VAC: Spotlight on the Virginia Beach City Schools Special Education Annex

• The Special Education Annex provides the following programs /supports;
• Special Education Itinerant services are provided for students with IEPs and 504s within VBCPS and SECEP classrooms across the division
• Developing High Support classrooms within elementary and secondary schools to provide the necessary materials for social, behavioral, sensory, and communication needs
• Behavior Management Rooms at selected elementary and secondary schools designed to deescalate behaviors while introducing alternative ways to articulate emotions/feelings using,
  • Adapted art and music instruction taught in group settings
  • Numerous supportive resources to address dysregulation, social and communication skill development, through the use of technology and curriculum materials
  • Provided physical education equipment such as treadmills, exercise bikes, etc.

• Adapted Physical Education
• Adapted Art and Music
• Assistive Technology
• Audiological Services
• Autism Spectrum Disorders Support
• Early Childhood Special Education
• Hearing Impairment/Deaf
• Interpreter Services
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Preschool Assessment Center
• Speech-Language Impairment
• Visual Impairment/Orientation and Mobility

Special Project(s) currently occurring or planning

• Sixth year of providing Autism Specialists to work with instructional staff at the elementary and secondary schools
• Fourth year of “building” High Support classrooms with specialized lighting, carpets, a variety of chairs (bean bags, child-sized rockers, Compass, etc.), technology (iPads, laptops, etc.), individualized instructional materials, room dividers and organizers, etc.
• Second year of embedding a highly trained paraprofessional (as a follow-up to the state paratrainings) into select classrooms to provide real-time modeling of evidence-based practices for students with ASD, for extended periods of time. This para-coaching model has demonstrated success in both elementary and secondary settings.
• Training Trio Teamsfrom each of the 80+ schools on successful communication/social/behavioral supports:
  • One full day of training and two-2 hour follow-up trainings spread throughout the school year
  • Administrator along with a special education and general education teacher
  • Taught using the Train the Trainer model to take back to their schools
  • Provided each school with:
    • A DVD with over 100 Evidence-based Practices; visual supports, informational sheets, research articles, PowerPoints, videos, etc. to use in their school’s training
    • A bag containing a Time Timer, fidgets (3), counter, laminated visuals on a lanyard ring, etc.