Success Through Structure

The Success Through Structure course is designed for adults (ages 18 and over) with autism and/or intellectual disabilities who have not been active outside their homes for some time and/or are not used to having routines/structure during their day.  The duration of time sitting and participating in an interactive lesson begins with short intervals of class time that are followed by various types of breaks (group exercise, dancing, games, and relaxing breaks).  As the students become successful sitting and participating in class, expectations and the duration of time sitting and participating in class increases accordingly.  Lessons take place in a classroom; class trips into the community also take place on a monthly basis.

Tuesdays and Thursdays are allocated for lessons and activities that are aimed at academics, tablework, group instruction, music, exercise, and emotions via the Zones of Regulation.

Wednesdays are allocated for lessons and activities surrounding social skills development, arts and crafts, baking, cooking, music, community outings, and emotions via the Zones of Regulation.

Intake assessments are facilitated and assist in determining the suitability of specific Academy programs.  There is a one-time assessment fee of $150.  A summary report of the assessment is provided to the student and their family/caretakers once completed.

White Pines Academy utilizes the Assessment of Language and Learning Skills (ABLLS-R) and Assessment of Functional Living Skills (AFLS) to assess students' baseline skills, and to guide  future individual and group programming.  Specific skill acquisition programs are written, and progress is tracked via data collection.

Parents/caregivers and students are also provided with mid-term and final progress reports, and are invited to parent/caregiver/student & teacher interviews.

Lesson Themes Include:

• Following rules
• Using manners when in public settings, the importance of good hygiene
• Calendar - days, months, year, seasons
• Learning emotions and self-regulation strategies using "The Zones of Regulation"
• Important life lessons taught through stories and fairy tales
• Reading, reading comprehension, fine motor skills development, writing, colouring, worksheets, educational folder games
• Learning how to use Independent Activity Schedules (activities are individualized)
• Arts and crafts
• Community helpers and community safety
• Numeracy/math skills, receptive and expressive identification of money
• Computer skills, typing, functionally navigating the internet
• Developing stronger executive functioning
• Cooking/baking and following instructions/recipes
• Food groups and the importance of healthy eating and sleep schedules

Support is available for prospective students that cannot fully use the washroom independently.

The staff to student ratio at White Pines Academy is 1:3 or 1:4 – depending on the functioning level, as well as the level of care and supervision that the current students being served require. WPA also has peer mentors, volunteers from the community, and students from various colleges acquiring experience for their student placements – assisting throughout the year. 

Prospective students must not exhibit aggressive or highly disruptive behaviours.