An Inclusive Alternative
a bespoke education for children of determination
The Bridge Learning is an alternative education option in connection with mainstream schools, for students with developmental delays, such as Autism.
When Children of Determination are experiencing barriers that prevent them from learning effectively, we act as a ‘bridge’ to the mainstream classroom. We do this by providing bespoke curriculum plans and specialised provision to students. We utilise scientific and evidence based intervention methods, with routes in Applied Behavioual Analysis (ABA), to prepare SEND learners for mainstream settings; or to provide a well matched classroom experience.
The Bridge helps to cultivate an inclusive whole school community. We enable teachers to play key roles in facilitating the education of children with learning barriers. The Bridge provide a highly specialised provision, while supporting staff and the wider student population to teach, learn and live in a truly inclusive environment.
About.
A Multidisciplinary Approach.
The Bridge concept was born when the Assistant Principal of a mainstream school and a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst, realised that if they combine approaches, they could offer a unique experience; One that met the needs of the Students of Determination currently struggling in the mainstream classroom. A combined wealth of knowledge and experience prompted them to create an approach which encapsulates best practice from each discipline: Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Applied Behavioural Analysis, Educational Psychology and the rigor of mainstream classroom pedagogy; delivered alongside the high standards of the British National Curriculum.
The Bridge adopts a robust multidisciplinary approach which skillfully blends therapeutic intervention with schooling; we are not just a therapy center, we truly are an effective & inclusive school provision!
Evidence Based Programs.
Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is an evidence based, scientific therapy. ABA is used to target and improve specific behaviors, including social skills, speech, communication, academics, fine motor skills, self care and other competences. ABA is internationally recognised for its success in therapeutic intervention for individuals with Autism and other developmental delays. ABA helps children to improve social interactions, learn new skills and improve positive behaviours. Evidence suggests that ABA is most successful when intensely applied for more than 20 hours a week in early childhood. The Bridge utilises ABA methodology across the curriculum, to ensure an integrated, yet intensive approach for optimum progress.
A holistic approach, with high expectations.
When a student is referred to The Bridge via a mainstream setting, we work alongside the school’s inclusion team to identify any barriers to learning. We use a range of standardised and informal assessments to gauge gaps in knowledge, skills and understanding. These include: VB-MAPP, ABLLS, Functional Behaviour Assessments and British National Curriculum Baselines. From here, we construct a bespoke Individual Education Plan (IEP) in collaboration with teachers, parents, specialist staff and our resident Board Certified Behavioural Analysis (BCBA). Our IEPs are holistic, covering: academics, social, physical, communication and emotional goals.
Collaboration is Key!
Here at The Bridge, we have a very good working knowledge of school functioning, curriculum expectations and KHDA requirements. We aim to up-skill and empower entire school communities via meaningful partnerships and collective efforts. To enable students of determination to have high quality educational opportunities we provide teacher training, special events and parent workshops. When we partner with a school, we do not consider ourselves a separate entity, rather an expansion of the school’s inclusive community.
“A disability is the result of an individual’s interaction with society and is not an attribute of the person.”
Implementing Inclusive Education: A Guide for Schools Creating the capacity for change (KHDA 2019)
The KHDA guidance document Implementing Inclusive Education: A Guide for Schools Creating the capacity for change (2019) encourages UAE schools to operate alternative models of education that are human-rights based and recognise a Student of Determination’s (SoD) right to access the same quality of education as other students. However, barriers may prevent some Students of Determination from experiencing an effective education. In order to offer this high quality of education to all students, including those with developmental delays, school’s must be equipped with the skills and knowledge to do so. This is where the Bridge Learning Center comes in!