The Fort
FASD Pilot Classroom
www.kidsLINKcares.com
Head office: 400 Queen St. S., Kitchener 519-743-6333
www.carizon.ca
The Program Design
• Operated jointly by Carizon and the Waterloo
Region District School Board
• Housed within the Encompass Learning
Section 23 School
• Pilot Project in it’s second year
• Based on models from Alberta and British
Columbia
• Designed to meet the needs of children living
with FASD
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Head office: 400 Queen St. S., Kitchener 519-743-6333
www.carizon.ca
The Program Purpose
• The goal of The Fort is to provide a:
▫ safe and supportive environment
▫ for children who are living with FASD and
struggling to be successful in a community school
▫ and require, or would benefit from, a specialized
therapeutic and learning environment
▫ where their unique strengths and needs are
understood, and they can receive appropriate
supports
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Head office: 400 Queen St. S., Kitchener 519-743-6333
www.carizon.ca
The Team
• Multi-disciplinary approach
• Our Team:
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1 WRDSB Teacher
2 WRDSB Child and Youth Workers
1 Carizon Children’s Mental Health Worker
1 Carizon Child and Family Therapist
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Head office: 400 Queen St. S., Kitchener 519-743-6333
www.carizon.ca
The Students
Admission Criteria:
•8-12 years of age
•Residing in Waterloo Region
•Has an FASD Diagnosis
•Struggling to be successful in a community school and
requires OR would benefit from a specialized therapeutic
and learning environment
2013-2014 year
2014-2015 year
Number of students
4
6
Ages of students
9-12
8-12
Gender of students
4 male; 0 female
6 male; 0 female
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Classroom Strategies and Design
www.kidsLINKcares.com
Head office: 400 Queen St. S., Kitchener 519-743-6333
www.carizon.ca
Classroom Design
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Simplistic and Calming
Clearly defined and “concrete” work areas
Colour coding
Independent calming area
Visual labels
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Head office: 400 Queen St. S., Kitchener 519-743-6333
www.carizon.ca
Behaviour Strategies
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Relationship development
Individualized strategy wall for students
Positive Reinforcement-“Classroom Bucks”
Consistency
Concrete labeling of expectations- “Black and White”
Enabled
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Head office: 400 Queen St. S., Kitchener 519-743-6333
www.carizon.ca
Learning Strategies
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Repetition
Visuals
Chunking and focusing on only one task at a time
No formal assessments
Immediate and constant feedback
Cueing and consistent language
Clear expectations and directions
Differentiated instruction
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Head office: 400 Queen St. S., Kitchener 519-743-6333
www.carizon.ca
Therapeutic Strategies
• Individual Therapy
▫ Child
▫ Parent/Guardian
• Family Therapy
• Music Therapy
• Animal Assisted Therapy
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Evaluation
www.kidsLINKcares.com
Head office: 400 Queen St. S., Kitchener 519-743-6333
www.carizon.ca
Phase I: Parent Self-Report
• Parents tell us they like:
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Experiencing less stress
The small class size and curriculum modifications
The staff’s understanding of their child
The focus on positive interactions
Their kids are attending school every day
Their kids are happier; less anxious
Their kids are enjoying positive peer relationships
Their kids are experiencing greater academic
success
▫ They feel respected
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Head office: 400 Queen St. S., Kitchener 519-743-6333
www.carizon.ca
Phase I: Student Interviews
• Kids tell us they like:
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Their friendly and understanding teacher
The routines
The physical environment
The class size
The shortened day
Follow-through on commitments
Not as “strict”
That they don’t get kicked out of class
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Head office: 400 Queen St. S., Kitchener 519-743-6333
www.carizon.ca
Evaluation Next Steps
• Phase I: Parent Self Report & Student Interviews
▫ Results and recommendations have been reviewed
and are being implemented
• Phase II: Staff Surveys & Parent Focus Group
▫ Data to be reviewed in fall 2014
• Phase III
▫ To be implemented fall 2014- spring 2015
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2nd year of Pilot Program
Changes and Development
www.kidsLINKcares.com
Head office: 400 Queen St. S., Kitchener 519-743-6333
www.carizon.ca
What’s new:
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6 students
More individualized programing
More immediate and concrete
Social Skills development
Whole school activities
Consistent staff
Transition planning
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Any questions?
www.kidsLINKcares.com