My son’s self esteem is at an all time high since he started attending kindergarten twice a week. His vocabulary is growing in leaps and bounds and he is no longer wary about asking other children to play. Initially I was worried about the other children’s reaction to him but with the help of his educator they have been very welcoming. What a great journey this is proving to be!

Throughout our years of working with families, we have noticed a recurring theme: inclusion is not just a school issue -- it extends to the communities in which children and their families live and reflects the families’ need for their child’s participation and acceptance in community, religious and family activities.

Yaldei’s School Integration Program serves children so that they can attend daycare or elementary school. The child attends school with an educator, whose role is to facilitate the child’s integration into the school setting of their parent’s choice. The educator works closely with the classroom teachers so that all the appropriate supports and strategies are carried out in order to ensure the development and inclusion of the special child. The goal is not only to promote independence, academic advancement and skill development, but to build friendships as well.

The school inclusion supervisor works closely with all participants to ensure that the child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) and therapeutic regime is implemented in the school environment. The program is carefully planned and reviewed regularly to meet the needs of the child. We pride ourselves on our ability to work flexibly as a team with school teachers and administrators and family.

The program includes the following services:

		IEP & planning meetings developed in conjunction with Yaldei staff,
		therapists and school personnel
		Educator support & training
		Classroom modification and support; teaching strategies that help the
		staff in educating the special learner
		On site visits & follow up to ensure that we are always there to support
		any challenges that might develop
		Research & information; educating school personnel regarding
		conditions or diagnosis
		Classroom sensitization programs including the “One of Us” program
		that encourages peers to look beyond the disability and see the child within

The benefits of our program are numerous. Feedback from our participating schools is very positive and conclusive; it’s definitely a win-win situation. Our children benefit from having typical children as role models from whom they can learn new skills; skills that can help them become successful and independent, and their peers learn an invaluable lesson about respect, patience, inclusion and, most of all, diversity.

Contact (514) 279-3666