Temple Grandin School
The school is named for Temple Grandin, a noted college professor whose lectures and workshops about her own autism have enhanced professional understanding of autistic children. As part of the Children's Center, this state-certified, non-profit therapeutic school focuses on sensory integration and cognitive skill development. Emotional control, social interaction, communication and self-care skills are also emphasized.

School Hours
School Year - 9:00am to 2:00pm
Extended School Year(ESY) - 9:00am to 1:00pm

The Center has four school buildings housing high school, junior high school, elementary and preschool classes. These classes have been approved by Arizona Department of Education's Exceptional Student Services. The student's chronological age, as well as developmental level and individual strengths/needs are considered in educational programming.
School is in session 180 days during the regular school year with extended school year services available. For high school students, community integration, daily life skills & functional academics are provided.
Admission to the school requires that the student be eligible for classification in the categories of multiply handicapped, autistic, or other conditions according to the regulations of the Arizona Department of Education.  Placement is made based upon evaluation and school district procedures. The school district psychologist and parents participate in the development of the Individual Education Plan (IEP).
Upon placement, the student is assessed using standardized measures of adaptive behavior, sensory-motor functions, communication, level of educational achievement, and social-emotional development.  Parent reports, observation, and placement records are reviewed. The evaluations and assessments conducted by the Center's teachers and therapists are utilized to supplement psychological testing conducted by the contracting school district. The evaluation results are discussed with the parents and district representatives at a multidisciplinary team meeting to establish goals and objectives in an Individualized Education Plan for the student.  Instructional methods are assessed and modified according to the student's response to ensure appropriate programming.  Review of progress is conducted at the end of each semester. The results are used to evaluate and modify the program as needed.  Regression and recoupment of skills following school holidays are documented.
Educational staff includes special educators, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, music therapists and recreational therapists. Each is licensed, registered and/or certified in their respective disciplines. 
Educational areas are taught on an individualized basis with a focus on functional life skills, reading, writing, mathematics, communication, social skills and pre-vocational skills.  Our curriculum is on file with the Arizona Department of Education.  The curriculum addresses the following areas:
Self-regulation - impulse control necessary for socially acceptable behavior; modulation of over-reaction/under-reaction to sensory input; ability to postpone immediate gratification to an appropriate time without dysfunctional emotional response.
Independent Living Skills - including but not limited to: ability to care for bodily needs, toileting, bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, and food preparation, care of clothes, room, eating with utensils, communication, etc.
Community Survival Skills - including pedestrian safety, using a telephone, riding a bus (when possible), leisure skills (swimming, dancing, music, etc.), accessing public facilities.
Pre-vocational Competency - including career exploration, developing work habits such as responding to and carrying out directions, finishing a task, pleasant attitude and behavior toward peers and supervisor, and work skills as needed for a variety of jobs.

If you would more information about our programs or would like a tour of our school please contact Kent Rideout, Executive Director, at 623.915.0345 or you can email him at director@ccnsaz.org.
This page was last updated: 3/28/2011