Sprayberry Programming

Sprayberry currently employs three (3) multiple needs teachers. Children with multiple needs will have a combination of various needs that may include: speech, physical mobility, learning, developmental delay, visual, hearing, brain injury and possibly other issues.. Along with multiple needs, they can also exhibit sensory losses and behavior and/or social problems. Children with multiple needs - also referred to as multiple exceptionalities will vary in severity and characteristics. These students may exhibit weakness in auditory processing and have speech limitations. Physical mobility will often be an area of need. These students may have difficulty attaining and remembering skills and/or transferring these skills from one situation to another. Support is usually needed beyond the confines of the classroom. There are often medical implications with some of the more severe multiple needs which could include students with cerebral palsy and severe autism and brain injuries. There are many educational implications for these students.

What is special about special education?

Special education is governed by federal law in most educational jurisdictions. Under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Special Education is defined as:

"Specially designed instruction, at no cost to parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability."

Special education is in place to provide additional services, support, programs, specialized placements or environments to ensure that all students' educational needs are provided for. Special education is provided to qualifying students at no cost to the parents. There are many students who have special learning needs and these needs are addressed through special education. The range of special education support will vary based on need and educational jurisdictions. Each country, state or educational jurisdiction will have different policies, rules, regulations and legislation that governs what special education is. In the US, the governing law is Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Typically, the types of exceptionalities/disabilities will be clearly identified in the jurisdiction's law surrounding special education. Students qualifying for special education support have needs that will often require support that goes beyond what is normally offered or received in the regular school/classroom setting.

Sprayberry's Multiple Needs Classrooms offer the following for your child:

• Music Time

• Music Therapy (UA Student Visits Once a Week)

• Academics

• Travel to the Motor Room for PT/OT

• Gym

The children participate in all of our events including: Fall Festival, Valentines Day, Tailgating with the Stars, Art Show and many more. Each child has a PT/OT goal that each teacher follows. Each class also has two (2) para educators.

What is autism?

Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders known as Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). The other pervasive developmental disorders are PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not  Otherwise Specified), Asperger's Syndrome, Rett Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. Many parents and professionals refer to this group as Autism Spectrum Disorders.

If you would like additional information on Autism please visit the link Autism Speaks.

Sprayberry employs three (4) Autism teachers. Each teacher has two (2) para educators who assist in daily activities. All students participate in various events including: Fall Festival, Valentine's Dance, Art Show and many more.