Page 4 - Demo

Welcome to “Home Base” at Southwest Middle
Southwest Middle School in Palm Bay has established the first-of-its kind learning strategies classroom to address the needs of students with ASD. It’s called “Home Base” and like in the game of tag it’s a safe place where a student can come and reset and then get back to their academic day.
Students who are part of Home Base receive academic support, but also a social personal class where they learn about understanding the expectation of social interactions, seeing others perspectives and gain emotional regulation skills. These classes are taught by a certified special education teacher, Deanna Irwin, with support from an instructional assistant, Dale Daley.
Many students with ASD enter middle school with discipline plans and behavioral accommodations. The intention is that if you address the students’ core needs, these issues tend to disappear, and some students will no longer require these plans and interventions.
Currently, the Home Base classroom sees six 7th and 8th graders on a daily basis. Students rotate for core classes together with their peers, with support as needed, and may break for more independent academics or electives. They typically attend the Home Base classroom for one class period of social personal class. This is often a time to reflect and reset to be ready for the rest of their day.
Students are welcome to drop in anytime they’re feeling overwhelmed, upset, or in need of additional support with homework or problem solving. Ms. Irwin and Mrs. Dale are there to help them tackle the daily challenges of being a middle schooler, to foster and encourage independence. They do this while working on social skills, such as raising their hand in class, knowing when to ask a question, or conversations regarding friendships, expectations of school, as well as emotional regulation.
Ms. Irwin keeps in constant contact with the students’ teachers and parents. She knows all their schedules, their interests and how they’re doing academically. She is extraordinarily patient, and understanding. She can engage
at their level and yet still commands their respect. The students listen and respond to her, because they know she is there to help them, but more importantly, to hear them.
“You can’t tell these kids apart from their peers,” says Southwest Principal Ron Shaw. “We’re helping them to assimilate to the middle school just like everyone else.”
As a result of Southwest’s proactive approach to providing flexible learning environments that can accommodate individual learning differences, referrals have decreased significantly. And while Home Base is primarily for students with ASD and other related exceptionalities, general education students will sometimes pay a
visit for help coping with similar issues.
What makes Home Base so unique is that it is addressing the needs of students with ASD holistically. Core teachers (Math, English, Social studies and Science) have received special training to understand these students’ needs.
Ms. Irwin and Mrs. Dale attend core classes in support of these students. When overwhelmed students can travel back to the Home Base classroom to receive support and regroup.
“Home Base is showing that if students with ASD receive needed supports in a structured and comprehensive way, they will be more successful,” says Dietrich Browne, resource teacher, BPS Autism Program Services. “If we meet their needs in inclusive classrooms, they
will be more able to navigate their world and really start to shine.”
Teachers now call Ms. Irwin first when problems arise with a student, so she can help mitigate and deescalate the situation, before they become more anxious or lash out.