Related Links
» Instructional Methods
He is a completely different child. He has come so far just this year while attending Haugland. His social interaction and
carrying on a conversation is remarkable. He is learning so much academically and I couldn’t be more proud of him. His out bursts and
frustration levels have improved so much over the school year. He is just an unbelievable little boy and it is all due to the work of
everyone at Haugland. Thanks so much for everything you do!!!
-- Mary Jones
Our Programs
Early Transitions :: Ages 3 - 9
This program is appropriate for those students between the ages of three and nine and is designed to prepare them to enter either our Middle PLAN program or our K-8 ASPIRE program.
Middle PLAN Track: Students ages 3-9 who do not benefit from group instruction with a focus only on core academic skills receive individualized services. Students are taught using DTT/NET with a teacher-student ratio of approximately 1:3, with some pullout for one-on-one instruction throughout the day. Focus remains on teaching functional communication skills while also targeting each student’s deficit areas. The staff follows each child’s IEP and collect data daily on all targeted skills and behaviors.
K-8 ASPIRE Track: This program is appropriate for those students between the ages of four and six who have acquired the skills necessary for group instruction. Students can start in this class if they turn four before September 1st and can stay through the year they turn six years of age if they continue to need more practice with pre-academic skills. The purpose of this class is to prepare students for the intensive academic programs offered in ASPIRE. The students need to have sufficient verbal communication skills in order to respond to teacher questions and also be able to work in a group of 3-5 students. While academics are the main focus of this class, students also continue to learn social skills and self-help skills necessary for academic success. Academic programs include Headsprout Reading, Direct Instruction/Distar Math, Language for Learning, and Language for Thinking. Students practice those skills where they have deficiencies until they are fluent using precision teaching methods. These teaching methods are explained more closely in the "Teaching Methods" section.
ASPIRE grades K-8 :: Ages 5 - 16
For students who are at least five and who have not turned 16 by September 1st, this academic program consists of 11 classes, each with 6-7 students. Students are grouped by age (within three years of IEP-identified grade level) and by their placement tests in each core area (reading, writing and math). This program does not focus on grade levels, but works with each student to make sure they learn all skills needed to be successful in high school. Students receive intensive intervention in the core academic areas of reading, writing, and math to be sure these skills are up to grade level. The content material for social studies and science are used in the context of language arts to promote higher-order thinking skills and logical reasoning using grade level material and are therefore not offered as separate classes. The teacher guides students through the material, teaching them to pick out salient information, draw conclusions, and make connections necessary to process the information. Students will also learn to study more efficiently, break assignments into smaller parts and organize their time effectively. By acquiring all of these skills, students are more likely to be successful in high school and college.
In addition to intensive instruction in these core academic areas, students also have art, music, physical education, and social skills instruction weekly. Most of the students with ASD have significant difficulties understanding social situations, reading non-verbal cues and engaging appropriately in various academic and non-academic settings. By spending part of their time learning and practicing these skills, students are more likely to be successful at the next level, whether that is academic or vocational.
Middle School PLAN :: Ages 10 - 14
A continuation of the Early Transitions program and serves students with cognitive delays. Students are placed in classrooms with low ratios and receive individualized services based on their IEP. If a child’s behavior or medical needs prevent them from being successful with this staff-student ratio, an individual aide may be required (at additional cost, to be covered under school district contract). The focus of this program is to continue to promote independent skills acquisition through teaching functional academic skills, daily living and self help skills. The academic curriculum focuses on the core areas of reading, writing, and math, with the purpose of connecting these academic skills to everyday life. Students learn to work cooperatively with others and depend less on adult support. They engage in some community-based activities in order to generalize skills learned in the classroom. Parental involvement is crucial as this program leads into a transition to the PLAN High School program.
ASPIRE High School :: Ages 15 - 22
In order to start in the ASPIRE high school program, students must turn 15 by September 1st, demonstrate grade level performance in reading, writing, and math, and be able to function independently and in a small group setting. This is a fully-accredited program in which students can complete all graduation requirements for the State of Ohio including the Ohio Graduation Test (OGT). Students choose from almost 100 courses and may also be allowed to take college-level courses for dual credit. The teacher engages in lectures, models appropriate responses, and provides individual attention and assistance as needed. In addition to focusing on learning academic subject areas needed for graduation, students are taught social skills and daily life skills needed to succeed in college. Most students with ASD have social skills deficits that can be targeted with parental input and cooperation. Students can choose courses that will teach organizational skills, budgeting, cooking, prepare them to take the SAT/ACT, and help them communicate more effectively. Some of these courses are used to complete graduation requirements.
Additionally, ASPIRE High School students have the opportunity to attend Columbus State Community College (CSCC) through the Dual and Underage Student Enrollment program. They can attend the Dublin CSCC campus in a regular college class with all neuro-typical students, gaining both high school and college credit for courses in some cases. In order to enroll in this program, each student must complete the COMPASS Test, which gauges the student's skills in Mathematics, Reading and Writing and recommends appropriate courses to take.
PLAN High School :: Ages 15 - 22
The High School PLAN program is for students with cognitive delays who turn 15 by September 1. The program builds on academic skills taught in the middle school and continues to focus on core areas of "functional" reading, writing, and math. These academic skills are taught with the purpose of maximizing the student’s level of independence. The "functional" part might be that students are able to read a recipe for preparing a meal, fill out a job application, read a book for enjoyment or follow a budget. PLPs are developed with the input from each student (where possible), his/her parents, caregivers, and teachers. It is important to include students in the planning of their goals regardless of their verbal limitations. Students are encouraged to make choices and decisions about their own future.
The program has three main focus areas; daily living skills, recreation and leisure, and vocational skills/Community Based Instruction (CBI). CBI is achieved through regular trips out in the community to provide real-world skills practice. The functional academic and social skills are incorporated into each of these three areas. Lunch and recess are included in the instructional blocks to maximize instructional time.
Transition Services :: Ages 16 - 22
HLC has partnered with Columbus State Community College (CSCC) and the Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation to provide transition services through CSCC's Orientation to Trade and Apprenticeship Program (OTAP) These services are available to PLAN and ASPIRE students at our Columbus and Dublin locations.
The OTAP program runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays on the main campus of CSCC. Transportation is provided by HLC. Students receive instruction in all the skilled trades and learn many basic vocational skills that could allow them to work in the building industry. The program is financially sponsored by the Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation. They have generously committed to provide funding so parents would not have to pay the extra CSCC tuition for their student to participate.
Therapy Services
HLC's Columbus and Dublin locations offers office space to therapists who are qualified to provide services to our students. Speech, Occupational, and Physical therapies are accessible to students during the school day or before/after school, if desired. Arrangements for therapy times are made between the parent and the therapists. Therapists bill the local County Board of Developmental Disabilities or the student's District of Residence if possible. Some County Boards of Developmental Disabilities do not pay for therapy services. In these cases, parents may pay privately.