The goals of MSEC's Intensive Special Needs programs are to provide comprehensive services to students with moderate to intensive physical and developmental disabilities, and to assure that each student has equal access to the general education environment. The program serves students whose disabilities significantly impact their educational performance in the general education classroom. Services are provided in classrooms located in public school buildings. This allows for full access to integration opportunities to the extent their abilities permit.

MSEC Intensive Special Needs programs include:

• Intensive Primary Class (Ages 5-9/Grades K-4)
• Intensive Middle School (Ages 10-14/Grades 6-8)
• Life Skills (Ages 14-22/Grades 9-12+)

Intensive Primary Class
The Primary Class is a substantially separate classroom where the students work in curriculum areas that focus on communication, academics, physical activities, computer skills, life skills, and introductory vocational activities. Students are integrated for appropriate school-wide activities. Typical students volunteer their time as peer tutors in the areas of English language arts, mathematics and social skills. The students are provided an integrated education approach with a team of assistant teachers and licensed and certified special education teachers, speech/language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists (as needed), and music therapists.

• Age/Grade Range:
  Ages 5 - 9/Grades K - 4
• Location:
  Tyngsboro Elementary School, 205 Westford Road, Tyngsboro
• Hours:
  8:30 am - 2:30 pm, Monday thru Friday
• School Year:
  August through June plus a 6-week summer program
• Additional Services:
  Speech, physical, and occupational therapies, behavioral consultation, augmentative communication services, and nursing services are provided as needed in each classroom.
• Referral Process/Contact:
  Initial contact from SPED Director, followed by referral packet sent to:
  Intensive Special Needs Program Manager
  William H. Flaherty Education Center
  40 Brick Kiln Road
  Chelmsford, MA 01824
  978-459-1652
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Intensive Middle School
Students in these classrooms participate in academic, domestic, vocational, community and recreational activities. Computers and assistive technology are used to improve communication as well as cognition. Students are integrated with typical peers in a variety of settings. The students are provided an integrated education approach with a team of assistant teachers and licensed and certified special education teachers, speech/language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists (as needed), and music therapists.

• Age/Grade Range:
  Ages 10 - 14/Grades 6 - 8
• Location:
  Marshall Middle School, 17 Floyd Street, Billerica
  & Nissitissit Middle School, 33 Chace Avenue, Pepperell
• Hours:
  Marshall Middle School - 8:30 am - 2:30 pm, Monday through Friday
  Nissitissit Middle School - 8:45 am - 2:45 pm, Monday through Friday
• School Year:
  August through June, plus 6-week summer program
• Additional Services:
  Speech, physical, and occupational therapies, behavioral consultation, augmentative communication services, and nursing services are provided as needed in each classroom.
• Referral Process/Contact:
  Initial contact from SPED Director, followed by referral packet sent to:
  Intensive Special Needs Program Manager
  William H. Flaherty Education Center
  40 Brick Kiln Road
  Chelmsford, MA 01824
  978-459-1652
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Life Skills
The curriculum in this classroom addresses the standards of the Massachusetts Frameworks as they relate to functional life skills. An emphasis is placed on daily living activities, classroom projects, and community outings. The students interact with typical peers throughout the day, using integration and reverse integration strategies. The students are provided an integrated education approach with a team of assistant teachers and licensed and certified special education teachers, speech/language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists (as needed), and music therapists.

• Age/Grade Range:
  Ages 14 - 22/Grades 9 -12+
• Location:
  Groton-Dunstable Regional High School, 703 Chicopee Row, Groton, MA
• Hours:
  8:00 am - 2:00 pm, Monday through Friday
• School Year:
  September through June, plus 6-week summer program
• Additional Services:
  Speech, physical, and occupational therapies, behavioral consultation, augmentative communication services, and nursing services are provided as needed in each classroom.
• Referral Process/Contact:
  Initial contact from SPED Director, followed by referral packet sent to:
  Intensive Special Needs Program Manager
  William H. Flaherty Education Center
  40 Brick Kiln Road
  Chelmsford, MA 01824
  978-459-1652
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