• Fry 1000 Sight Word List

    The Fry sight word list was derived from a computer generated program that pulled the most frequently occurring words across a variety of written materials;  newspapers, magazines, books, forms etc. The word list is useful in that mastery of the entire list indicates that under average circumstances a reader will be able to access most written material. Generally speaking, most written materials in the adult world is leveled at approximately the 6th grade reading level. Obviously, this is not an exhaustive list and with increasing technology, this list may lack more recently occurring words. However, it is an excellent place to start for the student with reading delays. If you have to prioritize the words that need to be learn, this is a great list to work with.
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  • Wilkes Special Education Parent Handbook

    Navigating the special education, referral, assessment and IEP process can at times be complicated and confusing. This handbook was developed for parents,  to answer questions pertaining to the process and procedures of special education from the time your child is referred to the Student Study Team (SST)  through  the initial IEP and report card.
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  • Organizational Skills and Students with ADHD

    On October 4, 2010, Dr. Richard Gallagher gave the first in a series of parenting talks, at the Dalton School on Manhattan's Upper East Side. His presentation was based on groundbreaking research undertaken over the past 10 years by the NYU Child Study Center (CSC) under the direction of lead investigator Dr. Howard Abikoff. One aspect of the talk focused on recently analyzed results from a study conducted in conjunction with Duke University.

    This study has shown conclusively that children with ADHD and organizational skills deficits can learn to overcome those deficits to a significant degree; they can be systematically taught organizational, time management, and planning, or OTMP skills, through techniques developed over the course of the study.

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  • The Incredible 5 Point Scale

    The 5 point scale was developed by special educator, Kari Dunn Buron, during her years of working with students with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the public schools. We use the 5 point scale in our social skills groups as well as with individual students in classrooms across our school. The 5 point scale helps students and teachers to understand and rate any behavior, attitude, feeling or experience as having  a quantifiable range that provides for understanding the acceleration or deceleration of said circumstances, that can be modified, addressed or arrested before a critical moment occurs. In our small group will also pair this with relaxation techniques, coping strategies and help students identify personal triggers that can cause upset and disruption in their day.  Although originally developed for students with ASD, we have found great applicability and success using it with all students.  This link will connect you to The 5 point scale site, where information and materials can be accessed.
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  • Superflex and Social Thinking

    Michelle Garcia Winner developed the concept of  "social thinking" as a construct to understand the difficulty children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders manifest when navigating the social world. One of her strategies that we use in our social skills group is the Superflex Curriculum. Superflex, the hero of flexible thinking defeats a variety of "unthinkables" or  challenges faced by children with ASD, by implementing a variety of strategies. This link will connect to the Michelle Garcia Winner and social thinking website.

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