About Us

Mission & Philosophy

The mission of Heartland Academy is to prepare students on the autism spectrum to lead productive and successful lives by providing them a safe and positive academic and social environment that focuses on individual goals.

Goals

To achieve the goals of our mission, each student will be evaluated individually. Through this process the following areas will be addressed and procedures implemented by the teaching staff on a daily basis. Continual education of teachers, involvement of doctors and therapists and a committed partnership with students and parents will help us to implement this comprehensive educational and therapeutic program.

Academics

Heartland Academy Students

Use learned skills to set goals in each of the academic areas. Use available technology to assist in the learning process.  The curriculum will parallel the State of Oklahoma curriculum with modifications to meet the individual’s needs.

  • Cognitive – Problem solving, perspective taking, theory of mind.
  • Organizational and Work Skills – Attention to task, finishing tasks, switching tasks, working independently, managing materials, error correction, asking for help, planning long-term projects.
  • Motor and Sensory Skills – Using adaptive equipment and skills effectively, utilizing sensory strategies, developing keyboarding skills and using adaptive tools effectively.
  • Expanding Restricted Interests – Increase flexibility, tolerate changes in schedules and activities, and increase length of time for non-preferred subjects, accepting mistakes of self and others.

Social Skills

Use learned skills to build a foundation for lifelong success in developing strong, satisfying interpersonal relationships with all individuals.

  • Affective – Understanding emotions, body language and understanding facial expressions.
  • Behavioral – Initiating social situations and responding to another person’s initiation. Maintaining friendships and conversations.
  • Communication – Understanding and using nonverbal communication, using verbalizations to appropriately communicate. Pragmatic language, i.e. beginning and ending conversations.  Using maintenance topics.
  • Self-Regulation – Learning and using relaxation techniques and other strategies for self-regulation.  

Heartland Academy admits students of any race, color, national origin, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.

It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.