Programas
The Aspen Program serves students across a wide range of ages and abilities who benefit from support in developing social skills, communication, and strategies for reducing challenging behaviors. Most students are verbal and are working toward increased independence in social, emotional, and academic settings.
Many students in the program also have co-occurring mental health diagnoses, so there is a strong emphasis on social-emotional learning and supportive relationships. The program includes four classrooms that offer a graduated level of support, with a focus on gradually fading supports to help students build independence and access less restrictive learning environments over time.
Aspen Leadership
Student Spotlight
Tosh began his time at The Joshua School in July 2022. When he started, he was very interested in building relationships with others, and the team focused on building rapport with Tosh to support him with accessing more academic work.
In the early days, we worked with Tosh on how to advocate for what he wants and needs, and he is currently thriving with advocating for himself. Tosh has also demonstrated great strengths in building relationships, maintaining a few friendships with peers over the last few years, as well as relationships with teachers. He has been a key player in ensuring that new students feel comfortable and welcome when they start at TJS. In addition, Tosh gained experience supporting younger children when he helped his lacrosse team coach the 3rd and 4th graders. The coaching staff of that team left raving reviews about how well he did.
Once Tosh built more consistent skills and habits with completing his work, he was given more choice throughout his day in order to include his input in what work is completed. Being able to be a functional member of the decision-making team shows how much responsibility Tosh has gained since starting at TJS. Tosh has especially played a role in discussing which vocational sites he wants to get work experience at, including The Right Step and the Cat Café, as well as which elective he wants to take at his public high school.
The progress Tosh has made has been incredible to observe. He has put in a lot of work to get to the place that he is in. His journey highlights the impact of steady support, strong relationships, hard work, and opportunities to practice skills across settings. Being in a place where he is attending job sites, going to a high school level elective, and communicating his wants and needs, is so meaningful to the new and different opportunities Tosh has opened up for himself.
Tosh’s dad has shared how proud he is of his progress and how much he values the relationships Tosh has built at TJS. He has also noted positive changes at home, reflecting how Tosh growth is carrying over into other areas of his life.
