Special Education & Habilitation Services

Holy Angels works collaboratively with the local education agency to provide special education services to children ages three through twenty-one, in their supportive residential environment. A unique working relationship with Gaston County Schools allows for curricular and administrative support to special educators. Each student's Individual Education Plan (IEP) is carefully tailored to develop skills in the following curricular areas: expressive communication, receptive communication, personal/home management, community skills and vocational skills. Special Education staff address complex needs of students through consultation and support from clinicians in the areas of nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychology, speech and language pathology, social work and dietary/nutrition.

Special emphasis is placed on development of each student's ability to communicate in non-traditional methods such as non-verbal communicative signals or through the use of electronic devices. These devices range from the most simple, single communication to one with multiple choices to a laptop computer with voice software. Avenues of accessibility are determined and provided through the use of adaptive devices that allow students to control equipment and toys, thus enhancing a student's quality of life.

Many learning opportunities involve sensory stimulation. At Holy Angels we have a large number of students showing deficits in sensory perception and processing. Special education services at Holy Angels are carefully monitored by the North Carolina Public Schools. Special training and support is provided to special education staff through a variety of sources in order to meet the needs of the students we serve.