Thankfully, autism and other learning differences are becoming better understood in society — but that doesn’t automatically mean students are getting the support they need in schools.
They do at Atlantis Academy, though.
In fact, the majority of our students have autism, and we tailor our curriculum to their individualized needs so that they can thrive academically and socially.
We’ll happily do that for your child, too.
Ready to learn more?
A Quick Primer for Understanding Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder is defined to be a range of pervasive developmental disorders that adversely affects a student’s functioning and results in the need for specially designed instruction and related services.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder is characterized by an uneven developmental profile and a pattern of qualitative impairments in social interaction, communication, and the presence of restricted repetitive, and/or stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.
- These characteristics may manifest in a variety of combinations and range from mild to severe.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder may include Autistic Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, Asperger’s Disorder, or other related pervasive developmental disorders.
Our Personalized Approach for Students with Autism and other Learning Differences
Because the strengths and deficits associated with autism fall along a spectrum, we conduct various assessments to gather information to personalize our curriculum. So, before a student enrolls at Atlantis Academy, we conduct academic assessments. We use that information to personalize our curriculum and instructional practices for your child.
First, we determine which program is best:
- The Traditional Program mirrors the ages and grade levels found in public school. High school students, for example, change classes throughout the day. Our model, however, includes a low student-to-teacher ratio and personalized instruction.
- The Foundations Program is suited for students who thrive with more academic, social, and behavioral support.
- The Living Independently with Fundamental Experiences Program teaches young adults ages 18 and older the skills they need to live a more independent life in the home and in the workplace.
Then, we use evidence-based instruction, which means we use instructional methods that are backed by research, and continue to assess your child to monitor improvement. This helps us see — daily — what is working well and what needs adjusting.
A Place Where Your Child is Known and Seen
One of the things that parents appreciate the most about Atlantis Academy is that the principals know every student and parents don’t have to wait days or weeks to schedule a conference with teachers.
We take pride in frequent communication with our families – both formal and informal. Whether it’s a parent-teacher conference, an update while in the carline, or when you come to have lunch with your child, close collaboration between teachers and parents is critical to our students’ success.
Your child is your priority — and ours.
About Our Faculty
All of our teachers have at least a bachelor’s degree — and just as important — a passion for working with students who have learning differences..
Many have education-related degrees, while others have degrees in the subjects they teach. All work diligently to teach our curriculum, which is aligned with state standards.
The Benefits of Our Nurturing Environment
At Atlantis Academy, your child is among peers, faculty, and families who understand learning differences. They won’t feel like an outsider because they aren’t.
With our small class sizes and involved parents, everyone looks out for each other — and everyone works together. We frequently invite parents to campus to volunteer and collaborate with our teachers, and we host social events and workshops for families.
For students who need behavioral support, we use the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports framework.
The primary components of PBIS at Atlantis Academy include:
- Establishing a clear set of positive behavior expectations
- Teaching expected, alternative, and replacement behaviors
- Analyzing student behavior
- Providing positive reinforcement
- Promoting student engagement
Social skills instruction is incorporated throughout the school day, including small group discussion, role-playing activities, and social skills training that is built into academic instruction. We place additional focus on teaching students problem-solving skills and strategies to prevent and respond to bullying.
“What I like most is that Atlantis staff and teachers feel like an extended part of our family. I am grateful that the teachers answer my numerous emails and questions.”
– Anonymous Parent
Think Atlantis is a good fit for your family?
We would love to get to know you better and help you through the steps of our admissions process!
Frequently Asked Questions
You are welcome to enroll at any time throughout the year, but we do sometimes have waiting lists.
We have behavioral therapists available, and we work with each student as necessary to reduce behaviors that interfere with learning. If your child has aggressive or self-injurious behavior, let’s talk about that and assess their support needs.
You never have to worry about bringing in your child’s therapist or aide.
Your child will find that everything — from our entryways to our restrooms — is structured to be accessible and welcoming for people of all abilities. Our goal is to provide as much independence and dignity as possible, so we invest in our buildings and in technology that improves learning and promotes relationships.
Your student will have safe access to SMART boards, laptops, and iPads in the classroom. Plus, our teachers and staff are familiar with using assistive devices for communicating and will work with you on training.
Our tuition is as personalized as our education because it’s based on your campus location, program enrollment, and financial assistance. You’ll find all the details on our Tuition and Scholarship page.
