#United States #Inclusive Education #Shrub Oak #Mohegan Lake #Deaf students

Shrub Oak International School's Innovative Program

Shrub Oak International School, located in Mohegan Lake, New York, proudly announces the ongoing expansion of its specialized program tailored specifically for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafAutistic, and DeafDisabled students. Over the past six years, this program has transformed into a comprehensive, student-focused model, prioritizing language access, individualized assistance, and inclusive community engagement.

Currently, the program serves three DeafDisabled students, each receiving personalized educational and communication support to meet their unique needs. This approach is facilitated through a diverse array of resources which include, but are not limited to, one-on-one interpreters, augmentative and alternative communication methods (AAC), and various visual tools such as pictures and tangible symbols. Moreover, high-tech resources including tablets, laptops, and smartboards are seamlessly integrated into daily activities, ensuring that students have meaningful access to both academic content and social experiences.

Central to the philosophy of Shrub Oak is a multimodal, multilingual approach, incorporating spoken English, American Sign Language (ASL), and various visual, digital, and kinesthetic communication methods. This methodology not only promotes language development but also cultivates an inclusive environment that values and empowers diverse learners.

The team at Shrub Oak comprises four highly proficient educational interpreters, all of whom have undergone rigorous training through recognized Interpreter Training Programs such as LaGuardia ASL-English Interpretation Program and Bloomsburg University. These interpreters play an essential role not only during academic hours but also extend their interpreting services to residential and after-school activities, enabling students to engage in community experiences alongside their peers.

Collaboration is pivotal to the ongoing success of this program. The interpreters actively partner with an interdisciplinary team consisting of a Teacher of the Deaf, a Special Education Teacher, a signing mental health clinician, and other related service providers. This collaborative effort not only supports the students but also enriches the broader school community through continuous staff training. Topics covered in these trainings include Deaf culture, language deprivation and its repercussions on behavior, regulation and learning, visual support strategies, advocacy, Deaf identity, and best practices for collaborating with educational interpreters.

A notable example of Shrub Oak's inclusive educational approach is illustrated in their Winter and Spring Showcases. Throughout the academic year, music classes actively integrate ASL and the works of Deaf creators, thus ensuring accessibility while fostering a sense of belonging among hearing peers. During these performances, DeafDisabled students take center stage, participating by signing songs or engaging with percussion instruments. They are supported through interpreter teams, visual aids displayed on smartboards, tactile sound experiences facilitated through speakers and subwoofers, captioned media, and innovative lighting techniques to enhance their overall experience.

According to Diana Becker-Johnston, the Lead Educational Interpreter at Shrub Oak International School, "Our role transcends conventional interpretation—we are actively involved in fostering language, connection, and identity among our students. Witnessing these students engage fully in performances, communicate through ASL and music, and share those enriching moments with their peers is profoundly inspiring. Our aim is not merely inclusion but ensuring that every student's unique contributions are acknowledged and appreciated."

The commitment demonstrated by Shrub Oak International School to provide accessible and inclusive education continues to forge meaningful opportunities for DeafDisabled students, empowering them to learn, develop, and showcase their remarkable capabilities both within the classroom and beyond.

About Shrub Oak International School and The Pines at Shrub Oak

Shrub Oak International School is dedicated to enhancing the lives of autistic children, adolescents, and young adults. Through tailored, strengths-based educational approaches, the institution seeks to help students cultivate meaningful relationships, navigate their communities, and achieve their fullest potential. The Pines at Shrub Oak, situated on the same campus, offers a specialized therapeutic program addressing the unique needs of neurodiverse individuals—regardless of an autism diagnosis—who require intensive behavioral health support.

Accreditations for Shrub Oak International School include recognition from the National Independent Private Schools Association (NIPSA), the Middle States Association Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools, and Cognia, which all serve to confirm the institution’s high standards of educational quality and effectiveness.

For further information about Shrub Oak International School, please visit www.shruboak.org or contact Lauren Koffler, Interim Executive Director and Head of Admissions and Organizational Growth, at [email protected].