Resources
- Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Taunton/ Attleboro Area - https://www.mass.gov/locations/dds-tauntonattleboro-area-office
- The ARC of Bristol County - https://www.arcnbc.org/
- Special Education Resources and Links for Parents--www.specialeducationguide.org
- Autism Society--www.autism-society.org
- Council for Exceptional Children--www.cec.sped.org
- Federation for Children with Special Needs--fcsn.org
- National Association of Parents with Children in Special Education--www.napcse.org
- http://Understood.org Excellent resource for parents with daily emails on new topics and articles
Speech and Language
The speech and language department services children from preschool through high school. We work with articulation, word retrieval, and receptive and expressive language disorders, as well as children with social and pragmatic difficulties. Links to information and resources are below.
Occupational Therapy
The Taunton Public Schools provides occupational therapy services from the preschool to high school level. Links to information and resources are below.
RISE Program
Reaching Independence through Structured Education Program (RISE)
This program is designed for students who have been determined by the Team as meeting the eligibility criteria of Autism, Developmental Disability and/or Intellectual Impairment. In addition students exhibit significant impairment in the following areas:
- -verbal communication
- -social interaction and pragmatic skills
- -comprehension
- -behavioral and emotional regulation
- -adaptive daily living skills
- -ability to acquire new skills
The program utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach to enhance communication, socialization and sensory integration. Visual symbols and augmentative communication are used throughout the classroom to assist students understanding of classroom activities, schedules and rules. Emphasis on behavioral based methodologies (i.e. discrete trial, behavioral analysis, etc…) and functional skills are integral components of the program. Low student to teacher ratio maximizes the learning of new skills and reinforces appropriate behaviors. Students are integrated into the general education setting on an individual basis as determined by the Team. A district behavioral specialist (BCBA) and Speech and Language Pathologist consults to the program regularly.
Please note: The placement of students into the program noted above is determined by the Special Education TEAM.
ELC
This program is designed for students who have been determined by the Team as meeting the eligibility criteria for a Specific Learning Disability (SLD), Developmentally Delay and/or Communication Disability. Identified students have a cognitive profile in which scores on the Verbal subtests of cognitive measures are significantly lower (+15 point split) than scores on non-verbal/performance subtests or significant split between academic and cognitive abilities (+20 point split). In addition, these students demonstrate a history of significant language and/or reading disorders despite having received intensive special education services. Due to the significant impairments displayed in acquisition of language and reading skills, these students require systematic instruction in an alternate method of reading or other multi-sensory based approach. In addition, as a direct result of the disability, students must require extensive modifications in the other content areas. A speech and language pathologist may consult to the program. The classroom is not appropriate for global lower cognitive abilities.
Please note: The placement of students into the program noted above is determined by the Special Education TEAM.
TLC
Please note: The placement of students into the program noted above is determined by the Special Education TEAM.
ALERT
Taunton High School Grades 8-12
The ALERT program serves students whose needs are more functional than academic. The program emphasizes functional academic, self-help, social and community living skills. The secondary level emphasizes training that prepares the student for transition to employment and adult community living. Instruction increasingly progresses from classroom to community based as the student approaches graduation in order to facilitate a transfer of skills from theory to practice. The primary population served by the program is students with intellectual disability, but others are included if the program can be modified to serve their needs. All of our students achieve a Certificate of Attendance upon exiting high school.
Please note: The placement of students into the program noted above is determined by the Special Education TEAM.
Alternative Learning Center
TOPS
Taunton High School 18yrs – 22yrs
TOPS program an educational program specially designed to meet the needs of adult students with moderate to significant disabilities ages 18-22. This largely community-based program aims to prepare students with moderate to severe disabilities to be fulfilled, happy and productive citizens in their local communities. Students attending this program have satisfied their high school requirements and met state testing requirements.
The majority of students participating in TOPS will age out of special education with a Certificate of Achievement having participated in the MCAS-Alternate portfolio assessment process. The programming of TOPS is focused on Self-Determination, Self-Regulation and Transition related skills. Students participate in choice making as they learn to identify their needs, interests and skills in the arenas of Independent Living, Health and Wellness, Recreation and Leisure, and Vocational skills.
In addition, students spend time in community based settings where they practice life skills and explore a wide variety of adult experiences. Families are an integral part of the learning team and we work with them to help them navigate the world of adult services; preparing them and their children to transition to adult agencies and programs.
Please note: The placement of students into the program noted above is determined by the Special Education TEAM.