NAME:
Mrs. Acosta
SCHOOL:
Union Vale Middle School
Assignment:
The Impact Program for Students with Asperger Syndrome or High-Functioning Autism
SCHOOL PHONE:
(845) 223-8600
So, I'm an E.B. White fan, or a Charlotte's Web fan, as the case may be. For
those of my students who don't know what I am talking about, read the
beginning of that book and you will understand.
Welcome! My name, as you know, is Mrs. Acosta, and this year, I will be
returning to run the Impact Program at Union Vale Middle School.
What do you need to know about me? Well, first of all, I am very direct. I
will tell you exactly what I need you to know, so don't be surprised. I try
to do it nicely. Most of the time, I think I am successful.
I created Impact six years ago, along with Mrs. Heather Dennis and Mr. Chris
Bayer. Three years ago, I took a little break to do something new, and I
taught in the inclusion setting in Union Vale. Wow! What a great experience.
My thanks and appreciation to everyone I got the opportunity to work with,
and especially to the wonderful Team 6 teachers, whose influence will forever
be present in the work I do, going forward.
I am extremely excited to be able to return to the Impact program, bringing
my experiences from the past, as well as new ideas I carry over from the
mainstream environment.
Have questions? Don't hesitate to email me. I look forward to hearing from
you!
Impact is a special education program designed to support the needs of
students with Asperger Syndrome or High-Functioning Autism, who are attending
middle school in the Arlington Central School System.
The Impact program addresses the sensory, social and organizational needs of
the students in the program.
Impact is a "porous" program. By this, I mean that it is not really a
self-contained or an integrated program, but a blend of the two. The Impact
classroom functions as a "home-base" throughout the day, as well as a place
for primary instuction. In this way, students can meet their needs, reduce
their anxiety, and return to the academic environment ready to learn. The
Impact teacher and staff work with general education teachers to support
student needs.
Students in Impact all receive sensory diets through occupational therapy.
They attend study skills classes to support their organizational needs, and
social skills classes co-taught by the teacher and the speech pathologist
that address pragmatic language . A specialized gym class addresses issues as
varied as dealing with competition, learning to address one's own sensory
integration needs, and cooperative group behavior. Student skills are
evaluated and behavior is monitored in order to best understand the progress
they make, and what new goals can be formed in order to create an environment
that is appropriately challenging, yet not intimidating.
Enrollment to the Impact program is provided by decision of a Committee on
Special Education (CSE) during individual meetings on a student's behalf.
Questions about program access must be directed to the Special Education
Department.
All other inquiries can be emailed to my attention at tacosta@acsdny.org, or
I can be called at the school at 845-223-8600.