CASE Collaborative

Student Population:

The CASE class at Carlisle Elementary School serves children 8 to 11 years old who present with a variety of developmental delays in a combination of areas.  Most if not all of the children exhibit delays in cognitive skills and academic readiness, although some of them may show age-appropriate intellectual potential.  Receptive and expressive communication delays of approximately 1 to 3 years are common.  Other areas of special needs in this class may include motor planning, social skills, sensory modulation, or perceptual/perceptual-motor functioning, including fine motor skills.  The class may include children with pervasive developmental disorder when cognitive skills are consistent with those of the rest of the class and behaviors are not problematic.  The maximum student enrollment in this class is generally nine students.  One to three aides assist the teacher depending on the size and the needs of the class.

Program Description:

The CASE program in Carlisle provides therapy services for students, both individually and in small groups, consistent with the children’s IEP’s.  For the most part, therapy services are provided in the classroom to facilitate carry-over by and consultation with the instructional staff.  Speech and language therapy and occupational therapy are most common; physical therapy is provided when appropriate.  Occupational therapy services address a range of areas, including fine motor, perceptual motor, and sensory motor programming.  Every week a trained counselor meets with the students as a class to help them develop pro-social skills, such as, making friends, expressing feelings constructively, cooperating with others, etc.

The curriculum for the CASE program in Carlisle is determined by the students’ IEP’s in coordination with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, and thematic coordination across the program is maintained on a monthly basis.  Examples of monthly units include community helpers, ocean life, family, and other topics related to the Massachusetts Frameworks for Science and Social Studies.  When appropriate, thematic units culminate with a day trip off school grounds.

Students in the CASE Carlisle program are identified with an age-appropriate grade level:  second grade, third grade, or fourth grade. They are included in mainstream activities with the support of CASE staff, as delineated by their educational TEAMs. Inclusive programming is most often arranged for “specials” (art, music, physical education, library), and social areas (lunch, recess), although students are also mainstreamed at times for core academics, science, or social studies.  Students graduating from the CASE program at Carlisle Elementary School can generally be expected to transition to supportive programming in their local school district.

Additional Information:

Enrollment in the CASE Carlisle Program is by consensus of the child’s parent(s), the child’s school district, and the CASE Collaborative.  Additional information about this or other CASE classes may be obtained by contacting the CASE Collaborative office in Concord or by speaking with the special education office of a CASE member district.

Please direct inquiries and referrals to:

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