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The Special Needs Program offers an ungraded classroom environment for multiple handicapped students who are deaf from elementary through high school ages. Most students attend classes to age twenty-one and receive a Diploma upon graduation. Pre-school multiply handicapped students with hearing loss are serviced by SSSD's regular and support personnel.
Students are selected on the basis of hearing loss in conjunction with another handicapping condition. Other handicapping conditions include, but are not restricted to, mental retardation, orthopedic handicaps, cerebral palsy, autism and psychological difficulties. The degree of the other handicapping conditions of Special School students must be severe enough to preclude a regular educational program offered in one of SSSD's other departments.
The Special Needs Program curriculum allows for individualized planning and individualized instruction. Total communication is used in all classrooms. Because of its location, mainstreaming within SSSD's regular classes for students with capabilities in a particular area is readily available. The Special needs Program is also used as a transitional placement for student not yet ready to handle regular classroom placement.
Classroom instruction emphasizes Daily Living Skills as listed in the Special Needs Program course. Emphasis is placed on hygiene, language, money, time, math and fine and gross motor skills. Support services available to the Special needs Program students include speech, physical therapy, audiology, physical education, adaptive physical education, counseling, home arts, shop, art and drama.
The Special Needs Program is dedicated to making each of its students as independently functioning as possible. Toward this end five levels of vocational training exist.
On the first vocational level, students are introduced to various jobs available in the community through numerous field trips and class-related activities.
The second vocational level consists of Pre-Vocational training. This includes horticulture, ceramics and crafts. Students grow houseplants and make projects to sell in the Special Needs Program Store at the end of the school year.
The third vocational level is Work/Study within the school setting. Students are trained for various jobs in SSSD's cafeteria. Students are reimbursed with "Special Needs Program Dollars" for correct work behaviors. These dollars are redeemed at the Special School Token Store.
The fourth vocational level consists of Sheltered Workshop placement. Students are trained for jobs at a sheltered workshop for part of the school day. They are reimbursed by check at a piece rate.
The final stage of vocational training involves training in Gainful Employment. Past experiences at this level for Special School students include restaurant food services, institutional maintenance and factory work in the garment industry.
Student placement and assessment for each level is followed closely by a team including a Vocational Evaluator, Work Study Coordinator, Classroom Teacher and other personnel as needed.
The entire Special Needs Program is a viable, flexible program
working with parents, the community and the resources offered
at SSSD.
From the U.S. Interstate 81, Exit 55: follow directional signs at the end of the exit ramp toward Dunmore following Blakely Street to traffic light at Drinker Street. Turn right onto Drinker Street which merges with Electric Street. Proceed to second traffic light. At this intersecion, turn right onto North Washington Avenue, enter the main driveway on your right. Visitor parking is on your right.
Further information regarding enrollment or services offered by SSSD can be obtained by contacting: