--- ## title: VISTA Autism Center Presentation .pptx --- ## VISTA Autism Program ## Valuing Individual Student Talents and Abilities ## FRIDLEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ## Agenda ## ●VISTA Framework: Setting IV Autism Program ## ●Student Population: Who We Serve ●Specialized Supports and Services ## ●Family, School, and Community Partnerships ●Referral and Enrollment Process ●Questions and Discussion ## THE VISTA FRAMEWORK ## V ## Valuing (The Core Foundation) ## I ## Individual (Personalized Excellence) ## S ## Students (Our Purpose) ## T ## Talents (Strength-Based Growth) ## A ## Ability (The Outcome of Care) ## THE VISTA FRAMEWORK ●VISTA Autism Program will be co-located at ## the Fridley Community Center ●Has its own entrance and serves as its own individual school learning environment. ●Learning space is for students, staff and families only. ●Opening Fall of 2026 ## Federal Setting IV Autism Programming ## Federal Setting IV Definition ## Specialized Care and ## Educational Supports 50%+ of the school day spent in a separate program Students receive comprehensive special education and therapeutic services outside the general education environment to best support their unique behavioral and sensory needs. ## Honored to Serve Students with Autism ## What Makes Autism Unique Rather than a linear scale of "mild to severe," autism presents as a dynamic Spectrum Wheel of overlapping traits and dimensions. ## Sensory Processing Unique ways of experiencing and responding to environmental stimuli, requiring tailored, highly supportive learning spaces. ## Communication & Social Diverse verbal and nonverbal interactive styles that foster deep, highly authentic social connections. ## Cognitive Style Exceptional natural capacities for detail-oriented task execution, profound hyper-focus, and systematic analytical thinking. ## Honored to Serve Students with Autism ## Sensory Processing Creating environments where students can regulate, engage, and learn. ●Predictable routines and visual supports ●Sensory-responsive learning environments ●Individualized regulation strategies ●Pyramid Model strategies to support social-emotional development ## Honored to Serve Students with Autism ## Communication & Social Expanding meaningful communication and authentic connections. ●Multiple modes of communication, including AAC and visual supports ●Explicit instruction in social communication ●Relationship-centered practices ●Teach to Heal strategies that build connection, safety, and belonging ## Honored to Serve Students with Autism ## Cognitive Style Building on strengths, interests, and individual ways of learning. ●IB inquiry-based and student-centered learning ●Strength-based instructional practices ●Opportunities to explore interests and develop areas of expertise ●Explicit, structured instruction with opportunities for deeper thinking and problem-solving Each classroom: 6 Students 1 Teacher 2 Paraeducators ## Therapeutic Environment ## Classroom Design Struct…