Classes, Outings and Support Groups

• Color key for classes and outings
  • Gray classes are meant for all students.
  • Blue classes are meant for people who:
    • Are most successful with a high level of support or prompting
    • Need multiple verbal or physical prompts to follow verbal directions
    • Need a 1-on-1 caregiver who will come to each class with the participant
    • May need someone else’s hands to help complete a movement, like using scissors (hand-over-hand help)
    • Need physical prompts or guidance changing between activities or tasks
    • Need help from a caregiver with medicine while at the center
    • Need help going to the bathroom while at the center
    • Need clear visual schedules or supports custom made for them to be successful
    • Need behavioral support during class time for frequent challenging behaviors, such as refusal, self-injury, disruption or vocal outbursts
    • Need full support from others (1-on-1 physical or verbal prompts) to calm down (de-escalate) from a behavioral escalation
  • Green classes are meant to be a blend of blue and yellow classes.
  • Yellow classes are meant for people who:
    • Are most successful with a moderate level of support or prompting
    • Need a blend of verbal prompts, gestures or physical prompts given to a small group to follow verbal directions
    • May need a 1-on-1 caregiver who will come to each class with the participant (to be decided by staff at the center)
    • Can change between activities with a few verbal prompts
    • Can express basic wants and needs and respond in basic social settings by voice, device or sign language
    • Need a little help going to the bathroom (staff can sometimes give verbal reminders)
    • May benefit from visual schedules or supports made for a small group
    • May have challenging behaviors such as mild disruptions, mild self-injury or infrequent vocal outbursts that do not pose a risk of harm to self, others or property and can be redirected or calmed (de-escalated) if they interfere with learning and functioning
  • Orange classes are meant to be a blend of yellow and red classes.
  • Red classes are meant for people who:
    • Are most successful with a low level of support or prompts or are mostly independent
    • Can follow most verbal or written instructions
    • Do not need a 1-on-1 caregiver
    • Can change between activities with little or no prompting
    • Can express detailed wants and needs and carry on more detailed and complex conversations by voice, device or sign language
    • Do not need help going to the bathroom
    • Do not need visual schedules or supports or can make their own with little support
    • Show little or no challenging behaviors
    • Can de-escalate on their own from a behavioral escalation or use a coping strategy they already know

Instructors who are experts in class topics teach with guidance from Seattle Children’s behavior specialists and leaders. To help all participants get the most from our programs, we follow these policies:

• Staffing ratios

  We keep a staffing ratio of 1 staff member to 4 participants in each class and outing. Alyssa Burnett Center staff cannot give participants 1-on-1 support. Based on level of need and behaviors, staff may decide during the intake process that participants need to have a 1-on-1 aide or caregiver come to classes and outings with them.

  Another option is that we may ask a caregiver or family member to come to some classes to help our staff decide the best approach. Over time, we may talk with you and your family about having either more or less caregiver support based on your needs and goals.

• Challenging or disruptive behaviors

  During the intake process, we ask about challenging behaviors so we can recommend classes that best fit you. We do not discriminate based on any past or current behavior or aggression, but our staffing ratio of 1 staff member to 4 participants is not a good match for everyone. We may request that you have additional caregiver support.

  If you have a diagnosis or a behavior that would be of concern (such as severely disruptive behaviors or recreational drug use), talk openly about it with a staff member during your intake process. We hope to help all families find the best possible resources. Please call 425-488-6173 or email us to talk about any concerns.

• Caregiver requirement guidelines

  We may require that you come with a caregiver who provides 1-on-1 support if you:

  • Need help with going to the bathroom or taking medicine
  • Have challenging behaviors that may pose a risk of harm to self, others or property
  • Have a history of running away or wandering off
  • Need someone else’s hands to help complete a movement

  At any time, we may ask you to start bringing a caregiver who provides 1-on-1 support for challenging behaviors or needs that we cannot meet with our current staffing level.

  To make sure participants gain the most from classes, we expect caregivers to review, sign and follow our Caregiver Code of Conduct (PDF).

• Attendance

  Our classes are designed to build on skills learned each week and to promote social connections among a set group of peers. To get the full benefit, it is important for you to come to class as often as you can. Please read our attendance policy.