Integrated Preschool

Our preschool program includes children with and without disabilities. We are using the Texas Early Education Model (TEEM) which is research-based and follows preschool guidelines for development of skills. The focus for preschool children is:

• Develop phonological awareness, letter recognition and mathematics;
  
• Understand and use increasingly complex and varied vocabulary;
  
• Develop and demonstrate an appreciation for books; and
  
• Use language to communicate for a variety of purposes.

Primary Program

This program stresses academics through Individual Program Plans (IPPs), communication by strengthening receptive and expressive skills through verbalization, sign language, and/or communication devices, self discipline, and life skills including self feeding and personal hygiene. Community-based activities reinforce classroom objectives and focuses on teaching students skills across environments.

T.E.E.N. Class (Teenagers Enjoying Education Now)

This program employs individualized curriculum to enhance the academic learning and self esteem of the students. Secondary students work toward graduation either through a traditional credit program or through preparation for taking their GED exam. Students preparing to take their GED are also offered the option of working part of their day. Students are grouped by ability and age rather than strictly by grade level. Community- based activities include trips to public library, museums, recreational settings, and special events.

Vocational Day Program

Along with continuing their individualized academics, students are engaged in a variety of work experiences such as horticulture, pottery, woodworking, and specialized artwork. Students shop, cook, and participate in community recreation. This program stresses the development of independent living skills for secondary and post- secondary students. Money generated through these programs is distributed to students in the form of a paycheck. The community-based portion of this program provides opportunities for supported or competitive employment. Bynum School has an agreement with cooperating employers that allows our students to have on the job training with the support of a job coach.

On Site Therapies

Music Therapy, which is taught by a certified music therapist, engages students in singing, listening, moving, relaxation, and playing instruments. Music stimulates a child’s senses and improves self-awareness, confidence, readiness skills, coping skills, and social behavior.

Music Therapy is not provided just because a student enjoys music or simply because the student has a disability. It uses music to assist students in attaining specified educational and communication goals. Music goals include proficiency on an instrument, participation in a choir, and appreciation and understanding of music.

Extensive research proves the effectiveness of Music Therapy. It encourages students to touch, manipulate, listen, verbalize, watch and produce sounds that are pleasant to them. It encourages development of physical body movements, interactive communication and participation. The praise of the therapist adds to the feelings of success and students soon begin to explore other learning opportunities with a feeling of confidence. Music Therapy allows them a fun, creative avenue to work on their goals and live up to their full potential.

Speech Therapy, Project T.A.L.K. (Teaching Adaptive Language for Keeps), develops a child’s ability to communicate through vocalization, sign language, and/or the use of augmentative communication devices.
The focus is primarily on overall functional communication in their homes, schools, and communities. Children who have limited or no communication skills have difficulty following directions, demonstrating new skills, and relating their basic needs to caregivers. As a result, they become highly frustrated when interacting with others. This high frustration level is the basis for many inappropriate or unacceptable behaviors that can jeopardize their participation in the community. A person’s ability to communicate has a direct impact on their quality of life.

The speech and music therapists collaborate to enhance individual student needs.

Occupational and Physical Therapy

Occupational and Physical Therapy are offered to students who qualify. Children who have physical disabilities require occupational and physical therapies (OT and PT) to reach their individual potential and allow them to function as independently as possible in their school, community and home environments.

Students benefiting from these services have disabilities such as cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, and mobility issues requiring them to use wheelchairs or walkers. Students with autism who suffer from sensory integration disorders benefit from water therapy, hippotherapy, recreational therapy, and sensory integration training. Individuals with these types of disabilities have stiffness in their joints and spastic movements that can limit their mobility. Regular therapy can ease pain, stretch tight muscles and provide better movement patterns that allow them to access their educational environments with much greater success and comfort.

By contractual agreement, Midland Children's Rehabilitation Center (MCRC) will conduct evaluations on each student and provide occupational and physical therapy to those who qualify. This will occur twice weekly in one hour sessions throughout the school year. Occupational and physical therapies that the children will receive include range of motion exercises, gross and fine motor skill development, water therapy, hippotherapy, learning to pedal and steer on adaptive bikes and scooters, walking on adaptive treadmills, and stimulation through sensory integration.

Therapists will also provide ongoing training to Bynum staff which will include evaluations of the school environment, recommendations for adaptations within the school, and ongoing support to the teachers. Regular and ongoing therapy will provide multi-faceted outcomes that will be essential to functional living as an adult in a world that is not necessarily accommodating to individuals with disabilities.

Extended Day Services

Morning care is available an hour before classes begin. At the end of the school day, extended hours are offered for a nominal fee to accommodate working families. Extended care coordinates a variety of activities to reinforce classroom objectives which may include homework help, arts and crafts, educational toys, children’s videos, and/or outdoor play.