Program Model

Our Program

Victory Autism Academy educates students from Kindergarten - 12th grade. We provide access to Alternative Academic Learning Outcomes aligned with Arizona Teaching Standards. Students receive intensive instruction based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis and the Structured Teaching Model. Instructional is delivered in a highly structured setting to improve learning and communication.

We believe in educating the whole child. Cognitive, language, social-emotional, and sensory motor systems must function together to help students reach their full potential. We teach in small-group formats that support individual needs while allowing participation in larger groups as students become increasingly social. Our average class size is 12-15 students with a 1:3 staff to student ratio.

Our integrated curriculum includes speech and language, emotional regulation, sensory-motor skills, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social skills, life skills, math, reading, writing, science, social studies, and art. Our staff works on objectives in each critical developmental and academic area taking advantage of natural opportunities to incorporate goals into every activity. Generalization is a primary goal, ensuring that students can master goals in many different settings. Our students are able to work on generalizing their skills by taking Community Outings.

Program Features

Our comprehension program focuses on teaching skills needed not only in the school setting but also in the real world. Below is a list of program highlights at Victory Autism Academy:

Effective and appropriate communication
Reduction/elimination of unwanted behaviors
Academic teaching in reading, writing, math, science, and social studies
Life skills to include self care/hygiene, laundry, cooking,/nutrition, food, shopping, and safety
Leisure and Play Skills
Social-Emotional Learning
Character Education

Community Outings
Best Buddy Program
Victory Cafe
Common Language
Structured Teaching Model
ABA- Based instruction
De-Escalation Room
Individual Education Plan (IEP)

Teaching Methodology

Our program is individualized to meet the specific needs of each child that enrolls at our school. Our program uses Applied Behavior Analysis and the Structured Teaching Model across all grade levels.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

ABA is scientifically proven to be most effective in helping children on the autism spectrum to acquire the necessary skills to reach their full potential. ABA is embedded into each child’s day across all settings and subject areas. Staff uses ABA to reinforce appropriate behavior by utilizing positive behavior support. Our students receive a variety of ABA techniques that are built into their everyday schedule including discrete trial training and pivotal response training.

Structured Teaching Model

The structured Teaching Model is a technique used with children on the autism spectrum to assist them with strengthening visual processing information. The Structured TEACCHing approach focuses on:

External organizational support to address challenges with attention
Visual and written information to supplement verbal communication
Structured support for social communication

Academic Program

Students receive differentiated instruction in all academic areas. Activities are designed to meet the unique needs of each student. Reading and math are taught in small group instruction as students rotate through four different stations. The four stations consist of a teacher station, independent work, technology, and sensory.

All instruction is aligned to the Arizona State Standards with appropriate modifications and accommodations to meet the individual needs of all students. We believe in using various teaching modalities to differentiate our teaching and learning for all students. Most of the instruction is taught individually or in small groups based on ability level. Below is a list of scientifically research-based curriculum used throughout the day:

● Unique Learning System
● enCore
● TeachTown Social Skills
● TouchMath
● EngageNY
● Learning Without Tears
● EdMark Reading Program
● i-Ready
● Image Learning

Positive Behavior Intervention

Victory Autism Academy believes in setting students up for future success. Each student has a token economy where they earn based on positive behavior. When students exhibit appropriate behavior or complete tasks, they are rewarded with a token that they can later exchange for a tangible item or access to a preferred activity.

ART

Each class receives art twice a week. Throughout this time students learn about specific artists and their art styles as well as the variety of art mediums that can be used to create. Art is often project based and allows students to include preferred topics of interest. Our program is specially designed with students' ability levels in mind. Materials and projects are adapted to ensure that all students can actively participate.

Why is art therapeutic to students on the autism spectrum?

Art promotes freedom of creative expression, which helps students to relax and think differently.
Art enhances communication through creative expression.
Anyone can make art, and there are so many different forms, which help students with Autism gain independence, confidence, and self-esteem.

Adaptive PE

Victory Autism Academy believes in promoting a healthy and active lifestyle for all of our students. To best support our students' individualized needs, PE is given in a way that is accessible to all students but pushes each individual to reach their highest potential. Adaptive PE at Victory Autism Academy follows both a traditional PE model with our higher functioning classes, and a life skills model with our students who require a higher level of support. However, all PE classes will base their instruction on the CBSE model which includes the following:

Core, Balance, and Flexibility- Functional Movements and Exercises
Brain and Sensory System- Neurological, Cognitive, and Emotional Health
Strength and Muscle Development- Anaerobic Resistance Training
Endurance and Stamina Adaption- Aerobic Cardiovascular Training

This model may look different from class to class, but is the foundation of our Adaptive PE program.

Special Olympics

Victory Autism Academy is heavily involved in the Special Olympics of Arizona (SOAZ) and participates in the Palo Verde region. Students ranging from 8 years and up are eligible to take part in the Olympic games where they may choose the sport they would like to be a part of. Sports that Victory Autism Academy competes in include but are not limited to Soccer, Basketball, Flag Football, Cheer, and more depending on interest. The beginning of each sport will start with a scheduled team meeting where the coaches will be introduced, schedules are given, and expectations are communicated. If an athlete joins a team, it is expected that the athlete attends all the practices. Athletes are required to have 8 hours of practice prior to an event so please make sure that practice is a priority. If your child is not at school on the day of a practice or event, your child may not participate in practice/game on that day.