NAME:
MS. HARRIS
SCHOOL:
TRAVER ROAD PRIMARY SCHOOL Room 12
CLASS:
SPECIAL CLASS FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM/ASPERGERS
SCHOOL PHONE:
845 635 4300
Ms. Harris has been working in the field of Autism since 1982. She has
worked with children from age 2 to 22. She loves working with young children
and their families to help encourage social growth and cognitive progress.
She utilizes a variety of strategies to help her students understand and
interact in their environment. She uses Mayer Johnson Icons, Carol Gray
Social Stories, and many other tried and true methods for working with
children with special needs. She implements many strategies from "Responsive
Classroom" into her everyday teaching- building a sense of community and a
safe, trusting environment. The Responsive Classroom® is an approach to
teaching and learning that fosters safe, challenging, and joyful classrooms
and schools, kindergarten through eighth grade. Developed by classroom
teachers, it consists of practical strategies for bringing together social
and academic learning throughout the school day. To learn more about this
approach, go to www.reponsiveclassroom.org.
She has an exhaustive library of resource materials
and is willing to share her knowledge and expertise with all who are
interested.
Come and visit room 12 to see us learn!
For our children, learning to play is work. Many of the social skills
needed for successful peer interaction are developed prior to entering
school. Those skills are essential for a positive school experience.
Children with Autism typically DO NOT develop these skills independently.
They need specific instruction to make eye contact, maintain appropriate
personal space, and have a conversation. The focus of my program, in
addition to exploring the academic curriculum of kindergarten, first and
second grade, is to help students develop the people skills that will help
them through the many challenges we face in life. We will learn to look, and
listen, share, and take turns. We will also learn to wait, make good
choices, and say nice things. We will learn to give and receive hugs, and
mind our personal space. We will learn to be good friends.
We encourage parent visits, observations, and participation. Let us know
what YOUR goals are for your child so we can be sure to incorporate them.
Together, we can make a difference!