Benhaven's Learning Network

Description of Services

Many school systems are attempting to educate students with pervasive developmental disabilities in their own schools. Often, lack of experience or expertise, or other barriers, force school districts to seek support. Benhaven offers the services and supports necessary for many students with disabilities to be successful. Benhaven can provide consultation and training to staff throughout Southern New England.

Assessment and Planning

We offer a variety of assessment services:

• Educational
• Behavioral
• Communication
• Vocational
• Environmental (School, Community, and Home)

We also offer Person-Centered Futures Planning, which combines comprehensive assessment with long and short-term planning. Teams, which may include school staff, family members, and the student, are brought together in order to establish a cohesive network of support for the student.

The use of a person-centered approach, where the team develops a shared vision for the student, can be a useful method to facilitate an effective educational plan.

Consultation and Support

Training and support are available for teaching and administrative staff who are willing to undertake the exciting challenge of providing educational services to students with pervasive developmental disabilities in integrated, community-based settings. The training and support can be conducted using a “train-the-trainer” approach to enable the school system to develop its own internal resources.

Important areas include:

• Assisting in the design of positive behavioral support and management plans
• Structuring the learning environment with the teacher to promote effective instruction
• Training paraprofessionals on disability sensitivity, teaching techniques, and behavioral strategies
• Team building and interpersonal communication
• Educating families, fellow students, teachers, school administrators, general public, etc.
• The role of leadership in inclusive education and fostering inclusive communities

• Alternative approaches for service delivery
• Identifying and managing needed support services
• Curriculum design and modification
• Developing "Circles of Friends" for individuals
• Roles and competencies for the regular education teacher
• Transitioning planning

Workshop and Group Instruction

School districts may have staff learning needs that can only be met through workshops and group instruction. Our consultants offer training specifically designed to meet individual circumstances.
Some workshop topics include:

• Overview of Autism
• Development of Effective Behavioral Support Plans
• Putting Vision into Practice
• Teaching Approaches
• Discrete Trial Format
• Prompt/Prompt Fading
• Shaping
• Chaining
• Incidental Learning
• Developing Effective Learning Environments
• Augmentative Communication Systems
• Group Facilitation
• Supervising Paraprofessional Staff
• Collaborative Environments (Communication Skills within Teams)

Contracted Direct Support

Benhaven can also provide, on a contracted basis, people who will fulfill various direct service roles. Benhaven staff can also carry out such functions as team leadership or case management. We have access to people with a wide variety of backgrounds and skills. All contracted personnel are well trained and closely supervised.
Examples of available direct services:

• Classroom teachers
• Intervention and support personnel
• Classroom aides
• Recreation specialists
• Community education specialists
• Employment specialists and job coaches
• Staff for extended day, week, and year