Autism is a neurobiological disorder that affects an estimated 1 in 150 people in the United States. It lasts a lifetime and has no cure. People with autism process sensory information differently. They can be extremely sensitive or un-sensitive to smell, taste, touch, texture, sound, balance, and personal space. A child can literally throw up walking past a seafood counter, because he is so sensitive to the smell, while another child can have the TV volume turned up to its highest level just to obtain auditory information.
Sara Van Zee, Co-Director of the School of Autism, explains it this way, "Imagine a world where you received all information in the form of bombardment—nothing comes to you quietly and there is nothing you can tune out." This explains why some children with autism retreat into their own world; it's the only way they can cope.
The School of Autism (SOA) provides Portland families who have children with autism the therapy, support, and education they need. Located in the Portsmouth neighborhood at 7714 N Portsmouth, the SOA offers year-round preschool, kindergarten, and a mixed 1st and 2nd grade program. The school uses sensory immersion as a way of teaching children how to regulate the sensory information they receive.
Students are exposed to a variety of sensory inputs such as deep pressure, warm, wet, dark, visuals, etc. to familiarizet them with different sensory experiences and learn how to process them individually. For example, when children are given shaving cream to play with some scream and wipe it off, while others rub it over their entire body, craving that sensory experience. By continuously exposing students to a variety of sensations, they learn how to process the sensation and regulate their response.
The school's success is reflected in its waiting list and need for a larger facility. At present, a staff of four teaches 23 students in less than 3000 square feet of classroom space. The current location has reached its maximum capacity and cannot be expanded to support the increased demand the school is experiencing.
The SOA has secured a location that will more than double its classroom space to 6000 square feet and include a 5000 square foot playground. Plans for the new location include a library, 5 classrooms, community room, art room, music room, gym, and office/reception space. The new location will have 10 staff members and 50 students ranging from preschool to 3rd grade.
The new location is in the Cully neighborhood at 4735 NE 72nd Ave. Before the SOA can move forward with its plans, it must apply for a Conditional Use Review to obtain approval to use the new location as a school. The previous use was as a print shop, and since the location is within a residential neighborhood, any other use requires conditional use approval.
After the conditional use has been granted, the SOA can apply for a building permit and begin construction on the new location. SOA hopes to begin construction by the end of August, but that could easily stretch into October. The goal is to move the school into its new location by the end of 2009.
The School of Autism provides critical service and support to families who have children with autism. The success of its program is evident given the demand for its services. While the school charges tuition, it relies heavily on donations. As a 501(c)(3) all donations are tax deductible. If you would like to help the school grow, please visit the donation page on its web site.
School of Autism
7714 N Portsmouth Avenue
Portland OR 97203
503-283-9603
www.schoolofautism.com
Download the Notice of Pre-Application Conference.
