Curriculum | Scottsdale | The United School for Autism

CURRICULUM

The United School embodies a balance between academic, artistic, community and social skills development in an environment where nature is an integral part of student life.

Our optimal learning environment is built on evidence-based programs and therapies for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, utilizing applied behavior analysis (ABA) methodologies, and providing individualized academic, elective and enrichment opportunities. Our Director of Behavior Analytic Services, Elaine Helton, oversees this essential component of our programming while supervising our staff of BCBAs.

“There needs to be a lot more emphasis on what a child can do instead of what they cannot do.” - Dr. Temple Grandin

STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. We believe every child should have the opportunity to be inspired by STEAM learning. This popular interdisciplinary learning approach is not just about teaching individual core subjects, but rather integrating them and showing students how they work together as a whole, in a way that resembles real life.

Direct Instruction (DI): an active, reflective approach to instruction that breaks learning into smaller steps with scaffolding, leading towards students’ independence and mastery. The program is organized so that skills are introduced gradually, giving children a chance to learn those skills and apply them before being required to learn another new set of skills. USfA utilizes DI curriculum from McGraw Hill for all our core academic groups in our main track.

In addition, we place strong focus on relationships between our students and the community, opening opportunities to improve autism awareness, develop and grow a mutually rewarding and meaningful community mentor program, and to explore and enrich student interests and abilities that can align with community businesses for future employment opportunities.

Program Features

Individualized academic curriculum based on Arizona State Academic Standards utilizing evidence-based Direct Instruction (DI), Project-based Learning Methods and Learning in the Natural Environment (LNE)

Multisensory lessons are applied across all subjects. This technique helps meet the varying learning styles of all kids, and by providing multiple ways to learn, it gives every student a chance to succeed.

Additional classes in art, music, social skills and daily living activities

Elective classes each quarter, such as computer coding, performing arts, home economics, photography and second languages

After school Special Interest Clubs such as Gardening Club, Spartan Fitness Challenge, Baking Club, Minecraft Creative Club and E-Sports
ABA based instruction plus individual behavioral support with our Fulltime BCBA !