On-Campus Specialists
Yes, We Said "On Campus"
At New Way, our students can conveniently receive reading, writing, speech-language, and occupational therapies during school hours. This arrangement not only enhances their learning experience but also allows families to enjoy more quality time together, reducing the need for after-school commitments and travel.
Speech and Language Specialists
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.
- Flexible Service Delivery plans are designed based on comprehensive assessments performed by experienced, licensed speech-language pathologists.
- Session frequency is determined by individual needs and schedule availability. Frequency is subject to change throughout the year based on student progress.
- Sessions may consist of one-on-one services, partner practice, and/or small group activities, occurring both in the classroom and the therapy room.
- Pacing and response to therapy are carefully monitored to optimize learning.
- Student goals and focus areas are carefully tracked to ensure the most relevant interventions are provided.
- Licensed therapy providers collaborate regularly with classroom teachers to ensure appropriate generalization is being made in various settings throughout a student’s day.
- Semantic language
- Morphology and syntax
- Pragmatic or social language
- Articulation
- Fluency or stuttering
- Phonological awareness
Reading Specialists
Students diagnosed with a language-based learning difference, such as dyslexia, receive personalized instruction from our trained reading therapists. These specialists conduct thorough assessments of each student’s literacy skills and identify any underlying factors that may be contributing to reading difficulties. Based on their findings, they develop individualized reading programs and utilize multisensory learning techniques designed to effectively address the unique needs of every student.
New Way Reading Programs Include:
Wilson Fundations® is designed to reduce the number of children that develop reading difficulties by giving young students a solid foundation. The program is also an effective tool when early intervention is necessary due to identified risk factors or emerging challenges. New Way classroom teachers implement the initial lessons with all primary school students, and extra support from our reading specialists is provided when necessary.
New Way supports students in grades three through 12 with significant reading challenges using the Wilson Reading System. The program teaches language structure with 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.
This multisensory program is used with 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.
Careful analysis of underlying skills is necessary when students struggle to understand what they read. Sometimes, the root of poor reading comprehension lies in inefficient basic reading, which leaves few mental reserves for processing the text’s 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 face accompanying challenges in 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.
Occupational Therapy
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 Kindergarten through grade nine students. When indicated, comprehensive evaluations are completed to analyze strengths and challenges in sensory, visual-perceptual, motor, and self-regulation skills. Prescriptive plans are developed to help students improve these skills.
OT sessions happen where it makes sense for each student. Some students thrive with therapy happening in the class, and others make improvements in our OT gym. OT consultation is also an option for students who require support throughout the day to adapt to their classrooms, complete academic tasks, or problem-solve situations.
- New Way occupational therapists observe students engaging in activities such as writing, typing, cutting, listening, playing, and socializing, to offer suggestions or classroom support for improved participation.
- Our occupational therapists assess individual student needs and help teachers adjust lighting, design quiet spaces to reduce distractions, and utilize alternative seating options such as posture cushions.
- OT sessions provide customized intervention for students with diagnosed needs.
- OT goals are reinforced by classroom teachers to generalize skills.
Occupational Therapy Interventions
Support Services
New Way Academy’s Support Services help students achieve their maximum potential in the classroom and the community. We provide behavioral and emotional support, as well as help to gain insight into each child’s academic strengths and weaknesses.
- School-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) System
- Function-based thinking to support students and design individual support services as needed
- Behavioral/emotional support
- Consultations with teachers, families, and students
- Counseling services in the classroom, one-on-one, or in small groups as needed
- Help understand students’ academic strengths and weaknesses to help them be more successful
- Support teams through the individualized education program (IEP) process as needed
- Social emotional learning (SEL)
SEL helps students understand and manage their emotions, develop positive relationships, and acquire the skills necessary for success in the community. Learning self-advocacy and social skills not only supports our students but also empowers them to take control of their own lives.
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.
- New Way Parent