Welcome to the Nashoba
Learning Group Website
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Providing help for children with autism – and hope for their families.
Nashoba Learning Group (NLG) is a non-profit educational organization committed to helping children and their families in the fight against autism. Our school, which opened in January 2003, provides state-of-the-art education and intervention services to children with autism and related developmental disabilities. Nashoba Learning Group welcomes individuals with autism and related developmental disabilities, between the ages of 3 and 22, of any race, color, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.
- NLG provides one on one teaching, using the techniques of Applied
Behavior Analysis, to each student throughout the school day.
- NLG is a full year program operating for
221 days per year (calendar attached). The school day runs
from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- NLG does not discriminate in admission,
administration of its policies, or application of its curriculum on the
basis of race, color, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic
origin.
- In January 2003, NLG opened its doors with 2 students in space
leased from the United Methodist Church educational building in
Westford. By November of 2004 NLG had grown to capacity of 28 students
at its original location. Shortly thereafter NLG’s Board of Directors
voted to search for a new location to accommodate the increased
programming needs of its existing students and to allow admittance of
additional students on its growing waiting list. NLG temporarily took on
additional space near its original site and integrated 16 additional
students between November 2006 and December 2007.
- NLG relocated to its current home at 10 Oak Park Drive in Bedford,
Massachusetts in February of 2008. This is a 2 story, 40,000 square foot
building on 3.9 acres of land in a private business park purchased by NLG in
January of 2007 and fully renovated to meet the increased needs of the
program.
- Nashoba Learning Group teachers are trained and experienced in ABA.
Many of our teachers have Masters Degrees in Behavioral Education or
related subjects and seven staff members are Board Certified Behavior
Analysts.
- Nashoba Learning Group teachers, and therapists trained in the techniques
of Applied Behavior Analysis, provide one to one intervention to each child
throughout the school day.
- NLG’s program is overseen by President and Clinical Director Elizabeth
Martineau, Ed.S., MBA, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Executive
Director, Maureen Vibert, MBA, with 20 years of business experience. Michael
Cameron, Ph.D., BCBA and Lynn Brennan, Ed.D. provide frequent expert
consultation.
- NLG’s clinical advisory board includes Dr. Gina Green and other leaders in
the field of autism.
- A certified Speech Language Pathologist oversees development of speech and
language programs, an Occupational Therapist oversees the development of
occupational therapy programs and a Physical Therapist oversees the
development of physical therapy programs.
- As needed, NLG uses a functional assessment methodology to develop
individual behavior management plans that are in accordance with IDEA-97 and
all applicable federal and state regulations and standards. NLG utilizes a
positive approach to behavior management that focuses on rewarding appropriate
behavior and teaching appropriate alternative behaviors to children. NLG is
forming a human rights advisory committee to review all behavior plans and
ensure that any use of negative procedures, such as time out, is appropriate
and agreed to by parents and the sending school district. All staff is trained
in crisis prevention techniques and the safe and appropriate use of restraint.
- NLG develops an individualized curriculum for each
student that is designed to allow each child to achieve his or her IEP
objectives. NLG’s curriculum is aligned with the Massachusetts curriculum
frameworks. NLG ensures that all enrolled students’ participate in state
assessment programs as required.
- All NLG Learning Programs include the gathering of daily data on the
student’s progress and specific standards for assessing whether the student
has mastered the program. These data are summarized periodically and presented
to the IEP Team, so that the child’s educational progress can be assessed. NLG
Learning Programs utilize the rich array of teaching techniques developed
through Applied Behavior Analysis and validated by scientific research as
effective for the education and treatment of individuals with autism.
- The goal of NLG services is to assist children in gaining the capabilities
needed to participate in less restrictive settings. In partnership with the
sending School District, we provide supported inclusion opportunities as
appropriate for each child.
- Active family involvement is critical to the success of each student at Nashoba Learning Group and is a requirement of the program. At NLG family involvement includes: family participation in monthly clinic meetings to optimize their child’s program; regular observation of children at NLG by family members; educational workshops for parents; and, home visits by NLG to promote generalization, develop specific skills, and work on behaviors at home or in the community. NLG’s parent advisory group will serve as an important additional mechanism for ensuring parent involvement in the program.
