Teaching the Possible with
Individualized Educational Planning

The Day School at Giant Steps is licensed by the Illinois State Board of Education and exclusively serves the needs of people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). This focus on autism allows Giant Steps to provide:

• An educational environment specific to the sensory need of those with  ASD
• 100% of program staff specializing in ASD
• One-on-one staff to student ratios to ensure program consistency
• Integrated teaching with all activities supporting the student’s learning goals

A Tailored Academic Approach

Using various methodologies such as ABA, repetition and practice, errorless learning, forward and backward chaining, visual supports, hands-on manipulatives, sensory strategies, etc. students focus on reading and language arts, vocabulary, functional mathematics, vocational life skills and more. Curriculum is built around  each student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) tailored to their specific needs and unique learning style.

Applied Behavior Analysis: The ABA team collaborates with teachers and therapists to shape student behavior through Functional Analysis and the consistent use of Behavior Intervention Plans. In addition, systematic programming is developed and implemented for skill acquisition to help students reach their maximum potential.

Computer-Based Learning: Students are presented with opportunities for academic instruction in the computer lab. Students are assessed and fitted, if needed, with adapted/assisted software(s). Visual supports are provided to help with learning and understanding computer vocabulary and computer functions. The lab offers touch windows, adapted mice, adapted keyboards and much more. Individualized software can be designed specific to each student's academic needs if commercial software programs are not appropriate.

Integrated Program Planning (IPP): IPP is an all encompassing and comprehensive program concerned with the close interrelationships between the sensory, energy, and emotional systems and their association to learning, communication and social development. It is implemented through movement in large open spaces within a background of noise in preparation for learning and functioning in everyday life situations.

Developing Learning, Communications, Social and Motor Skills

Each student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is designed to meet their specific needs and goals within four service domains: cognitive learning and awareness, communication abilities, social/emotional development, and motor skills.

Cognitive
Academic skills are acquired through hours spent in primary, intermediate, junior high, or high school classrooms, led by a teacher certified in special education, and a senior program assistant. Computer-based learning is also included in each student’s program, where they spend time in a state-of-the art computer lab for a portion of their weekly curriculum. Students in high school also focus part of their day on attaining living and pre-vocational skills to prepare them for independence in adulthood.

Uniquely designed by Giant Steps, the Integrated Program Planning(IPP) empowers students through “academics in motion”, a program of physical activity combined with cognitive learning.

Communication
Communication needs vary, depending upon the intellectual and social development of the student. Some students may be unable to speak, whereas others may have rich vocabularies and can talk about topics of interest in great depth. Most students have difficulty using language effectively, and many have problems with word and sentence meaning, intonation, and rhythm. Certified speech and language specialists are on staff to address student communication needs utilizing various methods of intervention, often using assistive technology devices.

Social/Emotional
Social work is a crucial part of the treatment team, as it is the only therapy focused solely on building skills related to social and emotional development. Social skills and play skills are addressed by staff through sensory motor play, individual sessions, and social games. Expanding our students’ ability to engage in leisure and recreational activities is essential, not only to enhance quality of life, but also to provide an avenue for social engagement with family and peers. Groups with the ability to learn more advanced skills participate in activities that incorporate compromising, group decision-making, and conversation skills. As appropriate, individual sessions teach specific social skills through strategies such as social stories, character development activities, role playing, and comic strip conversations.

In planning for social work groups, communication and sensory needs are always considered. Social Work staff also support community integration activities such as Tiger Cubs, Big Buddies, and inclusion facilitation

Motor
Motor skills development is addressed through occupational therapy sessions and our Special Rec program. Fitness and Recreation improves each student’s physical abilities through learning the correct way to use exercise equipment, coupled with the proper implementation of a variety of activities using gross and fine motor skills.

Occupational therapy is skilled treatment that helps students develop the skills they need to fully participate in their roles at home, work, school, and in their community.