The Havern
Autism Program

Havern School has been a leader in educating neurodiverse students for more than 50 years. Over time, we have identified a need for more robust programming to serve the specific needs of students with level 1 or level 2 autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and we designed Havern Autism Program (HAP) to serve them.

HAP provides each autistic student with the academic and behavioral tools and resources they need to expand their opportunities in school, in the community, and at home.

Scroll down to learn who we serve, what makes our program unique, and learn more
about our day-to-day.

Who the HAP Program Serves

The origin of the word “hap” is “luck or fortune,” and that describes exactly how our team feels to have the opportunity to serve such incredible students.
Curious if HAP is right for your family? Ask yourself these questions:

Does your child have a level 1 or level 2 autism diagnosis?

Is your child in grades K-6 and capable of performing at grade level with appropriate classroom support?

Would your child benefit from a classroom with a 3:1 student-to-teacher ratio?

Does your child have mild to moderate behavior challenges that interfere with their learning or the learning of others?

Is your child able to communicate vocally, or do they have emerging vocal language capabilities?

Would your child benefit from behavior interventions in a classroom setting?

Is your child able to manage toileting independently, without requiring support beyond structured routines and/or occasional reminders?

If you answer yes to at least four of the following questions, your child might be a good fit for HAP, and we invite you to contact our team to learn more about how we can support your child in their growth and help them be their best self.

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HAP Student Testimonials

"I love school!"

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"I want the day to be longer!"

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"I love school!" • "I want the day to be longer!" •

Why Choose HAP

The HAP program, diverging from the norm of traditional schools, customizes its curriculum to address the specific academic and behavioral needs of autistic students within their own classroom environment. This integrated approach allows autistic students to remain in their regular classes for essential services like speech & OT therapy or social skills training. This integration fosters a stable learning environment, crucial for concentrating on educational progress, skill development, behavior modification, and nurturing independence.

The HAP team is dedicated to continuously monitoring and evaluating student progress. Through systematic progress tracking and data analysis, the team adapts and refines the program to align with the distinct and changing needs of each individual HAP student.

Moreover, HAP's integration with our broader Havern School community offers invaluable opportunities for students to engage in social interactions and build relationships with peers from different classes. This occurs through shared activities such as lunch, recess, and school-wide events. Additionally, the program encourages social development through smaller group or individual interactions in the buddy program and peer-led play sessions.

In addition to these features, the HAP program is structured to promote comprehensive developmental growth, focusing on increasing autonomy, boosting confidence, improving time management, and refining executive and social skills. Students participate in a variety of daily activities that support these objectives. Notably, independent projects like cooking, gardening, or contributing to community initiatives such as the school buddy bench play a significant role. These projects not only develop practical skills but also promote personal growth and responsibility.

The curriculum also includes structured literacy and math rotations, offering dynamic and interactive instruction tailored to individual learning preferences and needs.

A distinctive aspect of the HAP program is its emphasis on preference-based learning. Students select topics of interest, research them, and then creatively present their findings through 3D model construction. This approach deepens subject matter understanding, cultivates critical thinking, problem-solving, and presentation abilities. Displaying their models to peers facilitates effective peer-to-peer learning, bolstering communication skills and fostering a sense of community.

Overall, our varied and stimulating curriculum supports the all-around development of students, equipping them for future academic pursuits and personal growth.

What We Offer

  • A caring and nurturing K-6 environment where all students feel welcomed and empowered to become active participants in their education.

  • Individual academic, social skills and behavioral support plans that are thoughtfully developed for each student’s goals and are regularly revised based on the student’s evolving needs and to promote increasing independence.

  • Master’s-level special education teachers with experience supporting autistic students, as well as support services from Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), occupational therapists (OTs), speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and mental health providers.

  • Ample individualized attention through a 3:1 student-to-teacher ratio.

  • Small class sizes with a maximum of six students per classroom.

  • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)-based classroom management and instruction model.

  • A robust range of curricula to meet the highly individualized needs of our autistic learners, including all core subjects and a variety of weekly specials, such as art, PE, library and technology.

  • Research-based social skills curriculum and social-emotional instruction embedded within daily programming.

  • Speech-language therapy and occupational therapy supports in the classroom, coupled with weekly classroom activities to advance growth in these areas.

  • Caregiver collaboration to facilitate ongoing caregiver involvement and to support consistent execution of intervention plans across environments, including at home and in out-of-school therapies.

  • Classrooms located within the east wing of Havern School and designed for small groups of students to engage in in-depth learning for each core subject, as well as break-out rooms for 1:1 instruction or taking personal space when needed.

  • A large group space conducive to supporting social skills practice or larger group activities, which also includes Havern’s sensory space with a freestanding sensory swing.

  • Transition planning to facilitate a seamless adjustment for students exiting HAP into Havern or other school settings.

Want to learn more?

Let’s get to know each other—we’d love to welcome you to our school to show you everything we offer and to learn more about your child! Please click the link below to schedule a tour with Jessica, our Director of Enrollment. During our informative tour, we are more than happy to discuss tuition, answer your questions, and show you around our campus.