INTEGRATION/EXPANDING HORIZONS PRESCHOOL

Integration is the process of grouping children with and without disabilities together in a planned, involved, and interactive activity and setting. Public Law 101-476, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), has stated the importance of children with disabilities having access to their non-disabled peers to the greatest extent possible. Expanding Horizons Preschool (EHP) is for non-disabled children, and is housed in the same building as the Pingree Center. The preschool was developed to provide an on site integration program to best fit the needs of our students. The time each child participates in integration will depend on his/her treatment plan and his/her behaviors. Integration into EHP gives the child exposure to peers without disabilities and gives them appropriate peer models. Additionally, time spent with their non-disabled peers gives them the opportunity to learn age appropriate ways to interact, and provides them with excellent models for language skills. Integration to EHP facilitates social, cognitive, and language skills and aptitudes in your child. Occasionally, we transport our children to integration sites outside of EHP, as deemed needed, and conditional upon your approval.

Integration within the school district sites of the Pingree Center's autism program is accomplished within the parameters of district policies and opportunities. During the treatment plan process, possible strategies for incorporating integration practices are discussed, developed, and agreed upon. Utilizing other classroom teachers within the center for integration is a collaborative process, and each district site has unique opportunities for facilitating integration.

Integration opportunities for the elementary/secondary aged children with autism continue to evolve. We will use a combination of sites including the Pre - K class of Expanding Horizons as well as local public and private elementary/secondary schools who are willing to work with our program.

For more information on Expanding Horizons Child Development Center, please CLICK HERE.

Michele Orphanakis, B.S., Assistant Program Manager