On-Campus Specialists

Students diagnosed with dyslexia or other language-based learning disabilities receive instruction from trained reading therapists. Our therapists assess each student for specific literacy skills and the underlying causes that might be contributing to delayed reading. They then devise a reading program and multisensory learning format to best meet the student’s needs.

New Way Reading Programs Include:

Wilson Fundations®

Wilson Fundations® is designed to reduce the number of children that develop reading problems by giving young students a solid foundation. The program is also an effective tool when it is necessary to intervene early due to identified risk factors or emerging reading challenges. New Way classroom teachers implement the engaging yet structured lessons with all primary school students with extra support from our reading specialists when needed.

Wilson Reading System®

The Wilson Reading System® supports New Way students in grades three to twelve with significant reading challenges. The program teaches the structure of the language through a step-by-step lesson plan. Students engage multiple senses by manipulating magnetic letter tiles, working with syllable and word cards, reading passages and spelling. The program progresses through the basics of word analysis to complex passage reading.

Phonics Boost™

This multisensory program is used with New Way high school students who have struggled to acquire key foundational literacy skills. These students often benefit from slower pacing and extra practice. The 80 intervention lessons focus on phonemic awareness, phonics concepts, and essential word attack skills to develop faster and more accurate reading of complex text.

Developing Reading Comprehension

Careful analysis of underlying skills is needed when students have problems understanding what they read. Sometimes, the root of poor reading comprehension lies with inefficient basic reading that leaves few mental reserves for processing meaning. At other times, the primary factors are poor working memory and fluctuating attention that create gaps in recall and understanding. When oral vocabulary, listening comprehension, perspective taking, or grammatical knowledge are not well developed, students usually have accompanying challenges with understanding what they read. New Way specialists analyze the contributing factors when comprehension is weak so that the building blocks for strong reading can be developed.

Language and communication are essential for learning. Gaps in language processing, formulating, word retrieval or communicating often lie at the root of academic challenges. Students who require speech and language therapy receive individualized support from licensed providers as part of their educational program at New Way. We maximize our therapeutic reach by providing services both in and out of the classroom as part of our integrated therapy approach. Our specialists analyze how individual students learn and create a plan to optimize their progress. Our unique speech and language program aims to develop these essential skills across both academic and non-academic areas.

Our Unique Program Design

• Flexible Service Delivery plans are designed based on comprehensive assessments performed by experienced, licensed speech-language pathologists.
• Session frequency is based on need and schedule availability. Frequency is subject to change throughout the year based on student progress.
• Sessions may consist of 1-on-1 services, partner practice, small groups, occurring both in the classroom and in the therapy room.
• Pacing and response to therapy are carefully monitored to optimize learning.
• Student goals and focus areas are carefully tracked to provide the most relevant interventions.
• Licensed therapy providers collaborate regularly with classroom teachers to ensure appropriate generalization is being made in various settings throughout a student's day.

We Help Students Who Have Difficulties With

• Semantic Language
• Morphology and Syntax
• Pragmatic or Social Language
• Articulation
• Fluency or Stuttering
• Phonological Awareness

We make learning comfortable. Occupational therapists and assistants help students develop motor, visual-perceptual, sensory, and self-regulation skills for academics, socializing and engaging in school sports. New Way’s occupational therapy (OT) team evaluates all incoming K-9 students. When indicated, comprehensive evaluations are completed to analyze strengths and challenges in sensory, visual-perceptual, motor, and self-regulation skills. Prescriptive plans for grades K-9 are developed when needed to help students improve these skills.

Occupational therapy sessions happen where it makes sense for each student. Some students thrive with therapy happening in the class and others make improvements with therapy in our OT gym. Occupational therapy consultation is also an option for students who need support throughout the day to adapt their classrooms, academic tasks, or problem solve situations that arise during the school day.

• New Way occupational therapists observe students engaging in activities such as hand-writing, keyboarding, cutting, listening, playing at recess, and socializing in order to offer suggestions or classroom supports for improved participation.
• Our occupational therapists assess individual student needs and help teachers adjust lighting, design quiet spaces to reduce distractions, and use alternate seating such as posture cushions.
• Occupational therapy sessions provide customized intervention for students with diagnosed needs.
• Occupational therapy goals are reinforced by classroom teachers to generalize skills.

Occupational Therapy Interventions

• Visual Perceptual/Motor Skills

-Improving underlying skills for reading, math, sizing letters, spacing words when writing, and copying from a text reference or from the board.

• Materials Management

-Organizing a workspace and materials for completing school tasks.

• Postural Stability

-Developing strength and stability for better posture while working at a desk or engaging in learning activities.

• Engaging with Technology

-Using technology tools to support academic tasks. For example, learning to keyboard to accommodate difficulties with handwriting. Our OT team provides guidance to classroom teachers to maximize success when using computers and other technology tools.

• Regulating Activity Level

-Developing self-monitoring of alertness and applying activating or calming strategies to optimize focus and productivity.

• Sensory Tools

-Utilizing sensory strategies in class to stay calm and focused.

• Negotiating Personal Space

-Increasing body awareness for standing in line without bumping others or moving through congested areas without bumping obstacles.

• Motor Tasks

-Coordinating movements for cutting, writing, and manipulating small items.

• Regulating Responses

-Tolerating environmental noises and activities with various textures.

• Improving Balance

-Increasing ease of mobility for school activities.

New Way Academy’s Support Services is here to help students be as successful as possible in the classroom setting and the community. We provide behavioral and emotional support as well as help provide insight into each child’s academic strengths and weaknesses and how to bridge that into classroom success and set them up to be successful in the community.

Available Support Services

• School wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
• Functioned based thinking to support students and design individual support services as needed
• Behavioral/Emotional Support
• Consult with teachers, families and students
• Counseling services in the classroom, one on one, or small groups as needed
• Help understand student’s academic strengths and weakness to help them be more successful
• Support teams through the IEP process as needed
• Social and Emotional Learning

What is Social Emotional Learning (SEL)?

Social Emotional Learning helps develop the skills needed to understand and manage emotions, develop positive relationships, and gain skills necessary for being successful in the community. With learning skills such as self-advocacy and social skills this not only supports our students but empowers them.

New Way Academy utilizes a schoolwide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) system to promote SEL. Other programs such as Six Seconds, Superflex and Second Step are also incorporated into the curriculum.