The Special Education staff at Cardinal Forest Elementary School is comprised of Learning Disabilities and Autism Teachers, who are supported by related service providers, (Speech and Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Adaptive Physical Education Teacher, and Physical Therapist). We are a resource for teachers and parents and help provide an understanding of the Special Education programs, practices and procedures. We provide support for our identified studednts' instructional programs by:

• Identifying instructional strategies for differentiation to address student's specific needs
• Facilitating accommodations provided as outlined in the student's IEP
• Providing specialized programs to meet individual student needs
• Promoting student independence
• Supporting teacher collaboration across disciplines, programs, and grade levels
• Assisting school staff in analyzing student data
• Facilitating the development of scheduling models that support effective instruction and inclusive practices
• Providing guidance regarding Virginia State Assessment options (SOL, VGLA, and VAAP)

Our Autism Program is one of the 80 enhanced elementary autism sites in Fairfax County. As an enhanced autism program we have almost a 2:1 staff to student ratio and use the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to systematically teach skills and modify student behaviors. Our program serves children from the Cardinal Forest Community.  Autism Partnership provides staff training throughout the county. For more information about ABA and Autism Partnership please click on the links to the right side of this page.