Coral Reef Academy uses a combination of evidence-based methods while following selected academic curricula to teach new academic, social, and functional living skills. The highly structured, and high staff-to-student ratios allow the delivery of individualized programming, in a small group setting for each student.
Coral Reef utilizes both the TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication-handicapped CHildren) method and ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) to teach key areas within the selected curricula.
The academy utilizes the following selected curricula, modifying each lesson to meet the unique skill set of each student:
- Eureka Math
- Touch Math
- A Functional Assessment and Curriculum, (Bender, M., Valletutti, P.J., and Baglin, C.A., 2008).
- Core Knowledge Language Arts
- A-Z Reading
- Barton Reading
TEACCH
TEACCH was founded at the University of North Carolina and was designed to “enhance the quality of life for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.” The TEACCH methodology utilizes structured TEACCHing concepts that focus on the development and implementation of the classroom’s physical structure, scheduling, and teaching methods.
Coral Reef Academy provides a highly structured environment using individual schedules, a routine for predictability, and visuals to indicate the tasks and activities that will occur and in what sequence all while being based on a child’s interests. Each child’s curriculum is individualized using structured teaching methods. Materials and physical space are arranged to segment the environment into meaningful parts to reduce stimulation and minimize distractions.
Applied Behavior Analysis
Coral Reef Academy utilizes the principles and methodology of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). ABA is the process of systematically applying interventions based upon the principles of learning theory to improve socially significant behaviors to a meaningful degree, and to demonstrate that the interventions employed are responsible for the improvement in behavior. Observations, informal interviews with providers and the student’s families, informal assessments, and data are used to inform each team of the areas of skill acquisition and behavioral reduction. Once these target areas are identified, goals and objectives can be created. ABA provides a foundation that informs our team on how to appropriately respond to behaviors that create barriers to learning and to teach new, functional, and pro-social replacement behaviors.
Therapeutic and Related Services
Coral Reef Academy partners with community-based educational and therapeutic providers to deliver therapeutic and related services to our students. These services can be funded through private insurance or the Virgin Islands Department of Education via a student’s IEP. Whether a student receives a therapeutic or related service is determined through an evaluation with the specialty provider. These services can include applied behavior analysis (ABA), speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.
