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  Mental Health and Mental Retardation SPIRIT

W ordsworth's SPIRIT ( S pecial P eople I ntegrating R eal-life with I nstruction & T raining) is a specialized program in our Private Academic School for students who have severe cognitive difficulties or fall into the autistic spectrum disorder and who have behavioral difficulties. The program is structured to build self-esteem and to help each student find an area of success as a starting point to setting productive goals in our therapeutic environment. The goal is to help students experience school success through a team approach, including the family and the student. Family involvement and support are crucial to reach a successful outcome and is considered an important part of the program.

 

Wordsworth's SPIRIT Program provides a well organized and consistent structure in which all faculty and staff show a positive regard for the students, creating a social climate of mutual respect, which clearly and firmly establishes their role as helping authority figures. Close supervision and a consistent behavioral management system extend to all parts of the school day, including lunch, recess and transition times such as arrival and dismissal, which are most often problematic in traditional schools. Activities and tasks are geared to the varying developmental levels of each child with a keen awareness and acceptance of the intellectual, social, emotional and academic "readiness" of the student. There is on-going assessment and planning related to the readiness factors of the individual. Specific and obtainable academic, social and vocational goals are set for the student in order to structure short-term success and, therefore, develop positive feelings of self-worth, competence and control. An emphasis is placed on interpersonal communication and mutual respect, recognizing that the student's success in the school, their family, and in the community is based as much on the student's ability to form appropriate working relationships with people, as it is based on the development of academic and marketable skills.
Hands-on, project oriented activities are utilized to motivate students to remain actively involved in the learning process.

 

 

"The educational staff includes special education teachers, teacher's assistants and therapeutic staff support persons who work individually with one student."

Client Focus

A typical schedule would include developmental reading, language arts, mathematics and age appropriate life skills. Emphasis is placed on practical application of skills to daily living situations. Diagnostic and prescriptive teaching ensures that each student is instructed at his/her appropriate level. Academic instruction may vary from a completely individualized learning packet approach to a small group instruction with a greater emphasis on independent work. Hands-on, project oriented activities are utilized to motivate students to remain actively involved in the learning process. Teacher s work with the staff, parents and the student in evaluating student performance. Students also receive physical education, art, computers, music and life skills classes.

Educational services are offered to children and adolescents, ages 7 through 21 with up to twelve students per class. The classrooms are separated by age and ability.

Clinical & Educational Professionals

Wordsworth's team of professionals include Master's level special education teachers, behavior managers, certified school psychologists, school counselors, speech and language therapists and an occupational therapist. The educational staff includes special education teachers, teacher's assistants and therapeutic staff support persons who work individually with one student.

Wordsworth Commitment

The SPIRIT Program consistently continues to enhance the continuum of care offered to its children and families. Wordsworth is confident that it can exceed the expectations of families and providers. Wordsworth continuously seeks ways of improving its programs, therefore, comments are welcome.

Wordsworth
Private Academic School
SPIRIT Program
Pennsylvania Avenue & Camp Hill Road
Fort Washington , PA 19034
 

Wordsworth is a not-for-profit
501(c)(3) Organization

Licensing, Approvals & Accreditations
• Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Licensure for Mental Health and Children,
Youth and Family Programs
• Pennsylvania Department of Education Licensure for School Programs
• Medicaid Approved
• Type 50 Mental Health Services Provider
• Joint Commission on the Accreditation of
Healthcare Organizations

 

Inquires should be made to:

Private Academic School
SPIRIT Program
215.643.5400 x3500

Kerry Costello-Null, Program Director
215.643.5400 x3501

 

 
 

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