As the global pandemic COVID-19 is changing our world and disrupting our lives daily, it is important to stay informed on the latest news. Trusted news sources can help you make informed decisions to protect your health. But could the news be hurting you at the same time? Being glued to 24-hour news networks, social […]
Continue readingThis is Mr John with an important update regarding our school operationsAs of this moment Alpha School will be open to all students on Monday, March 16thWe recognize that some of your home districts have already closed and this will have an effect on transportation especially districts using their own vehicles. Should your district be […]
Continue readingYour child is legally an adult, but if you have legal guardianship, you will continue to make decisions for their care and education going forward. Your child may remain in school through the ages of 21/22. As a member of the school community, your family enjoys a wealth of expertise and resources, as well as a […]
Continue readingOn November 5, 2019, the Alpha School provided a Lunch and Learn seminar with Stephanie Shreter from the Guardianship Assistance Program of NJ (GAP). Under New Jersey law, all children are vested with certain constitutional rights once they attain age 18 regardless of the disability. A legal guardianship is required in order to allow the parents […]
Continue readingAccording to the U.S. Fire Administration, there are approximately 1,700 home fires involving people with mental disabilities. Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and Thanksgiving is the leading day for fires involving cooking equipment. Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you are simmering, baking, or […]
Continue readingSoft skills are the everyday interpersonal skills that employees need to succeed on the job. Soft skills such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, and adaptability enable one to express ideas, plan, organize, understand directions, and get along with others. Soft skills are far more important than pure academic and technical skills training for […]
Continue readingCBT is considered one of the most effective treatments to help anyone better manage common stressful situations, depression, anxiety, or mental health disorders by teaching them healthy coping mechanisms. In CBT, the child works with a counselor, licensed social worker, or therapist in one-on-one sessions or in groups with family members or people with similar issues. […]
Continue readingWhile ABA is recognized as one of the best therapies to help children with autism or severe challenging behaviors, good ABA programs are not “one size fits all.” Rather, each program is written to help each child work on specific skills that will help them become more independent and successful. Positive reinforcement is one of […]
Continue readingTwo commonly used treatment models for children with special needs are Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). You may have heard of these and wondered what is the difference, and which is best for your child? What is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)? Applied Behavior Analysis focuses on improving specific behaviors, such as social […]
Continue readingGovernor Murphy’s Fiscal Year 2020 Budget proposal allocates $9.5 million in state and federal dollars toward addressing the needs of individuals with severe challenging behavior. Many children and adults with autism frequently engage in severe challenging behaviors, such as aggression, self-injurious behavior (SIB), and property destruction. These behaviors can range from skin-picking and slapping to […]
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