As one of the most innovative K-6 charter schools in the nation, Spero Academy was founded on the tenet that every child deserves the right to flourish within the level of his or her capabilities. Instead of focusing on the inadequate concept of “No child left behind,” Spero opts to work under the premise that every child can shine! However, what does this mean regarding setting goals in education?
How can a school setting foster the growth of a wide range of special needs children? Part of the solution, a big part, in fact, lies in helping students through sensory experiences – and this is where innovative architectural design leads to learning through visualization on their level.
An Amazing New Building Designed to Bridge Communication Challenges
With special needs students, a building’s architecture and its visible characteristics, are of utmost importance. The new building was designed to be just stimulating enough to encourage engagement but not overly stimulating which would detract from an educational environment.
Technology Adds Layers to Visual Engagement
When working with autistic children who learn to engage through the proper use of sensory stimuli, technology is also vitally important. With the dawning of the digital age, ASD children can now learn at an accelerated pace because teachers can use multimedia within the learning environment. Each child can be assigned a Chromebook or iPad to work with at an individual pace which is right for that particular student’s needs.
Teachers can use visually stimulating images to communicate in ways words never could. This is perhaps creative visualization at its very best. Images are used to transport an autistic student into the experience he or she is studying. It’s a fantastic concept and one which is currently being explored for a wider range of educational resources.
A Pioneer in Sensory Experience for Special Needs Students
With the innovative design of their new building, Spero Academy has become a pioneer in a new level of teaching through sensory experiences.
In conjunction with digital visual technology in the classroom to further explore sensory communication, special needs students are learning to better function in a world largely composed of neuro-typical functioning (empathetic) adults. Perhaps this is the remaining gap to be bridged in helping autistic children find a level of comfort and safety in a world which would otherwise be challenging.
It is here at this juncture that educators are helping their autistic students learn to move beyond coping. It is here where every child is given the freedom to excel.
