The Lionheart program is founded on the Developmental Individual Difference Relationship-based model of Stanley I. Greenspan, M.D. and Serena Wieder, Ph.D. (For more detailed information on the DIR Model, please click here.)

Sensory Integration theory, as developed by Jane Ayers, is embedded throughout the day. Strategies and methods from Lindamood-Bell and Wilson, as well as other innovative and creative learning approaches, are incorporated as needed for each individual child.

The school’s main objective is to extend a child’s learning environment - from school to home to other settings where nurturing adults maintain a vested interest. A child who has meaningful and important relationships throughout life will naturally initiate academic skills. Hence, a stimulating and loving environment will motivate and allow children to develop interactions, ultimately leading to abstract, logical and creative thinking.

We stress the importance of addressing the sensory underpinnings of a child’s developmental difficulties. At Lionheart we look at the pyramid of development, and work on gaps that may exist, to enable each child to consolidate for learning the foundation to move forward. We recognize that affect is a strong motivating factor for a child’s desire to interact, communicate, think and learn – affect connects an individual’s ideas or intents to actions. At more advanced developmental and cognitive levels, affect generates specific interest, passions and competencies and becomes the driving force that leads to successful learning.

Lionheart also features group activities and a recreation program, which includes such outings as swimming, horseback riding and hiking. On these excursions, the students learn to develop friendships, trust, social skills and self-esteem. It also sets a different stage to practice intentional social communicative skills and work on sensory integration issues.