ICPC Special Needs School is a program that educates and caters to children with special needs in a safe and welcoming environment. Planting the seed of love for Allah and Islam and love for the Masjid.

At the Special Needs school, we use therapeutic methods unique for each and every student to make sure what we teach stays in their long-term memory. Utilizing sight words and the multiplication table to help and stay with the students for life. All students learning and memorizing will be adjusted according to each student’s abilities. There will be many one-on-one sessions with students and teachers to ensure that they are learning the best they can.

ICPC Special Needs is partnering with Muslims Understanding and Helping Special Education Needs (MUHSEN) in their efforts to help families with Special Needs. We want to know the needs of the families i our community. Please fill out the Needs Assessment Survey.

We use therapeutic methods to make sure what we teach stays in their long-term memory. Learning and memorizing will be adjusted according to each student’s abilities. We want to make sure no students are being held back nor rushed into learning things they are not ready for. Each student has their own pace, and we work hard to understand each student’s ability.

We use fun approaches to reaffirm everything each student learns each day such as: Monthly Themes, Duaa of the week, Hadith of the week. We also utilize the simple but useful techniques of memorization for all subjects and areas taught. Teaching memorization needs to be adjusted to fit each student’s speaking ability. We work with all learning styles such as: Visual, Auditory, Social, Physical/Sensory, Verbal

The Special Needs School is held every Saturday from 10:00AM-2:00PM at ICPC Paterson.

Starting Date: September 6th

End Date: June 13th

Date and Time: Every Saturday from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm

Program Fees: $125 per month

Age Group: 4-21 years old

Sibling discount: 5% off

Location: ICPC-Paterson

ICPC strives towards creating a stigma-free society while incorporating the principles of the Quran and Sunnah in its actions when interacting with children with special needs in the community. This approach reflects a commitment to inclusivity and compassion, which are essential values in Islam. This program will be located in ICPC Paterson.

Curriculum:

To ensure that, what we teach in the Special Needs Program is retained in our students’ long-term memory, we employ therapeutic techniques unique to each student. Every student’s learning and memorization is modified in accordance with their skills. We will provide one-on-one sessions to ensure that each child is learning to the best of their ability.

Every session offered in the Special Needs Program incorporates occupational, physical, and speech therapy. The following are some examples of teaching styles to meet each student’s needs:

• Visual Learning:
  • Use visual aids such as pictures, charts, and diagrams to illustrate key concepts.
  • Create visual schedules or timetables to help students understand the lesson’s structure.
  • Incorporate videos, animations, or slideshows to supplement your teaching.

• Auditory Learning:
  • Provide clear verbal explanations and instructions.
  • Use storytelling, songs, and rhymes to engage students through auditory stimulation.
  • Encourage discussions and group conversations, allowing students to practice their speech skills in a supportive environment.
• Tactile Learning:
  • Use hands-on activities and manipulatives to reinforce learning.
  • Allow students to touch and interact with objects related to the lesson.
  • Incorporate sensory activities that engage the sense of touch, like textured materials or sensory bins.
• Occupational Therapy Integration:
  • Collaborate with occupational therapists to identify activities that can enhance fine motor skills.
  • Include exercises or games that promote hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
  • Modify lesson materials to accommodate students’ specific occupational therapy needs.
• Physical Therapy Integration:
  • Work with physical therapists to design activities that improve gross motor skills.
  • Include movement-based exercises or games to keep students active and engaged.
  • Ensure that your learning environment is accessible and safe for all students.
• Speech Therapy Integration:
  • Coordinate with speech therapists to incorporate exercises that target speech and language development.
  • Use speech-friendly activities like pronunciation drills or interactive games.
  • Encourage students to express themselves verbally in a supportive and patient manner.

This year, our lesson plans will include a Dua and a Hadith of the week. A monthly theme that focuses on a set of words, letters, Prophets, and nasheeds for each child. We begin our Quranic memorization with the end of Juz Amma, Ayat Al-Kursi, and progress to additional Surahs

Our Islamic Studies curriculum focuses on our beliefs, our manners, and our characteristics as Muslims. We teach our students about Salah and provide a step-by-step explanation of how to perform Salah, including the physical movements and recitations. Students learn about Wudu, the proper method of performing Wudu, and its significance in preparing for Salah. We use stories to highlight the importance of cleanliness and purification in Islam. We help students develop a deep love and connection with Allah SWT by sharing stories that emphasize His mercy, guidance, and love for His creation. We incorporate stories from the Quran and stories of our Prophets to serve as powerful examples and sources of inspiration for our students.

Remember that instilling love for Allah and Islam is a gradual process. It requires patience, consistency, and a nurturing environment. By implementing the above strategies, we can create a program that helps students build a strong connection with their faith and the Masjid while also fostering a love for learning about Islam.