New Inclusive School Creates Summer Day Camp For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder & Special Needs

The Willow Tree is an inclusive enrichment program and camp for young children of all abilities in particular those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other special needs who are preparing to move into preschool or kindergarten. The specially designed program offers a daily curriculum that incorporates behavioral, language, sensory and social elements providing essential support for children with ASD and special needs in a small group setting. Its inclusive environment allows children that have additional needs to learn alongside their typical peers.

The Willow Tree is an inclusion program for children ages 2.5 - 5 years old. It prepares children of all abilities including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other special needs to transition into a general education preschool or kindergarten program more easily. While the program provides the behavior and language support most children need, a small number of children with ABA support are accepted into each class.

"The transition to preschool and kindergarten for children with ASD and special needs can be incredibly challenging. Our program gets children ready for the school environment by familiarizing them with the routines and expectations of school while providing the support, love and care that they need," says The Willow Tree director, Christie Savitt.

The program includes typically developing children - the Peer Buddies - who provide essential modeling for the other children and allows children with special needs to learn alongside their typically developing peers. With the focus on self-regulation, social and emotional skills and speech and language development the program is beneficial to all children. And the inclusive environment offers unique opportunities for learning about diversity, tolerance and community.

Led by a team of early childhood and special needs educators, The Willow Tree offers a supportive, nurturing environment for young children to work on essential skills such as sustaining attention, problem solving with peers and materials, speech, language, self regulation, emotional resilience, empathy and social interactions.

The classes follow a regular routine that includes meeting and story times, guided activities, snack, free play, outdoor play, age appropriate academics and other activities that help young children prepare for preschool and kindergarten. The program also incorporates therapeutic activities such as art, yoga, movement, meditation, music and sensory play and has an integrated social skill plan based on individual needs.

The program runs for 8 to 10-week sessions, five mornings or afternoons a week as well as full-time spring and summer camps. Each session begins and ends with a parent conference and includes ongoing evaluations of each child. Children can participate in multiple sessions until determined ready for preschool or eligible for kindergarten. Camp is available for multiple weeks during spring and summer breaks.

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Activities include:
Daily yoga, Daily meditation and mindfulness practice, Outdoor play, Water play, Art and music, Science activities, Cooking, Free play, Gardening at the Emerson Community Garden.
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At Westchester United Methodist Church,
8065 Emerson Ave, Westchester 90045
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More information at http://www.thewillowtreela.org or by contacting thewillowtreela@gmail.com; 310-746-6336.

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