Population Description

The CASE Program at the Hanscom Middle School serves children from 10 to 15 years of age who exhibit significant delays in cognitive, social, language, and self-help skills.  Behavioral difficulties associated with these delays are also addressed by the program. The program is non-categorical and typically serves children with a variety of learning profiles, including but not limited to Pervasive Developmental Disorder.  Academic skills generally range from pre-academic to grade one.

Program Description

Located in a grade 4 through 8 middle school, the CASE Program at Hanscom Middle School is based upon a substantially separate classroom model with an opportunity for daily integration with age appropriate peers. Students are generally integrated into regular classes for 10% to 15% of their school week, and are accompanied by a CASE staff member at all times.  Integration is most often arranged in the enrichment areas of the curriculum (music, art, library, physical education) because it is easier for the students to participate in classes that are less “academic.”  Reverse mainstreaming is also available, including opportunities for some of the older students at Hanscom to assist in the CASE classroom. The classroom is involved in the community using the post office, bank, library, grocery store and the like to allow hands-on application of skills taught in the classroom. An introduction to work skills (in the school setting) is also part of the program.

To accommodate the range of needs in the class, a student-to-staff ratio between 2:1 and 1:1 is maintained.  Instruction is language-based, and oral language, sign language, and augmentative systems are modeled and encouraged.  A monthly theme-based curriculum is used across classroom activities. Students learn a functional academic curriculum, focusing on life skills applications (e.g. functional sight words, time, and money), as well as activities of daily living and pro-social language and behavior.

The CASE class at Hanscom Middle School places a high emphasis on social skills, self-help and daily living skills. In addition, functional fine motor, gross motor, and sensory motor skill development are addressed throughout the day. Primary support services for the class include speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, and, when needed, physical therapy.

Psychological consultative services comprise a regular component of the staff support program to provide assistance with behavior problems as needed. Other back-up services (e.g., sign language in-service or computer technology consultation) are also available to program staff when needed. Occasionally, a behavioral specialist is added to the program to assist staff in meeting the needs of students with behavioral difficulties.  This class maintains a significant affiliation with the CASE Behavior Training Program, whose staff assist in the instruction and behavioral management of the students.

Program Objectives

The primary objectives of the CASE Program at Hanscom are:

• Improve communication skills
• Improve social skills
• Improve recreational and leisure skills
• Improve daily living/self-help skills
• Improve fine motor skills
• Improve gross motor skills
• Increase functional academic skills
• Increase independence
• Increase community skills
• Increase ability to work in a group
• Increase and maintain appropriate behavior across settings
• Lay a foundation for vocational training

CASE Network of Classes

The CASE Collaborative Class at the Hanscom Middle School is part of a continuum of programs administered by CASE for children with developmental delays. A five-week extension of the Hanscom CASE class is available in the summer for children who would substantially regress during a 10-week break if they were without special education services.

Please direct inquiries and referrals to:

Rory Liebmann, Assistant Director
978-318-1535
rliebmann@colonial.net