Educational Services

The mission of Aspire’s Educational Services is to enhance the lives of our students by providing the highest quality education and services for developmental disabilities, using state of the art technology, equipment, instructional strategies and therapeutic interventions.

In September of 2014 Aspire proudly opened its fully renovated and expanded Center for Learning campus on Union Rd. Our developmental disabilities school now features state of the art technology, 100% accessibility, 21st century environmental controls and new specialty spaces including a Cafetorium, Life Skills classroom and walking track.

Programs Offering Individualized Services:

Early Intervention: Provided in home or community based settings for children birth to 3 years of age.
Preschool: Provided in comprehensive integrated classrooms or in home and/or community based settings for students, ages 3 to 5 years.
School age: Provided in comprehensive classroom settings for students, ages 5 to 21 years.
Summer Work Skills: Provided in comprehensive classroom settings with supported internships at local businesses throughout the community.

Evaluations

Evaluations, to determine each child’s eligibility into the early intervention or preschool programs, are conducted by a fully licensed and certified team of professionals. Evaluations are available in the following areas based on your child’s needs:

Education
Psychological
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
Speech-Language Therapy
Vision

Evaluations must be requested through the County you reside in for Early Intervention or the county you reside in for preschool.

Specialized Services

Technology: State of the art technology is offered to every student as a means of facilitating learning. Examples of technology used at the Center for Learning:
- Interactive Smart Boards
- Computers
- Touch Screen Monitors
- iPads
- Augmentative Communication Devices for assessment and training
- Switches for environmental access
- Power wheelchairs for mobility assessment and training
Sensory: State of the art sensory program for students with sensory deficits and needs.
Adaptive Equipment: A department of trained staff that can create alternative seating and positioning options for students. Also includes adapted equipment to access communication devices, therapy and educational materials.

Program services as mandated on Individual Family Service Plans (IFSP) for Early Intervention and Individualized Education Programs (IEP) for Preschool and School age are:

Education
Vision
Behavior Intervention
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
Speech-Language Therapy
Nursing

Professionals that make up each student’s team are licensed and certified by New York State. Parents are an important member of the team and are invited to attend regular team meetings to discuss their children’s progress and areas of need.

Specials provided by certified staff

Adapted Physical Education
Art
Music

Specialized Clinics offered at the Center for Learning in partnerships with WNY area vendors

Orthotic Clinic
Wheelchair/Mobility Clinic
Adaptive Equipment Clinic

To get started, call 716.505.5700

Educational Programs

Early Intervention is a family centered program. Children from birth to 3 years of age and their parents or caregivers participate in a home and/or community based program. Support is given throughout the evaluation and intake process and continues throughout each child’s enrollment. Services for developmental disabilities are provided by a multi-disciplinary team of special education teachers, vision teachers and clinicians including physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists.

Program for Newborns to 18 Months:

Learning
Communication
Feeding
Positioning
Handling
Gross and Fine Motor Development

Program for 18 Months to 3 Years:

Developmental Play Activities
Self-Help Skills
Language Development
Gross and Fine Motor Development

TO GET STARTED, call: 716.505.5700

Services must be requested through the county you reside in.

The primary focus of Aspire Center for Learning is to provide preschool students with skills that prepare them for current and future experiences such as kindergarten. Our goal is to provide the necessary supports so that every student has the opportunity to learn, and access technology for mobility, communication and optimal functioning in academics and life skills.

Available in a full array of least restricted opportunities for students 3 to 5 years of age

SEIT (Special Education Itinerant Teacher): Education services provided by a certified special education teacher in home or community based settings.
RSO (Related Services Only): Vision, by Certified Teachers of the Visionally Impaired, and therapy services by licensed physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists are provided in a home and community based setting.
Integrated Classroom settings: Aspire has partnered with 7 child care centers located throughout WNY to provide integration to students with disabilities with their typical peers.

Current Partnerships

Aspire’s Children’s Discovery Corner, Cheektowaga
East Aurora Community Nursery, East Aurora
EduKids at Como, Lancaster
EduKids at Kelly Drive, Cheektowaga
Jewish Community Center at Buffalo, Buffalo
Jewish Community Center at Getzville, Getzville
Lakeview Children’s World, Lakeview

All services for developmental disabilities are provided at each site location. These services are based on the individual needs of each student as mandated on his or her IEP (Individualized Education Program). Services may include:

Education
Vision
Behavior Intervention
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Speech-Language Therapy

TO GET STARTED, call: 716.505.5700

Services must be requested through the school district you reside in.

The Children’s Discovery Corner provides integrated childcare to children 18 months to 12 years of age. Children are offered an enriching opportunity to develop lasting friendships with children that have developmental disabilities. Children are placed in integrated classrooms according to the following age groups:

Toddlers ages 18 months to 3 years, offered daily
Preschool ages 3 to 5 years, offered daily, and before and after school
School age from 5 to 12 years of age, usually offered before and after school and on holidays and recess.

Summer camp is also available.
Our childcare center combines a developmentally appropriate classroom curriculum that incorporates the New York Early Childhood Common Core Standards with an environment that encourages exploration, discovery and independence.

An early childhood specialist who provide developmentally appropriate activities and opportunities that enhance learning supervise each toddler classroom.

Preschool classrooms are staffed with a certified special education teacher and early childhood specialist collaborate team. Doing so results in a program that emphasizes the individual strengths and needs of all children, as well as cooperative learning.

School age classrooms are lead by a team leader who provides age appropriate activities that encourage learning and are also fun.

For the above school-time program services, a full time certified nurse is on staff to oversee you child’s health needs.

A sample of activities includes:

Literacy centered around storytelling and reading
Creative play
Indoor and outdoor gross motor activities including structured game playing and free play on playground equipment
Social Studies that help children explore their own community and those of other cultures.
Science activities
Math activities
Socialization through play and daily living

At Children’s Discovery Corner, the emphasis for all children is always on learning and caring for others.

Days:
Monday through Friday. Open most holidays

Hours:
6:30 AM to 6:00 PM

Full and half day rates are available as well as rates for before and after school.

CALL: 505-5700 for more information on our reasonable rates and subsidized child-care through Buffalo NY, WNY, and Erie County.

Set up a tour today!

The primary focus for the School Age Program at Aspire Center for Learning is to provide school age students with the needed skills that will prepare them for current and future experiences, whether it is moving from one classroom to another or to transitioning into adult life. Our goal is to provide the necessary supports so that every student has the opportunity to learn, and access technology for mobility, communication and optimal functioning in academics and life skills.

Students 5 to 21 years of age receive educational and therapeutic services as mandated on their Individualized Education Program (IEP) and in accordance with New York State Alternate Common Core Standards.

Services may include:

Education
Vision
Behavioral
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Speech-Language Therapy

Elementary

The major emphasis for students ages 5 to 12 years is on the development of cognitive, language (both verbal and non-verbal) self help, gross and fine motor skills and social skills.

Adolescent

Students 13 to 21 years of age participate in a program that continues to promote development of cognitive, language and communication, gross motor, fine motor and social skills. It also offers specialized training in vocational and community living skills.

Community training is available for students 13 years and older. This unique experience provides an opportunity to integrate into the community while practicing skills learned in school.

Transition Services are provided to students, 13 to 21 years of age. The focus is to develop program plans for students that create outcomes for adult participation in all aspects of the community, such as employment, living situations and leisure activities.

Summer Work Skills Program
Students 15 to 21 years of age have the unique opportunity to participate in actual work experiences while attending a 6 week summer program. Each day involves on the job work training and classroom experience as well. IEP goals and objectives are incorporated into all educational and therapeutic activities throughout the day. At the completion of the summer program, students have a keen sense of job interests and skills needed to support work in those areas. Students also work on related skills in how to fill out an application, how prepare for a job interview, and work related skills on time and attendance, and appropriate work socialization.

TO GET STARTED, call 716.505.5700

Services for developmental disabilities must be requested through the school district you reside in.

What supports can you offer to us and the district for planning school to adult life transition for my teen-aged loved one?

School to Adult Life Transitions

Aspire utilizes a team-based approach to planning for a student’s transition. The transition plan is incorporated int o the student’s Individual Education Plan(IEP) and can include employment, continuing education or supported day services. Adult living opportunities are explored, as well as appropriate leisure activities and transportation plans. Aspire transition plans are designed to adhere to NYS graduation guidelines and can include:

Vocational Profiles – An Aspire evaluator performs an in-depth profile of the individual’s skills, interests, learning abilities, and opportunities for success in the community. This person-centered approach is designed to empower the supported individual to achieve their highest potential for activities and employment.
World of Work (W.O.W.)™ – This program introduces high school students to the job world through real life employment situations throughout the school year. The experiences come through internships and volunteer opportunities and introduce employer expectations, appropriate work etiquette, dressing for employment, and other pre-employment skills.
Educational Coaching/College Support Plans – Support plans are designed to prepare the student for a seamless transition from high school into college life.
Project SEARCH – A nationally accredited, collaborative, business-led effort offering high school students in their last year of school with the opportunity to attend classes and internships at a local business, with a goal toward employment upon graduation.

Educational Services