Elementary Behavioral Disabilities
The Elementary Behavioral Disabilities program provides services for children ages 5-9 experiencing difficulties with behavioral and academic issues. Behavioral concerns may include ADHD, anxiety, depression, Bipolar disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome and anger management difficulties. The program is designed to provide strong academic and social support to improve their age-appropriate positive social and academic skills. The classes are small to insure maximum individual attention. Students receive academic instruction according to their IEP following the New Jersey Guidelines for Core Curriculum Content Standards. A class counselor provides a structured counseling component to the program consisting of both individual and large group counseling sessions. The program consists of a strong daily behavior modification component and daily parent communication. Students participate in regular education classes as much as possible. Students begin with the specials, such as Music, Phys.Ed, Art, and computers. Mainstream academic classes are assigned when deemed appropriate for the student and as per their IEP. The program participates in the school-wide Character Education projects, assemblies, and holiday parties. Several field trips are scheduled throughout the school year. Past trips have included: the pumpkin patch, Liberty Science Center, Community Theater, Lehigh-Trexler Game Preserve, and Paragon Village. Our class has enjoyed raising Monarch butterflies for the past eight years, releasing them to migrate to Mexico. Students participate in the annual Winter Showcase music program with school-wide peers. Many students develop lasting friendships with their peers that involve after school social activities.