Classrooms for Students with Autism

Hawkswood School offers an innovative learning environment for students with an autism spectrum disorder, ages 3 through 21 years.

Our sensory-friendly building is architecturally engineered specifically to support the unique instructional and environmental needs of students on the autism spectrum. Physical characteristics of lighting, acoustics, cooling and heating, and overall design were built to our specifications in order to foster learning and minimize sensory distractions.

At Hawkswood School, we use a naturalistic teaching model, allowing us to customize instruction to fit each student’s unique learning style. Each student’s progress is monitored using the data collected from teaching programs to assess daily and weekly growth. Students participate in language- based activities in the naturalistic setting to assist their transition to a less restrictive teaching environment.

We use a collaborative teaching model that incorporates therapists into the classroom setting, allowing for both acquisition and generalization of all skills learned.

We provide a 2:1 student teacher ratio. All of our students participate in adaptive physical education, art, and music.

We also offer classrooms for preschoolers on the autism spectrum.

Our beliefs about student behavior focus on a child’s strengths and natural desire for social connection.