EARLY CHILDHOOD
The preschool program serves children between the ages of 3 and 5. It focuses on developing a child's speech, language, social, motor and school readiness skills. A certified special education teacher instructs the class. Students may also receive services from other certified or licensed staff, such as occupational, physical, speech and language therapists, or vision and hearing professionals.

ELEMENTARY - RESOURCE AND INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS

RESOURCE PROGRAM
This program provides special education services to students less than 60% of the school day. A special education teacher may push-in to the general education classroom to work with the student and teacher within the general education classroom. The special education teacher may also pull students out of the classroom to work on individual or small group instruction. They may also provide consultation to the general education teacher.

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS PROGRAM
This program provides special education services to a student 80% or more of the school day who have been entitled for services due to an autism spectrum disorder. Students in these classes benefit from instruction from the certified special education teacher in a small group setting. A classroom aide is also available to assist the teacher with implementing academic accommodations, modifications and implementation of individual behavior plans. The classroom setting is unique in that an abundance of visual and sensory stimulation are used throughout the classroom including picture schedules, picture labels, visual timers, and a variety of sensory equipment. Alternative academic curriculum is utilized to instruct students in the core academic subjects of reading, writing and math. A classroom management plan is also implemented to encourage and reward positive behavior within the school environment.

EMOTIONAL DISABILITIES PROGRAM
This program provides special education services to a student 80% or more of the school day who have been entitled for services due to an emotional disability. Students in these classes benefit from instruction from the certified special education teacher in a small group setting. A classroom aide is also available to assist the teacher with implementing academic accommodations, modifications and implementation of individual behavior plans. This classroom setting is unique in that it is a highly structured environment with clear behavioral rules and expectations. Students are able to access quiet time and individual emotional support on an as needed basis. A token economy system is used to manage student's behavior. Students earn points throughout the day when positive behavior and academic expectations are met. Students earn individual rewards on a daily basis and are rewarded a group on a monthly basis.

CROSS-CATEGORICAL PROGRAM
This program provides special education services to a student 80% or more of the school day who have been entitled for services due to a variety of disabilities. Students in these classes benefit from instruction from the certified special education teacher in a small group setting. A classroom aide is also available to assist the teacher with implementing academic accommodations, modifications and implementation of individual behavior plans. Alternative academic curriculum is utilized to instruct students in the core academic subjects of reading, writing and math. The main focus of the classroom teacher is to teach students functional academic, social and language skills. Social skills, pragmatics, and language skills are taught on a weekly basis to the class as a whole by the social worker and speech and language therapist.

JUNIOR HIGH - RESOURCE AND INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS

RESOURCE PROGRAM

INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS
Programs include the emotional disabilities program, the multi-needs program, and the cross-categorical program. Students in these classes benefit from instruction from the certified special education teacher in a small group setting. Depending on the needs of the student, the programs focus on academics, behavioral functioning, and life skills.

OUT-OF-DISTRICT PLACEMENTS
These programs are for students with a variety of significant disabilities who require a highly specialized approach to instruction.

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As part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Child Find Mandate, Addison School District 4 (ASD4) is responsible for identifying and evaluating all students, between birth and age 21, with suspected disabilities, within the school district. If the evaluation results determine a child has a disability under the IDEA, the school team and parents will work collaboratively to create an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) as appropriate. 

There are a variety of ways Addison District 4 actively engages in Child Find. Addison District 4 holds preschool screenings on a regular basis at the Addison Early Learning Center. These screenings assess children in the areas of fine and gross motor, speech and language, cognitive functioning, social-emotional functioning and vision and hearing. To receive an information packet/survey and make an appointment to have your 3-5-year-old child screened, please call 630-458-3051.

The Addison Early Learning Center also works with area early intervention providers to make a smooth transition from early intervention to preschool. Students already receiving early intervention services from birth through two years old should be notified by your provider of meeting dates and times in order to have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) developed before the child’s 3rd birthday.  

Additionally, Addison District 4 utilizes the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) process to identify students' academic and social-emotional needs. Through this process of providing intervention to and monitoring at-risk students, children with suspected disabilities are identified through each school’s Individual Problem-Solving Teams (IPST). Addison District 4 staff and administrators also continually engage in home-school collaboration through which children with suspected disabilities may be identified by their parents, doctors/pediatricians, mental health care providers, or other specialists. 

It is the goal of Addison District 4 to ensure that all children with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education which provides them with proper academic, social-emotional, and behavioral supports. Additionally, through the Child Find process, Addison District 4 aims to ensure that children are identified in a proactive manner to receive appropriate early intervention services.

For more information about the Child Find process or if you suspect your child may have a disability, please contact the building principal or Director of Student Services, Ms. Janet Diaz at 630-458-2462.

Resources

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Section 226.100 Child Find Responsibility