Orchid Montessori Center for Inclusive Education

The Orchid Montessori Center for Inclusive Education is a collaboration between Orchid Montessori School, Access Speech and Allied Therapies, and Autism Included. We offer a variety of classes and drop-in groups for parents and children in a neurodiversity-positive setting. Our goal is to be a resource and a safe space for families.

This page describes our joint outreach programming. If you would like to learn more about our other initiatives, please click on one of the following links:

Program and Class Descriptions

Here is a list of our outreach programming for children ages 2.5 – 6 years.

Some programs are free, and our fee-based programming is offered on a sliding-scale fee structure, with rates ranging from $35 to $50 for each two-hour session depending on family income.

If you would like to register for one of our programs or complete an application for reduced class fees, please complete this registration form contact us at [email protected].

Montessori Mornings

These drop-in classes will allow children to explore the Montessori environment and materials. They will also provide the opportunity to “practice” attending school and to establish trusting relationships with adults and peers in a low-stress environment.

Weekly Classes

Our afternoon classes will allow students the opportunity to explore their interests within the fields of art, music, and STEM. Staff members will come prepared with some open-ended activity choices at each session, but in the spirit of Montessori education, we will follow the interests of the children, and all activities will be optional!

Inclusive Play Groups

Join us on the first Saturday morning of each month from 9:30 to 11:30 am for an inclusive play group for all ages! We will provide some open-ended activities and materials every week. This is a great way to meet other like-minded families and to learn more about supporting language development at home!

For Families and Caregivers (Coming Soon!)

Click here to learn more about our programming for parents and caregivers, to express interest in joining one of our classes, or to join our mailing list!

Free Parent Support Groups

Family Social Events

More Than Words® Course for Caregivers

Why Montessori Inclusion?

In the Montessori classroom, all students follow an individualized plan of education.

At the heart of Montessori philosophy is the idea that we must “follow the child.” As educators and therapists, we feel that the Montessori environment is the ideal setting for an inclusion program for a number of reasons.
  • Montessori guides are trained to follow each student down their unique developmental path. For example, if a child has a natural gift for mathematics but requires support in literacy or social development, we can make a unique educational plan that provides both support and challenge as needed.
  • The prepared environment, a fundamental piece of Montessori philosophy, is well aligned with the principles of Universal Design for Learning. If a space is well-equipped to meet the needs of all learners, everyone is more likely to thrive. Our classroom will include embedded supports that will enrich language and literacy development for all children.
  • A multi-aged inclusion program will provide all children with the opportunity to serve as both leaders and followers, both role models and observers, and both teachers and students.

Participation in an inclusion program benefits all children.

Research shows that participation in an inclusion program has many benefits for all children, helping them to develop patience, empathy, and an appreciation for each child’s unique gifts and challenges.

 

Click on this link for the text of a study on the benefits of inclusion if you’d like to learn more:  
1