Our Program

The McCarton School provides a comprehensive, rigorous schedule that combines educational and therapeutic programs with structured peer interaction focusing on play and social skills. The school day begins at 8:45 am and ends at 4:45 pm.  This is in line with several longitudinal studies that suggest that 35 to 40 hours per week of intensive Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy results in the most progress for children with autism. Classroom exercises and social programs are interspersed throughout the day, and each child’s schedule is customized based on age and skill level.

Student schedules are evaluated and altered as needed on a weekly basis by McCarton School staff.  Group skills are worked on from the beginning of a child’s education.  Younger students typically engage in a scheduled activity for 15-20 minutes to start, while other students who have learned to attend in a group can work for a greater length of time. These daily assignments cover academic work, social and play skills, and fine motor training. One hour of speech and language and 45 minutes of occupational therapy are provided daily for each child, and students have frequent periods throughout the day for individual activities and play.

The McCarton School encourages building new interests that its students are able to enjoy outside the classroom, including board games, art, and athletics. These groups, which take place primarily in the afternoon, also provide a setting in which students can develop appropriate interaction with their peers. During all snack and lunch breaks, students learn social skills like responding to questions, making eye contact, and engaging in basic conversation with their classmates.

Please note that we do not operate from a waiting list. We have a referral file to which we turn when we have a vacancy. That means children are not enrolled on a first come, first served basis. When we have a vacancy, we consider the needs of the students we currently have and the needs of the referred children. As such, you are welcome to make a referral at any time.

Below is a sample schedule:

8:45	-	9:00 am	Arrival and ADL
9:00	-	9:15 am	Manding/play/exercise/sports
9:15	-	9:30 am	Circle/morning meeting/journals
9:30	-	10:15 am	1:1 Work, academics (reading/math)
10:15	-	10:45 am	Community outing/snack/small group
10:45	-	11:45 am	Manding/1:1 work/academics (reading/math)
11:45	-	12:15 pm	Play progams/activity schedule/group play
12:15	-	12:45 pm	Instructional lunch
12:45	-	1:00 pm	ADL/fine motor skills
1:00	-	1:30 pm	1:1 Work/activity centers/small group (social skills)
1:30	-	2:00 pm	1:1 Work/academic small group (social studies/science)
2:00	-	2:20 pm	Art/handwriting/OT group
2:20	-	3:00 pm	1:1 Work
3:00	-	3:15 pm	Snack/socialization
3:15	-	3:30 pm	Leisure skills group
3:30	-	3:45 pm	Community practice
3:45	-	4:00 pm	Leisure skills group
4:00	-	4:30 pm	1:1 Work