CasaBlanca Academy

Welcome to the Only DIR® School in the State of Florida!

Located in Hollywood, Florida, CasaBlanca Academy opened its' doors in the fall of 2008. CasaBlanca Academy is an innovative school implementing the DIR® approach as an alternative to traditional behavioral models. Our highly-qualified staff, in conjunction with the family, designs a developmental program suited to each child's developmental profile, which results in specific strategies directly addressing each child's emotional, social and intellectual development. We offer a one-to-one student-to-staff ratio, and the environment at CasaBlanca Academy is always one of nurture, support and positive relationships.

What makes us different?

Our Approach

What is the DIR®/Floortime™ Model?
The Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-based (DIR®/Floortime™) Model is a framework that helps clinicians, parents and educators conduct a comprehensive assessment and develop an intervention program tailored to the unique challenges and strengths of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other developmental challenges. The objectives of the DIR®/Floortime™ Model are to build healthy foundations for social, emotional, and intellectual capacities rather than focusing on skills and isolated behaviors. Our best outcome measure, however, is what our families notice. When a child is happy and engaged, they are best able to learn!

The aim of the program is to produce children who:

• Are well-regulated Have healthy relationships
• Have good self-esteem and positive experience in a school environment
• Have a strong sense of self and are able to function independently
• Are in touch with their emotions
• Are independent thinkers and problem-solvers
• Are prepared emotionally, socially, behaviorally, and academically for less restrictive environments

Our Curriculum

At CasaBlanca Academy, we provide a comprehensive program based on the educational and developmental levels of the individual student. Our goal is to provide a solid foundation of learning while allowing flexibility in meeting the individual needs of our students.

Our curriculum is designed to strengthen each student’s developmental capacities in order to guide students to higher order thinking. Engagement, reciprocity, problem solving, and logical thinking are incorporated into every activity in a manner which is both meaningful and purposeful. The curriculum is based upon the DIR® (developmental, individual-differences, relationship-based) approach and includes:

• Speech and Language
• Self-monitoring techniques
• Social skills training/Peer Play
• Visuals
• Social stories
• Role-play
• Brain Gym
• Thinking Goes to School
• Star Power
• How does your Engine run
• Motor planning, yoga and visualization,
• Art/Creativity

Our program uses multi-sensory teaching materials to maximize opportunities for student learning.

Our Academics

Simultaneously, we offer a meaningful academic curriculum, in accordance with the Sunshine State Standards including math, science, language arts, social studies, health and physical education. Our academic programs build on each individual child’s abilities and interests, leading to increased comprehension and retention of all concepts introduced. Research proven curriculums used to assist students in meeting their academic goals are highly individualized for each student and include: Edmark Reading Program, Reading Milestones, Readers Theater, the Lindamood Bell The Talkies® program, Numicon Math, Saxon Math, as well as the AIMS Education Foundation Science Program.

Our Family Communication Model

Data is collected daily in order to monitor each child’s progress toward IEP goals and objectives. Each student receives weekly communication notes home as well as quarterly progress reports and annual IEP meetings. Additionally, parents are provided weekly pictures as well as regular videos to illustrate each child’s progress within various areas of our program. We welcome parents to make an appointment and observe the classroom in action!

Our Typical Peer Interaction Opportunities

Our location within the Hollywood Hills United Methodist Church provides students at CasaBlanca Academy many opportunities for typical peer interactions through the HHUMC pre-school and home-school programs including:

• School assemblies and concerts
• School dances
• Weekly peer activities
• Camp Days/ Field Days
• After school programs

Want to visit or apply?

Contact Lizzie Bicknell to set up an appointment to see for yourself!
Lizzie@casablancaacademy.org
954.415.1149