictures, signs, or speech-generating devices in order to facilitate communicative learning and expression across all facets of every day. 

The speech department creates all of the visual systems used throughout the day including visual schedules, social stories, and the visual aids used for various programs and activities.  Devices and communication systems are constantly updated to meet the growing communication needs of the student.  Our speech therapists provide individual and small group therapy sessions according to each student’s mandate.  These therapy sessions help to facilitate language and communication growth and promote a language rich environment in the classroom.  Additionally, therapists develop individual oral-motor protocols based on each child’s motor functioning, tone, and articulation profile.

For more information about Speech Therapy please visit the American Speech Language Hearing Association at www.asha.org

 

Special Education at Imagine Academy is the cornerstone of our program. Our talented NYS certified teachers tie together ABA and DIR/Floortime in daily lessons and activities at Imagine. Teachers generate and implement individualized programming for each student in their classroom. The teachers follow New York State standards when creating each student's IEP (Individualized Education Program) and work tirelessly towards achieving each child’s greatest potential.

 

Music Therapy is an integral part of treatment at Imagine Academy. This therapy is offered to support DIR®/Floortime™, counseling, and achievement of social and emotional objectives along with specific music therapy goals.  Music therapy takes place in a safe environment where students can express themselves, develop social/emotional skills, and explore within a therapeutic relationship.  The type of music therapy utilized at Imagine Academy is based on a developmental, improvisational approach. 

In a typical Music Therapy session, students will create live music together with their therapist in a meaningful, communicative, fun encounter.  Each session is as unique as the child.  Children explore different ways of producing sounds while developing their communicative abilities and strengthening their relationship building skills.

Specific social skills goals are focused on during group music therapy.  Bringing students and faculty together to create live music facilitates communication, awareness of self and others, and encourages self confidence.  Music therapy is a vital methodology utilized at Imagine Academy, and as with all of our related services, accomplishments and useful techniques gained within music therapy are carried over through all parts of the student’s day.

For further information about Music Therapy Please Visit the American Music Therapy Association at www.musictherapy.org     

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art therapy, when used in conjunction with the DIR/floortime model, is a vehicle for regulation, engagement, and creativity. Sessions at Imagine Academy include material or concept driven directives to provide a framework for therapist-child interactions or social interactions among children. Materials are carefully selected to meet the specific needs and interest of each child and can be used in a novel way to promote art therapy and DIR/floortime goals.

The art therapist uses materials and sensory art experiences to gain access to emotions and drive children to meet fundamental developmental levels. As a means of expression, art can be paramount for children who may not be able to express emotions through spoken language, acting as a tool to ease frustration and anger or to express happiness.

Each session is fluid in that it can change within the initial framework set up by the therapist with regard for the emotions and relevance to each child. The art therapist will use high affect to encourage and increase interaction working toward continuous flow, help children expand ideas by playfully obstructing familiar patterns, expand peer interactions by using highly motivating themes that require group practice and draw attention to the process of others, and expand creative play and exploration of materials. Through the use of floortime techniques, the art therapist will follow the child’s lead and guide the child through the developmental levels in accord with the DIR model.
http://www.arttherapy.org/

The speech department at Imagine Academy is dedicated to developing the most effective means for each student to both understand and express themselves.  When students enter our program they are given an in-depth evaluation to determine the most appropriate communication system.  Individual staff that work with that particular student are trained to use the system, pictures, signs, or speech-generating devices in order to facilitate use throughout the day. 

The speech department creates all the visual systems used throughout the day including visual schedules, social stories and the visual aids used for a variety of programs/activities.  Devices and communication systems are constantly updated to meet the growing communication need of the student. Our speech therapists provide individual and small group therapy sessions according to each student’s mandate.  These therapy sessions help facilitate language and communication growth and promote a language rich environment in the classroom.  Additionally, therapists develop individual oral-motor protocols based on each child’s motor functioning, tone and articulation profile.

Children derive enormous benefits from yoga.  Physically, it enhances their flexibility, strength, coordination, balance, and body awareness.  Yoga imbues a sense of calm along with improving children’s attention and relaxation.

At Imagine Academy we practice yoga every day.  We use the “Yoga Kit for Kids,” which includes colorful photograph cards of children in simple yoga positions along with an illustration of the animal or object the pose is named after.  This visual union of the pose and drawing joins physical expression and mental imagery, assisting our students to think and "enter" into the pose.  Our yoga program starts with a specific song, then the students imitate the poses presented in the cards while we focus on breathing deeply in and out of the nose, moving, stretching, and holding the body in different poses.  The one-to-one ratio of teacher to student assures greatest participation and benefits of our yoga program.

 

Imagine Academy offers many respite opportunities.  Wraparound programs are available at multiple times during the week, with full day respite offered on weekends.  We have had successful respite programs at Imagine as well as at various facilities such as Aviator Sports and local Community Centers.  On Sundays, our students become part of the community as our weekend respite program takes advantage of all the wonderful area activities and attractions.  Life skills, communication, and socialization goals are carried over from school programming to respite ensuring generalization of acquired skills.

The aquatics program at Imagine Academy combines the benefits of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, and special education with the advantages of warm water exercise. Aquatic therapy offers significant benefits for maximizing the potential for well-being as an integrated part of a student’s complete therapy program.  While working in the pool, students discover a freedom of movement not found with land-based intervention.  Warm water not only reduces body weight by up to 90%, but also encourages muscle relaxation and increased range of motion.  Moreover, the inclusion of the aquatics program during the school day encourages  students to practice their self-help skills such as dressing and self hygiene, as they have to undress, change to bathing suits, take a shower at the end of the aquatic session, and then dress again. In addition, they are practicing transitions from the classroom environment to pool and back to school.  

At Imagine Academy social skills are addressed throughout the day.  Daily group activities such as morning meetings, thematic units, and joint action routines (JARS) promote awareness of peers, group cohesion, and group problem solving.  Together with 1:1 support, students are provided with opportunities for social interactions and growth all day long.  Specific social skills goals are focused on during group music therapy sessions.  Bringing students and faculty together to create live music facilitates communication, awareness of self and others, and encourages self confidence. 

 

 

Family involvement is a crucial part of furthering the child’s development as well as meeting the emotional needs of the entire family.  Parent groups are offered to provide a forum for caregivers to share valuable information and much-needed support.  Informational topics are offered throughout the year to encourage parents to learn from one another and from our many professionals.  Parents are also encouraged to observe and join in their children’s therapy sessions to gain knowledge and experience of successful treatment methodologies. 

Sibling programming provides an educational opportunity for children to gain an understanding of their siblings’ learning differences and developmental needs.  More importantly, sibling groups offer emotional support for children who live and love a special needs brother or sister. 

 

Vocational/Life Skills Training

Preparation for long term life skills is of the utmost importance at Imagine Academy.  Students learn crucial skills from the moment they are admitted to our program.  The Occupational Therapy department develops an ‘Activities of Daily Living’ schedule (ADL) for each student in order to foster independent grooming and self help.  Along with the rest of the team, a vocational curriculum is incorporated into each student’s individualized academic and clinical program.  This curriculum molds each student’s unique interests and strengths into functional skills. 

Central to Imagine Academy’s unique program is the development of daily life activities.  Visiting the doctor, getting a haircut, and going to a restaurant are only a few examples of important life skills that may be daunting tasks for our students and their families.  Imagine Academy is committed to helping our families gain success in all daily activities, from the ordinary to special occasions.