Listing Type :
MANSEF Schools
Location :
Maryland / Baltimore City
County : Baltimore City
Phone : 410-358-8270
Fax : 410-358-0895
Website : Visit School Website >>
Referral Contact : Michael A. Plummer, Ed.M.
Disabilities Served : 01 - Intellectual Disability, 06 - Emotional Disability, 08 - Other Health Impairments, 10 - Multiple Disabilities, 14 - Autism
Length of School/Program Year : 11 month
MSDE Approval Category : Type I Special Education
Capacity of Facility : 72 (COACH Program capacity 18)
Ages Served : 5 - 21
Grade Range : Graded K - 8 and non-graded program for ages 5-21
Private Pay Students Accepted : No
Setting : Day
Before and/or After School Program : No
Nurse on-site (full or part time) : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Hours of Operation for School Day : 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Program Description : The Chimes School, which has been in continuous operation since 1947, is an 11-month nonpublic coeducational special education facility, approved by the Maryland State Department of Education. The school provides educational services to students between the ages of 5 and 21 with intellectual disabilities, multiple disabilities, and autism. A diploma track program is offered in grades K-8. A certificate of program completion is available for grades K-12. The student population has not only a wide age range, but also a wide range of functioning levels. Classrooms are located in one building in the Seton Business Park in Baltimore City. Classes are primarily self-contained, with student groupings based on functioning level and grade. All classroom teachers are certified in special education. The curriculum includes functional academics, practical living skills, pre-vocational and vocational training and self-help skills. Related services include speech/language therapy, social work, counseling, nursing, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. Behavioral supports and crisis intervention are also provided. Emphasis is placed on developing socialization skills with a focus on socially acceptable behavior. Community-based instruction is fostered throughout the program, in order to encourage generalization of skills across environments. As skills are learned, they must be utilized in naturally occurring situations to make them truly useful. Pre-vocational training is provided within the self-contained classrooms appropriate to the age and functioning level of the students. While basic skill development is stressed, the development of appropriate work attitudes and habits is equally important. As students reach the age of 14, an individual transition plan is developed as part of the IEP. Programming then focuses on vocational experiences, with many of the groups having regular jobs in the community. These jobs are made at a variety of community placements where students work as volunteers. This not only provides opportunities to explore areas of vocational interest at actual sites but also encourages the development of personal commitment to community service. The Chimes School links with Chimes Adult Vocational Services, Inc. to provide an appropriate work/study placement in the community. Individual students may meet the specified criteria for a community position for the hours indicated in the IEP. Training and job support services are provided by Chimes School staff. COACH PROGRAM COACH (Chimes Opportunities for Autistic Children), focuses on students who have a diagnosis of Autism, or a related disorder, which includes intense communication and behavioral challenges. This program uses researched based tools of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and Applied Verbal Behavioral Programming (AVB). Students being considered for this programming will have a history of behavioral needs, crisis intervention, communication challenges, sensory difficulties, and needs for career development related to Autism. Under the direction of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, students within the COACH program become more independent in their learning, work, and home environments. The use of AVB/ABA is incorporated into instruction to address intense skill development and behavioral needs. The value of participating, tolerating, and performing successfully within the group situation, among peers and co-workers, is an essential element for our COACH students. To support this effort programming includes Behavior Analysis, Speech Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Physical Therapy, Nursing, and Transition Planning. The use of Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VP-MAPP) is used to assist in the assessment of developmental milestones and to guide curriculum development. It is our philosophy that each student can develop appropriate means of communication, to reduce negative behavior and promote positive means of expressive language, coupled with generalizing such skills to the home and work settings.
Related Services : Social work, speech and language remediation, counseling, behavioral support, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and nursing.
