The Importance of Residential School-Based Family Support

The Importance of Residential School-Based Family Support Caitlin Sweetapple, Ed.D., Arij Abdul-Hamil, LMHC Lauren Koffler, MSW Shrub Oak International School Providing school-age support for families and caregivers with an autistic child varies based on the school program the student is enrolled in. It is imperative that alongside the programming and support autistic students receive, parents […]

A Call for Reform of the Least Restrictive Environment

Call for Reform of the Least Restrictive Environment Caitlin Sweetapple, Ed.D. Director of Research Shrub Oak International School Section 1412 (a) (5) of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) outlines regulations regarding the least restrictive environment (LRE). The statute states: To the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities, including children in public or private institutions […]

Shrub Oak is Reopening All Programs!

We are excited to announce that, based on Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order allowing in-person New York special education programs to resume this summer, Shrub Oak has implemented a reopening plan to welcome both day and boarding students back onto campus. We are thrilled by the prospect of seeing our current students and families again, and […]

Special Education at Shrub Oak International School: Providing the Groundwork to Success

Awareness and acceptance of autistic students have amplified with the recent increase in diagnostic prevalence nationwide (Autism Speaks, 2019). ASD diagnoses have steadily risen in recent years from 1 in 68 children in 2016 to 1 in 59 children in 2018 (Autism Speaks, 2019). Students with ASD require structured educational programs with clear, individualized goals […]

Education Driven By Student Passion

Parents often tell us they want an education for their children that incorporates their interests and passions. At Shrub Oak, we accomplish that by providing opportunities for active and experiential learning. By connecting with each child on an individual level, we create an environment that is conducive to the deepest level of learning possible. We […]

Our Dedication to Learning

Learning never ends for Shrub Oak International School staff and faculty. This Spring we’ve embarked on a series of webinars and training sessions to take advantage of our Advisory Board members’ extraordinary expertise. One thing that differentiates our faculty is that, while other programs hire us to consult and teach their staff, we’re actually excited […]

Shrub Oak International School Attends UN’s World Autism Awareness Day

April is National Autism Awareness month. This year, in observance of World Autism Awareness Day, Shrub Oak International School will attend the United Nations’ (UN) panel discussion. Established by United Nations Resolution World Autism Awareness Day was first observed in 2008, following unanimous approval of an international resolution on the Rights for Persons with Disabilities […]

Leaders, Pioneers, and Change Agents

There are many remarkable aspects about Shrub Oak International School that make it a groundbreaking model for autism education. But none of these is more critical to our mission than our internationally renowned – and actively engaged – Advisory Board. The twelve individuals on the Shrub Oak Advisory Board were selected for their unique areas […]