Afterschool special education program opens

There's long been a need for an afterschool special needs program that provides not only supervision but also productive skills development. The Achievement Center for Exceptional Students hopes to blend a relaxed environment with a functional life skills and social skills curriculum.

The center's founder, Barbara Hofer, is a special education teacher in Las Virgenes Unified School District and has been working with moderatelyto severely-disabled students between the ages of 13 and 22 for seven years.

"Students with developmental delays, including autism and Asperger's syndrome, need reteaching and reinforcement in certain areas in order to obtain skill mastery. These students need these skills, especially in the social arena, in order to help them

gain confidence and acceptance in typical settings," Hofer said. "Our tutoring center will directly address these areas."

The center's goal is to provide students with a more fulfilling social life outside the classroom.

"The center will give schoolage students a place to establish friendships, learn and have a good time after the school day has ended," said Hofer.

In addition to social skills, the curriculum has a physical fitness component that deals with nutrition, strength and flexibility.

The final portion of the program provides independent living skills, in which students will be allowed to explore vocational skills, have community experiences, and engage in practical, functional tasks in a safe, supervised environment.

Transportation from local school campuses will be provided to the students. High school student volunteers will assist the center's staff.

Scheduled to begin offering classes this fall, the center will be

open weekdays from 3 to 7 p.m., with extended hours offered on school holidays.

All school age special needs students may be eligible for the program.

The program is seeking charitable donations and state funding to help offset tuition costs.

The center is off Chesebro Road in Agoura Hills. Students from all local cities are eligible to attend.

For more information, call (818) 874-1455.