Daily Learning Support Program – DLS (ages 6 – 13)

1. Early Start Program (ESP); an Early Intervention Program – EIP (0-6 years)

These early years are the most critical period of a child’s growth and development. Receiving support as early as possible can create opportunities to maximize a child’s potential and empower them to achieve their milestones. Therefore, experts at Mind Center use this as an opportunity to work with children targeting key areas of development by providing a holistic multi-disciplinary action plan. The program focuses on 5 domains: Communication, Socialization, Cognitive, Daily Living Skills, and Pre-Academic Skills. Along with meeting the child’s developmental needs, the primary focus of the program is to enable parents to be an active part of the process and help incorporate educational therapeutic strategies into daily routines. Our ESP Early Intervention is a student-centered, structured multi-disciplinary program provided in a multisensory learning environment. Our team consists of Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Developmental Specialists, Psychologists, and Special Education Teachers.

For further information, please don’t hesitate to give us a call right away.

2. Daily Learning Support Program – DLS (ages 6 – 13)

The Daily Learning Support program is an extension of the 5 learning domains introduced in the Early Start Program. Students will receive intensive training on social, communication, cognitive, academics, and daily living skills with opportunities to work in groups and on a one-on-one basis. In addition to the domains, DLS will also focus on learning technology, music/movement therapy, and life skills activities based on students’ interests.

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3. THE THREE PILLARS OF MCSN 14+

Mind Center for Special Needs (MCSN) is the BRIDGE to access evidence-based special education and psychology services to overcome challenges individuals, their parents, and siblings face at school, home, or work environment. At MCSN, we will guide you to navigate the transition to adulthood through customized, assessment-based pre-vocational, vocational, and transitional services. Each client will have an Individual Transition Plan (ITP), collected through formal and informal assessments across areas of the client’s needs, interests, preferences, and strengths. We develop a comprehensive Transition Plan and create forward-focused recommendations. Through our in-house vocational settings, our specialized educational team will match the client with his or her potential environment.

Simply put, MCSN is the place for your child, adolescent, and any adult to gain vocational skills and transition into real-life experiences through employment, volunteer service, and other types of community appointments. We will make that possible!

         A.  Mind Transitional Program (MTP)

The Mind Transitional Program (MTP) was developed to improve transition programming for students with multiple disabilities from the ages of 14 and above. Successful transition to an active post-secondary life is achieved through a comprehensive array of academic and therapeutic services. Through our own center-based career simulations and real vocational settings developed in partnership with locally based businesses and corporates, customized programs are created utilizing a functional approach to academic and pre-vocational achievement. Educational and therapeutic goals and objectives are set together and delivered in an integrated model by a highly collaborative team of professionals. The MTP team is comprised of Special Education Teachers, Transition Coordinators, Counselors, Speech Therapists, and Behaviorists –all working together to facilitate each student’s achievement of their individual goals and objectives.

MTP includes all services within the DLS Silver Package. MTP has access to Career Simulation Modules (CSM) and Community Engagement Modules (CEM).

          B.  Career Simulation Modules (CSM)

MTP utilizes Career Simulation Modules (CSM) to address academics, instrumental activities of daily living skills, and the development of pre-vocational readiness skills. These simulations change periodically to reflect current trends.

Examples of MCSN modules:

• Busy Bean Café – Retail & dining simulation
• Clinic – Doctor’s office simulation
• Busy Bean Market – Retail & shopping simulation
• Hotel Room – Travel & Hospitality simulation
• Life Tools – Hard and Soft Skills coaching
• Office and Technology Training –Office support, Social Media, and Technology Training
• DHL on-site simulation service point

         C.  Add on: Community Engagement Modules (CEM)

MCSN leverages its partnerships with local businesses and corporates, schools, universities, and recreational facilities that offer various experiences. These structured learning experiences are authentic community-based opportunities, exposing students to fundamental aspects of specific industries that will help each student develop broad and transferable skills. Each student will have an IEP and a customized training plan.

Additional services: Shadow Trainer

4. Mind Vocational Bridge (MVB)

The MCSN Vocational Bridge (MVB) is a community-based Vocational Training Program serving adults with intellectual disabilities.

Vocational education provides invaluable opportunities for students to develop and apply skills in real-world settings. It provides opportunities for students to demonstrate skills and aptitude that teachers and parents might not previously be aware of. Vocational education provides productive, meaningful, and safe training to students which can lead to a better and more independent future.

Benefits for Students:

Students in our vocational education program will benefit from the program in ways that would increase their confidence and independence, improve their communication, language, and social skills and help them be productive citizens of their communities. We aim that students are met with a holistic nurturing and learning environment that would help them succeed in their life goals.

We aim to prepare students;

• to be out in society
• to explore their talent
• to contribute to a more inclusive society
• to increase their confidence

What’s in it for companies:

• Better reputation
• Better communication skills of their own employees
• Understanding different people
• Employees become good mentors

Our model ensures each person is properly trained and supported towards the goal of transitioning into the workforce. Apart from necessary academics, our program focuses on trade skills that apply to a technical and practical profession.

Our program focuses on;

• Helping individuals develop effectiveness in the practice of a trade or occupation
• Helping individuals integrate into the workforce.
• Fostering an individual’s personal development and acquisition of occupational knowledge, skills, perceptions, and mobility.

 Program Strategy:

• Instructors provide students with procedural knowledge.
• Jobs assigned in the center are more in-depth and structured for longer time periods.
• Transitional IEP format
• Academics + Life Skills (More focus on employability skills)
• Offer a final report and certificate/diploma

Vocational Skills Program will focus on 8 main Employability Skill

Communication

• Reading
• Listening
• Speaking or using a device to communicate
• Following and giving directions accurately
• Sharing information
• Understanding and processing information
• Requesting and offering assistance
• Answering the phone and taking a message
• Talking on a topic (discussion skills)

Teamwork

• Working with people of all ages
• Knowing what your role is
• Being able to listen closely and speak clearly
• Knowing appropriate interactions with coworkers

Problem Solving

• If there is a problem, think hard on how to solve it or ask for help
• Think about how you solved a problem in the past

Initiative

• Seeing a problem and solving it before being asked to
• Being able to stop doing one task to do something which is more urgent then going back to the first task
• Ask what you can do, not waiting to be told

Planning and Organizing

• Coordinating tasks to be done
• Making lists
• Having the right tools for the job at hand

Self-Management

• Being on time
• Displaying appropriate workplace behavior and etiquette
• Correct clothing
• Knowing when and when not to socialize
• Asking to go on a break
• Using appropriate voice tone and volume
• Writing to-do list
• Handling money
• Watching your time

Learning

• Enthusiastic about learning new skills
• Invest your time in learning new skills
• Willing to learn on and off the job

Technology

• Basic range of technology skills
• Practice using new technology

5 reasons why students with disability should consider our vocational program:

1. Greater Independence: Students with disabilities gain greater independence during their time in our vocational program. By attending classes and completing assignments, they learn to take charge of their education.
2. Increased Confidence: Students with disabilities often struggle with self-esteem issues. By completing our vocational program, they will gain a set of skills that allows them to get a job and have a regular income. They also gain a sense of pride in their accomplishment, which often gives them the confidence to explore further personal and professional goals
3. Earning Stable Income: Students graduating from our program can acquire skills desirable to the job market and can be able to earn a stable income. A stable income can help them lead an affordable independent life.
4. Focus on Social Skills: Our vocational program offers ample opportunities for students to interact with one another both inside and outside the classroom. Students develop useful communication skills when they interact with their peers, teachers, and employers.
5. Provide Structure: Our program follows a rigid class schedule that may benefit students with disabilities, many of whom function better with a predictable routine.

MVB Programs:

       A.  Supported Employment Program (SEP)

• • Assessment
  • Simulation modules
  • Academics
  • Soft Skills
  • Technical Skills

       B.  Individual Supported Employment (ISE)

• • Assessment
  • Simulation modules
  • Academics
  • “Soft Skills” classes are employability non-technical skills, such as communication, self-management, planning, decision making, self-esteem, and problem-solving.
  • Technical Skills
  • Job internship placement with a shadow
  • 4 weekly sessions in a group and individualized.

5. College and Inclusion Bridge (CIB)

MCSN provides extensive college planning for students with learning differences. We emphasize self-advocacy and independence and work with the student to find the right college or university. We work with students with learning differences such as processing disorders, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. We will work with our students to break down the existing barriers and support our students and adult clients to feel valued. We will enable a disabled individual to attend college and increase confidence to engage in public spaces.

Our process:

• A comprehensive review of the student’s educational history, including psycho-educational assessment, neuropsychological reports, IEP, high school transcripts, and any other relevant documentation is completed.
• Cognifit Assessment/KABC
• We identify the student’s learning styles and personality to help the student choose suitable courses.
• We guide the student on all aspects of the college application, including essays, curriculum vita, recommendation letters, and interviews.
• We evaluate college acceptances based on a student-driven approach to determining the right fit.

Additional Services:

• Tutoring
• Guidance and counseling
• Guidance to standardized test preparation
• Psycho-educational assessment
• Neuropsychological evaluations