School - 2007 Year in Review

• In March 2007, the Heartspring School reached full capacity in the residential program. Currently we have limited openings in the Heartspring School.

• The number of Kansas students increased from one student in 2004 to 13 students in 2007.

• The average age of Heartspring students continues to decline, opening the door for earlier intervention and positive outcomes. In 2007, 17 students were age 12 or younger and seven students were under the age of nine.

• A total of 62 students received education and care from the Heartspring School in 2007, an increase from 55 students the previous year.

• Students representing 18 states attended the Heartspring
  School last year, including students from three new states -
  Missouri, Kentucky and Arizona.

• Heartspring extended its expertise to a family from Bangladesh, helping a father and his son with autism
  through training and education on our campus.

• From January 2005 until June 30, 2007, we have increased
  our neighboring states student population from two to
  seven children.

• Forbes.com, one of the most trusted sources of information
  for world business leaders, featured the Heartspring School
  in a special round up of education facilities for children with
  autism. The slideshow presentation, part of a special section on the Rise of Autism, focuses on Heartspring’s relationship with the Wichita community and the advantage of students gaining real world experiences in a variety of social settings. Forbes highlighted Heartspring’s implementation of
  individualized programs designed to address every child’s
  specific needs.

• The state-of-the-art Multi-Sensory Environment Room which
  uses textures, lights, sounds and even smells to reinforce
  what students are learning at Heartspring, garnered several
  news stories from local media including all major television
  networks and a front page story in the Wichita Eagle
  newspaper, Local & State section in September 2006.

• The Wichita Business Journal and Wichita Eagle Business
  Today publications featured the Heartspring School’s
  Vocational Training Program. Through donated projects from
  area businesses, students gain valuable social interaction and
  work experience, preparing them for a life of greater independence.

The Heartspring School is focused on implementing innovative technology to help better understand and educate our students. We seek creative avenues to assist the physical, mental, social and behavioral growth for all students.

• The majority of Heartspring students work with our speech therapy team to help them communicate through a variety of alternative resources. Last year through assistive technology integration purchases such as touch screens, SpringBoard and Tech/Speak devices and a sequencer, more students were equipped with the necessary means to communicate their wants and needs more effectively.

• Educational software from companies like Lexia and Edmark enable Heartspring students to learn from programs that meet the unique educational challenges of children with special needs.We installed new software programs in our classrooms during 2007 providing learning activities that focus on specific skill sets.

• Students in the Heartspring School are benefiting from 10 upgraded mobile computer carts with wireless capabilities that provide internet access for online education and leisure programs. These computers are specifically designated for student use, allowing them to utilize specialized software, aiding in their successful completion of Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals.