A Descriptive Analysis of a School for Children on the Autism Spectrum

Rebecca School, located in the heart of New York City, is the largest educational institution fully based on the Developmental Individual Difference Relationship-based (DIR) model of supporting children and youth with autism spectrum disorders. Growing and developing with each school day, Rebecca School shapes itself around the individual needs and personalities of its students. Through direct professional experience and interview, this independent study will present, describe and analyze the various aspects of this institution, including background research of DIR, context within autism education field, the continuing development of this school environment, values and vision of the educational setting, physical environment, design and curricular strategies, staff professional development, school community: families and children, and theory and practice of the curriculum. Through this process, a comprehensive image of Rebecca School, both its theory and practice, are fully developed and thoroughly explored.

Autorentext

Mark Mihopulos has been supporting children on the autism spectrum in a variety of classroom environments for the past six years. Currently, he leads a classroom and special education team at Rebecca School in Manhattan.