Program Description

Serendipity’s Communication Classroom provides a multi-disciplinary approach to best support the unique needs of students who have significant communication and/or sensory needs. The classroom utilizes evidence-based instructional and therapeutic practices to ensure that students make continuous progress as required by their Individual Education Plan (IEP). Student progress is continuously tracked and monitored to ensure interventions are facilitating student growth and skills acquisition.

A Team Approach

The Communication Classroom is richly staffed with a full-time licensed teacher, a program assistant, and a staff to student ratio of 1:1. The students served in this classroom receive the support of an individual Instructional Assistant, as determined by the IEP team. Every student is also assigned a masters-level clinical case manager responsible for conducting mental health assessments, coordinating care and service providers, and responding to crises as needed. Medication is administered by a Certified Medication Assistant. Serendipity’s Special Education Coordinators assist with IEP development and assessment. There is a full-time Speech Language Pathologist who consults with the classroom team on strategies for instruction and communication skills development.

Structure/Curriculum

The physical environment of Serendipity’s Communication Classroom is structured in a student-friendly manner to facilitate focus and attention while also providing space for multiple learning modalities including small groups, imaginative play, and all-important practice of sensory and self-regulatory strategies.

Curriculum in the Communication Classroom is targeted to develop skills in the areas of language and communication, individual academic progress, social skills and self-regulation strategies. The goal is to teach students functional academic skills with an emphasis on real-world and transition skills, and self-advocacy.