PACE School Overview
John has Autism which makes learning new things very hard. PACE provided the environment where he could learn. He is self-sufficient, helpful, and interactive – he soon was even helping other students answer questions in class! --John, PACE School Parent
PACE School is a non-profit, non-public school, certified by the California Department of Education and accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. PACE School serves students ages 6-22 who live with moderate to severe Autism, with a specific emphasis on non-verbal students and those with especially challenging behaviors and communication disorders.
The PACE Approach
At the heart of the PACE model is our vision for every student to develop the ability to self-regulate, to relate, and to communicate. As a result, the PACE teaching philosophy is based on student-centered, social-emotional learning. This affect-based philosophy distinguishes the PACE program from many others that serve the Autism population.
PACE implements a multidisciplinary team approach to learning. This team includes:
the parents- the student
- an instructional aide
- a special education teacher
- behavior support personnel
- an occupational therapist
- a speech and language pathologist
The team assesses the child’s individual needs and creates a program combining therapeutic and educational strategies to optimize the child’s progress. This encompasses a unique commitment to providing a 1:1 aide who travels with a particular student throughout each day. A dedicated 1:1 aide is also unique to our program, since many others switch aides throughout the day. The aide can be a stabilizing element for the student who coaches him and joins him in his efforts to negotiate the world.
Typical Schedule
9:15: Arrival- 9:30: Walk/P.E.
- 9:45: Morning meeting
- 10:00: Goal work
- 10:30: Recess / Snack / Sensory
- 11:00: Therapy
- 11:30: Math Class/Language Arts
- 12:00: Lunch / Recess / Sensory
- 1:00: History/Science/Art
- 1:30: Therapy
- 2:15: Dismissal
School Curriculum
PACE employs an interdisciplinary approach that respects each individual’s motivation and desire to learn. The curriculum is taught in large groups, in small groups, and one-on-one and allows us to focus on each child’s needs as determined through the Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals and objectives.
Our program educates the whole person both in and beyond the classroom:
- Sensory strategies help each student make her way through the world
- Functional academics include math, science, history, and language arts
- Employable and vocational skills are also emphasized
- Music, art, and fitness round out the curriculum
- Community skills, or how a student interacts and understand the wider community, are developed with regular trips into the community in PACE-owned vans
PACE is also an innovative leader in the use of technology and video to supplement a student’s program.
Measurable Assessments
The PACE treatment methodology is reinforced by unique measurable, replicable assessments that focus on the functional development of an individual through all stages of life.
- Our behavioral interventions are data-driven and are updated regularly to reflect current data
- Functional analysis of behavior allow us to tailor each student’s behavioral program to meet the student’s specific behavioral needs.
- We use video tracking to follow each student’s progress and illustrate the met goals of a student’s IEP
PACE School Therapy Department
PACE School Building
In January 2008, PACE relocated to its own privately owned facility designed around the special needs of the Autism population. Creating the building from the ground up allowed special design elements such as natural lighting, precision climate control, hypoallergenic materials and flexible therapy spaces—an energy efficient and natural environment that is consistent with green initiatives and supports the sensory needs of PACE students.
Support PACE
PACE depends on the generosity of caring contributors in the community in order to provide the highest quality of care for individuals with Autism.
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