Our Neurodiverse School’s Pioneering Approach to Community Engagement

CUMBERLAND CARES: A New Initiative from Classroom to Community

Cumberland Academy of Georgia, an innovative school in Sandy Springs, Georgia is the beacon of inclusion and empowerment where education goes beyond the conventional to embrace neurodiverse students. What sets this school apart is not just its commitment to the education of neuro divergent students with diverse abilities, but its unique focus on community engagement.

Founded on the belief that education is a collaborative effort that extends beyond the school walls, Cumberland has pioneered a model that places community engagement as an essential part of its mission. From the students to the staff, everyone at the school is actively involved in fostering connections and building bridges with the broader community through our new Friday “Cumberland Cares” initiative. 

Promoting Special Needs Inclusion Through Engagement

Community partnerships are a vital aspect of the school’s engagement strategy. Cumberland actively collaborates with local businesses, organizations, and volunteers to create inclusive programs that benefit both the students and the community at large. This not only provides students with valuable real-world experiences but also helps break down societal barriers and misconceptions about special needs education.

Since this school year has started, our students have had volunteer and educational engagements with: 

  • Habitat for Humanity
  • The Atlanta Food Bank
  • Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy
  • The Chattahoochee Nature Center
  • Backpack Buddies of Metro Atlanta
  • Blue Heron Nature Preserve
  • Backpack Buddies of Metro Atlanta

To promote awareness and understanding, Cumberland has also implemented outreach programs. Teachers and students participate in workshops, seminars, and awareness campaigns to educate the community about the diverse abilities of the students and the importance of an inclusive education. By fostering understanding, the school aims to create a more supportive and accepting community for everyone.

One of the most inspiring aspects of Cumberland’s community engagement is its commitment to service learning. Students are actively involved in community service projects that not only contribute positively to the community but also instill a sense of purpose and fulfillment. From environmental initiatives to supporting local charities, these projects empower students to make a difference and become active contributors to society.

As we celebrate our student’s achievements at Cumberland, it becomes evident that their approach to community engagement is not just a strategy—it’s a […]

By |2024-03-13T13:53:04+00:00March 13th, 2024|News|0 Comments

Specialized Education for Students with High-Functioning Autism, ADHD, and Learning Differences

When Debbi and Matthew Scarborough attempted to find a school for their
son in 2007, there were no viable options in the Atlanta area for an excellenteducational program serving students with high-functioning autism, ADHD, and learning differences. So, they started Cumberland Academy of Georgia with one teacher and three students. 

Since then, Cumberland has grown to over 100 students with an exciting and challenging curriculum that recognizes the educational needs of each student. We respect the learning diversity of each student.  This is done through cooperative learning and active hands-on techniques that are integrated into all subject areas along with co-curricular activities.  Our best practices curriculum infuses the creative arts as well as problem-solving, social skills, critical thinking, and decision-making skills. We understand and appreciate the unique perspectives of neurodiverse students in order to provide them with the support and accommodations they need. 

One prominent characteristic of neurodivergent students is sensory sensitivity. These children may have heightened or diminished sensitivity to various sensory stimuli such as light, sound, touch, taste, and smell. What may seem insignificant or unnoticeable to others can be overwhelming and distressing to them. For instance, fluorescent lighting or background noises in a classroom setting might be unbearable for some autistic children, affecting their ability to concentrate or engage in learning activities.  Our faculty, staff, and counselors consider the individual needs of our students as they plan for each lesson.

Moreover, neurodivergent children may experience difficulties in processing and integrating sensory information. They might focus intensely on specific details, perceiving the world in a highly detailed, analytical manner. This attention to detail can be an asset in certain contexts, such as problem-solving or pattern recognition, but it may also make it challenging to perceive the “bigger picture” or understand social cues that rely on subtle nuances.

Additionally, our neurodivergent students may experience challenges in understanding and interpreting social cues and non-verbal communication. Facial expressions, gestures, and body language, which come naturally to many neurotypical individuals, can be confusing or ambiguous to autistic children. This can lead to difficulties in recognizing and responding appropriately to others’ emotions or intentions, affecting their social interactions and relationships. Our faculty knows this each day and takes this into account as another piece of our curriculum to help grow our students’ social awareness.

By |2024-03-13T13:50:53+00:00October 2nd, 2023|News|0 Comments

Which Learning Style is Suitable For Kids With ADHD?

Many children have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This is a mental health disorder in which a child has impulsive behavioral patterns and is hyperactive. Children with ADHD find it difficult to focus or concentrate on a single item or task for a long time. They don’t sit still in one place and are often disruptive in class. Social skills are sometimes difficult to learn, and as students with ADHD mature, other children can be unkind or even bully these unique children. In some cases, ADHD can be managed in childhood, however, for most people, ADHD challenges continue well into adulthood.

Difficulty in learning for kids suffering from ADHD

Kids with ADHD struggle with certain learning problems specific to this condition. Because they cannot pay attention and concentrate for a long time, they find it hard to retain what they have learned, and it is often hard for them to succeed in a traditional classroom. To help these unique learners there are specific schools that help students fill in the gaps in their learning process. Experienced Teachers who have worked with these special children help to create a learning environment conducive to each student’s learning style. Students gain knowledge as well as self-confidence in their abilities once they are in a positive learning environment.

In schools for kids with learning challenges, teachers study the strengths and weaknesses of children and devise individualized learning plans for each student. Classrooms are centered on the students learning style in effort to achieve success. This focused attention ensures that the child learns in the way in which he is most comfortable. Expert and experienced ADHD teachers and coaches agree that there are three main learning styles of children suffering from ADHD. Specialized schools should appeal to each learning style to be successful.

Popular learning styles with children suffering from ADHD

Though additional learning styles exist for children challenged by ADHD, some of the most common ones are as follows:

  • Auditory
  • Visual
  • Kinesthetic

Auditory learners – Auditory learners are those who can learn and retain the learned data and information when they hear it spoken to them. Such learners follow voice speed, tone, inflection, and volume as well as body language in-class lectures and class discussions. Recording classroom lectures works excellently for these students so that they don’t have to worry about taking notes to remember what was taught. With recorded lectures, the student can replay the discussions and listen to parts again and […]

By |2024-03-13T13:51:05+00:00October 24th, 2020|News|0 Comments

Cumberland Academy of Georgia Enhances Its Academic and Campus Experience for Students

This summer Cumberland Academy of Georgia is working on several campus projects and additions to better the learning environment and experience for students. Cumberland is preparing to welcome students to a new academic experience for the 2019-2020 school year.

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By |2019-07-24T20:38:53+00:00July 19th, 2019|News|0 Comments
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