Life Academy better fit for special needs students
East Peoria, Ill. — When Sandy Valentine’s autistic son was 20 months old, doctors told the family that he would never be a functioning person.
“We had a doctor tell us to put him in a home. We’re glad we didn’t listen to him,” she said of her now 19-year-old son Jack Valentine. “He’s come a long way.”
Jack Valentine, who is non-verbal — a trait of 50 percent of cases of autism — is one of eight students in East Peoria Community High School’s Life Academy program for students 18 to 22 with an Individual Education Plan.
His mother credits much of his success to his three years in the program.
“It’s been really good for him,” she said. “He has become a functional member of the community. He’s a good kid. He’s easygoing and funny.”
Having revamped the Life Academy three years ago, the students are now giving back to the community they are a part of while gaining independence in the process.
Each week, they can be seen shopping at a grocery store, cleaning churches, volunteering at various organizations, among many other activities.
Revamping Life Academy
Erika Ridge, Life Academy teacher for the last eight years, said the program was transformed for one main reason — once the students participated in graduation ceremonies and came back to the Life Academy, it was almost as if they were just repeating their high school experience all over again.
“I really wanted to see something different for them,” Ridge said, adding she became inspired by transitional programs that schools were doing near Chicago. “The school said go for it, and we came up with a plan. ... The parents were so behind us and enthusiastic.”
The program includes four elements: “extensive community integration,” meaning they are out in the community three to four times a week; “functional academics,” or teaching everyday life skills like reading a recipe or paying for things in a store; “vocational development,” exposing them to different employment options; and a “parent component,” which includes helping parents make connections with various adult service organizations.
“It’s about working on those real life skills and doing it in an environment that makes sense,” she said.
In action
An example of one of these environments was Kroger in East Peoria, where the students could be seen Thursday morning picking out groceries for a lunch they were soon going to prepare.
“What are we looking for today?” she asked the students, one by one showing them a picture on a card of various grocery items.
“Buns,” said a student.
“Where are we going to find those buns?” she asked, again holding up pictures, but this time of the various aisles in the store.
Within a half hour the students had located all of the items they needed with the assistance of Ridge and her two aides.
“It really depends on what level they are at,” she said. “Some of them need pictures.”
Next, the group made their way in the Raider bus to the Fondulac Administration Building to cook.
Half of the group did an activity while the other half began cooking.
When asked what their favorite part of the class was, Tito Ouimet, 20, said “doing the dishes.”
Tyler Troyer, 19, said “patting the hamburgers.”
Ridge said the hands-on experience is the most important part of it all.
“Just because they can sit around a classroom table and count money, doesn’t mean they can do it at a store because everything is different. There’s people standing behind you. There’s this cashier. There’s lights, there’s sounds. There’s all these different things. It really prepares them more for what they’re really going to encounter.”
The Benefits
Sandy Valentine said her son now loves to shop with her.
“He likes to go to the store and touch things. He’s comfortable now and knows the routine,” she said. “I don’t think he’ll ever live alone, but he might live in a group home and do some of these things he’s learned.”
Other parents are happy with their children’s success, as well.
Gina Hogsett, mother of Sara Williams, 20, who has Down Syndrome, said the program has “helped tremendously.”
“She’s more active and willing to participate with kids. She’s talking more this year,” said Hogsett, adding she has learned to separate her laundry and help with the dishes.
“Her whole overall attitude is better,” she said. “Mrs. Ridge is the best person. She’s an asset, and I hope we don’t ever lose her.”
Principal Paul Whittington said Ridge was the brainchild behind every aspect of the program.
“She has a complete passion for these kids. She does a marvelous job,” he said. “Certainly you can see the benefits by just looking into these young adult’s faces.”
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