New private school to focus on needs of children with ADHD and autism

An alternative private school is set to open in the region specifically to help students with autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Kathie Shaw is the co-founder of Oak Bridge Academy and said she hopes it will be open by September 2018.

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Shaw has been working with children who have autism for 17 years and said for parents, theirnumber one concern is around self regulation, emotional regulation and social skills, things that aren't taught in the public school system.

"There's been a need from parents asking and wanting an alternative school to try and support their [children's] needs," Shaw told CBC's The Morning Edition host, Craig Norris on Monday.

"The soft subjects that are not taught currently in the public school system like initiating, collaboration and cooperation ... those will be our core foundations."

Support psychological flexibility

Oak Bridge Academy'sgoal will be able to get children to collaborate and initiate in the classroom while also being flexible with play time, conversations and school work.

If a student is having a difficult time doing school work during a lesson, they would take the time to figure out what strategies they can work on to make sure they are able to get their work done, Shaw said.

Theidea of Oak Bridge Academy's foundation comes from a similar school created by Dr. Mark Dickson in Illinois. He started a school based on the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for children with autism.

"We're trying to pull that together and emulate something very similar to what [Dickson] had to really support this strong psychological flexibility for the children," she said.

A board of governors wasrecently put together for Oak Bridge Academy and they are currentlywaiting for their charitable status.

They are also in the process of finding a location, creating partnerships and getting corporate donations.