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The Bridge School

Education

The Education Program forms the heart of The Bridge School as it partners with families to provide a curriculum that:

  • Develops educational, social, recreational and life skills
  • Supports students as they work towards developing communication competence
  • Explores academic and social participation in a supportive setting
  • Documents effective instructional and communication intervention strategies
  • Integrates the use of augmentative and alternative communication systems and assistive technology

The Bridge School Model

The Bridge School Curriculum and Course of Study logoThe Bridge School provides high quality academic and social experiences that encompass a broad range of knowledge, skills and abilities across all subject areas with concurrent emphasis on supporting students’ use of assistive technologies, development of communicative competence with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems, and attainment of self-determination skills. Using research as a resource to guide our practices, we adapt, customize, implement and document intervention approaches, curricular activities, and instructional supports and strategies that best address the needs of our students in The Bridge School context and beyond.

Access the Curriculum Module.

Communicative Competence imagesAt The Bridge School, we believe that communication is a process of making meaning through shared engagement and interaction. We all have the desire to create meaningful connections with others, to learn and to share new knowledge, to talk and engage authentically with the important people in our lives.

Communicative Competence is “the ability to communicate functionally in the natural environment and to adequately meet daily communication needs” (Light, 1989). In order to develop communicative competence, our students with complex communication needs (CCN) and severe speech and physical impairments (SSPI) need specialized instruction to learn skills that enable them to communicate effectively for a broad range of purposes. At The Bridge School, they learn to use mainstream technologies and alternative and augmentative (AAC) systems and strategies to bypass, overcome, or augment their natural speech. Proficiency communicating with these tools and strategies fosters access, participation, motivation, and achievement across all curricular areas and life domains. Instruction in developing communication competencies is infused within the context of ongoing academic and social activities at The Bridge School.

Access the Communication Module.

sdp400x382It is essential for students with complex communication needs (CCN) to develop the skills and attitudes associated with self-determination in order to have direct influence in matters that affect the quality of their lives. The Bridge School Self-Determination Program provides students with the necessary tools and supports to become causal agents in their own lives through informed decision-making, thoughtful planning and persistent action to achieve their goals.

Access the Self-Determination Module.

Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) is a major cause of low vision in children in the developed and developing world due to increasing survival in pediatric and neonatal care (Phillip & Dutton, 2014).  CVI is also the most prevalent visual impairment for students at The Bridge School. Our students with CVI and Severe Speech and Physical Impairment (SSPI) have challenges that require specialized and appropriate vision accommodations that support them in meeting their educational potential.

Meeting the educational goals necessary to provide Bridge School students optimal opportunities for participation in areas of communication, education, and literacy, requires assessments and interventions that specifically address the unique needs of our students with CVI.

Access the CVI Module.

News

5/22/2023 —  Attend the Summer CVI Workshop

Do you work with children with Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) who have Complex Communication Needs (CCN) and want to gain the tools that will enable you to better support them as part of an interprofessional collaborative team? The Bridge School is offering a 2 day workshop on June 20-21, 2023 directed to teachers and other … Continue reading

5/4/2023 —  Employment Opportunity – Instructional Assistants

The Bridge School is looking for a dynamic, positive and energetic individuals to serve as Instructional Assistants (paraprofessional) in our school program and become a part of our interdisciplinary teams. We serve children between the ages of 3 – 12 with severe physical and speech impairments. Duties include assisting in instructional activities, providing physical care … Continue reading

3/6/2023 —  Communication Awareness

Talking with Technology October is the official Communication Awareness month, but Communication Awareness at The Bridge School is EVERY month. We share a location with North Elementary School in Hillsborough and our students attend classes and events with North students and staff.  Recently two of our students, who are on the North School Student Council, gave … Continue reading

1/18/2023 —  Register today for the 2023 AAC by the Bay Conference

Early bird registration open for Onsite attendees and Webcast Hosting Sites Thanks to the generosity of Cisco Systems, we are pleased to announce that registration is open for The Bridge School’s 2023 AAC By the Bay Conference: It Takes a Village.  This year, finally, we are hosting the conference on-site at the Cisco Executive Conference … Continue reading

12/9/2022 —  Make an impact!

Millions of people in the world have speech and language disabilities that make communication difficult. Therefore, it is critical to remind others that accessibility includes communication. Communication Access is about what you can do to communicate effectively. Personalize the “Accessibility Includes Communication” flyer and share with others tips on how they can interact and communicate … Continue reading

9/20/2022 —  Save the Date for 2023 AAC by the Bay

Save the Date for The Bridge School AAC by the Bay, April 27-28,2023. @ Cisco in San Jose, California.  Join us live in-person orstream online.  Details coming soon at: https://www.bridgeschool.org/outreach/aac-by-the-bay/

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