Class Descriptions

NOTE: Not all classes listed below are offered each term. Please see the most current course calendar to see what classes are currently being offered. 

  • Book Break Club
    The "Book Break Club" provides an opportunity for students and staff to engage and enjoy a variety of book genres and literary activities that promote the love of reading.

    Budgeting Lab
    The Budgeting Lab allows students who need extra support in creating or managing their money to continue setting goals and reviewing skills used in budgeting. In this lab, students will work on their budgets as they prepare to eventually become independent with their personal finances. Students will receive teacher guidance as needed. 

    Budgeting Systems
    Students will learn beginning budgeting skills and, after exploring different ways to budget money, choose a system to use for their personal finances. Through setting goals and reflecting on past and future experiences with money, students will begin to create their own systems for managing their money, paying their bills, and saving a portion of their earnings. By creating these systems, students will learn how to create and keep good habits within their budget. 

    Car Maintenance
    Students will learn the basic information need to care for their vehicles.

    Cleaning 1
    Students will learn why good cleaning and hygiene systems keep them healthy and how to create and practice them.

    Cleaning Lab
    Students with some independence in cleaning skills and needing support in time/task management skills will work both independently and with a Cleaning specialist to start creating a system for including cleaning into their weekly schedules.

    Cooking 1
    Students will learn:

    • Kitchen knowledge basics: appliances, pans and dishes, cooking utensils, measurements and conversions.

    • Kitchen safety: heat, burns, fire, sanitation, knife wounds and first aid.

    • Food safety: proper heating/cooling of food and food storage.

    • How to read, follow and prepare a recipe.

    • How to cook basic recipes: 4 breakfast, 4 lunch, 6 dinner, 4 snack/dessert.

    • How to create food without a recipe.

    • How to create a shopping list based off of recipe research.

    • Food is provided by SVA. 


    Cooking 2
    Students will practice:

    • Researching recipes and identifying ingredients for them (including what one needs to purchase) - 13 recipes

    • Identifying cook and prep times for a recipe - 13 recipes

    • Writing a shopping list on a budget - 13 lists

    • Following and preparing a recipe - 13 recipes

    • Using knowledge of kitchen vocabulary, units of measurement, kitchen safety, kitchen sanitation, food safety and knife safety.

    • Making food without a recipe (if desired)

    • Food is provided by Student. Student must prove fund requirement of $75 to enter class.


    Craft Club
    Students will focus on learning new craft skills by choosing one or more of the following: knitted hats and scarves, crochet hot pads and blankets, easy cross-stitching patterns, friendship bracelets, anklets, and necklaces, demonstrating their artwork on paper for placemats for Meals on Wheels, and any other craft they which to bring.  Eventually, students will use their skills to make crafts they can donate to the community. 

    Culture Appreciation Club
    A club dedicated to spreading awareness, understanding, and appreciation of a variety of countries and their people, history, art, music, food, and languages.

    Daily Living Check-in
    Daily check-in to assess student hygiene, sleep and scheduling habits to build executive functioning skills.

    Education Program 101
    This prep phase class gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their academic abilities while getting acquainted with the Education Specialists. Students will be assessed on various academic skills in the areas of math, reading, writing, and problem solving. Assessments may be in form of informal or formal assessments as well as assignments and activities. The information gathered in this class will help teachers to prescriptively recommend classes to align with the students' abilities and aspirations.

    Education & Career Exploration
    New students will complete educational assessments and explore their educational options. Guest speakers, tours, lectures, and online activities will be used to help each student clarify the educational/career outcome(s) they would like to pursue while at ScenicView and beyond.

    Education Lab
    The Educational Lab allows students whose schedules don't permit them to attend the regular Math Lab, Financial Literacy, and Typing classes to continue working on these academic goals during this lab. Education Lab may also allow students structured time to work on outside education courses.

    Functional Writing
    Students will master the fundamentals of writing while applying those skills to functional, everyday uses to help them communicate effectively.

    Internet Safety
    Students will learn the basics of navigating the internet safely.

    Live 101
    Students will get an orientation to Living in the Resident Building, we will prepare them for Live classes and assess their current skills and needs in each area.

    ​Math Lab
    Math Lab is designed to help students learn basic math, post-secondary math and reading strategies to meet their individual goals.  Math Lab uses ACT WorkKeys Curriculum, EdReady and other online sites, the SRA program, textbooks, and worksheets to help students acquire functional skills and/or prepare for or participate in vocational or advanced education courses. Students progress at their own pace with teacher assistance as needed.  

    Meal Planning
    Students will develop and implement:

    • A personal menu with 35 options

    • An inventory list for necessary food ingredients that covers all of the personal menu options

    • A personalized meal planning system

    • Students will be supported and coached as their meal punch card at SVA is gradually reduced."


    Principles of Apartment Living
    This course prepares students to live independently in an apartment.  Students receive hands-on training in searching and applying for apartments.  Topics include:  basic apartment maintenance, inspections, community safety, supplies needed, roommate/landlord relationships, understanding the ADA and requesting accommodations, self-awareness and self-advocacy in housing related situations, the moving process and planning for my needs after ScenicView.  Students should take this course BEFORE moving to a ScenicView apartment or moving off-campus.  Upon course completion students will feel empowered with the skills to navigate a move into the community.

    Shopping Class
    Students will receive instruction and support for:

    • Navigating and finding items in a grocery store

    • Price comparison

    • Using regular and self checkouts

    • Transportation to the store

    • Transitioning to independent shopping


    Transition into the Community
    This course is for students who live off-campus, or will be moving off campus within the term. The purpose of the class is to reinforce residential and leisure skills learned at ScenicView to ensure that they are translating into the student's off-campus environment. Students will be developing systems for navigating their world beyond ScenicView. Skills taught include: reading and understanding my lease, practicing safety in the community, self-advocacy, and self-determination. Additionally students will learn to create social experiences and community leisure activities, as well as navigate new relationships such as; roommate relationships, neighborly relationships, and tenant/landlord relationships.

    Transportation Planning
    Students will learn the importance behind planning for public transportation trips and become independent in this area.
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    Typing
    Students will start at their current level (Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced) and improve their typing skills by learning key position, accurate finger placement and proper techniques for greater accuracy and speed.  Individuals will progress at their own pace working on problem keys and customized lesson using an online typing program called "typing.com".  Students can practice with educational typing games and track their progress with daily typing tests.

    We're Going Places
    This class focuses on independence within transportation. Students will be required to attain a bus pass, understand each of the main bus routes they will be taking in the future, learn how to effectively pull the cord, travel safely and maintain positive bus behavior. Upon course completion, students will feel confident in their ability to independently navigate the community. Students that are a good fit for this class are new students and students who are new to public transit. Independence in transportation is an essential building block in transitioning away from ScenicView and into the community.​

  • Job Finders Lab
    This course is structured as a lab type setting which implies a proven level of work maturity for job readiness. As such, it is expected that the student is prepared to take an active lead role in his/her job search effort. Students will use computer-based organizational tools as a method to track their current progress in the overall search for community employment.

    Prerequisites:

    Class Description: "This course is structured as a lab type setting which implies a proven level of work maturity for job readiness. As such, it is expected that the student is prepared to take an active lead role in his/her job search effort. Students will use computer-based organizational tools as a method to track their current progress in the overall search for community employment.

    Prerequisites:

    1. Proven mastery of internship skills required for job placement (residential students only). 

    2. Endorsement from Vocational Specialist (residential students only).

    3. The student will have completed a general work history as a scaffolding to resume development. 

    4. The student will possess basic computer skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, keyboarding, internet search engines) as well as basic writing skills (ability to clearly fill out job application, a good sense of proper spelling, punctuation, and grammar).

    5. The student will demonstrate basic organizational skills (ability to manage emails, phone messages, accounts, usernames, passwords, organizational phone apps and/or tools).​

  • Activities Planning 1
    Students will learn how to plan interactive activities in their free time that they could use on a daily basis. Planning will include time management, budgeting, and inviting friends. 

    Activities Planning 2
    Students will learn how to carry out activity plans. They will develop systems for their leisure plans and gain skills to manage change within their free time. They will practice running activities in class and for all SVA students in the evenings.

    Basics of Nutrition
    Students will learn the basics of nutrition including why we eat food, the different types of nutrients and food groups, and focusing on establishing a good relationship with food taught by the Health and Fitness Specialist. The Cooking Specialist will then demonstrate the nutritional principle taught in food(s) so they can see and taste applied nutrition. 

    Bored to Board
    Students will have opportunities to participate in social games with volunteers, students, and staff to improve social skills and enhance positive leisure skills.

    Boundaries
    Students will learn what a boundary is, how to set a boundary, how to hold a boundary, and how to respect a boundary. Student will understand various types of boundaries, including: physical, emotional, financial, etc.

    Challenge Group 
    Students will learn how to become more self-aware and improve resiliency through experiential activities and group discussions. Topics will vary each week ranging from resiliency, relationships, leadership, communication, and teamwork.

    Choir
    Students will learn how to work together as a group to produce music, including parts and harmonizing, sight singing, blending, etc. 

    Circuit Training
    Resistance/Circuit training is for those seeking a higher level of fitness. The course includes a cardiovascular conditioning and strength gains aspect, as well as careful attention to stretching and flexibility. Perfect for those hoping to lose weight, improve strength and/or overall fitness. Exercises can be adjusted for any who want to participate.

    Community Integration
    Students will explore neurodiverse friendly community resources. They will build connections with alumni groups. They will plan and identify leisure plans for after graduation.

    Coping Strategies
    Students will learn a variety of coping skills. Students will learn how to use coping skills to manage general stress and to handle high stress situations successfully.

    Creative Writing
    This course is designed to guide students in creative writing through experience in three genres: short story, poetry, and creative non-fiction. The course includes analysis of literary models (professional writings in each genre), individual and class criticism of work in a workshop mode, and lecture on and discussion of literary techniques in each genre.

    Dating
    Students will learn how to date others, including hygiene, greeting, approaching others, qualities to have in order to succeed in dating, and how to build appropriate romantic relationships.

    DIY Club
    Student will learn how to create home décor, jewelry, and other art projects using simple resources. 

    Drama
    An introduction to the craft of acting. Students learn theory and practice of acting through exercises, rehearsals and games, improving their ability to concentrate, relax, listen, observe and practice empathy. Open to all levels of experience. 

    Drawing & Comic Illustration
    This course is developed to encourage students to develop artistic skills through practice, studio projects, and guided exploration. This course offers a look at the fundamental building blocks of the comic book medium. Exploring panel to panel transitions, text to image relationships, and the intricacies of page layouts, students will examine new and innovative ways to bring their stories to life.  

    Empowerment Group
    Students will develop increased self-confidence, autonomy, and self-determination through experiential learning, activities, and discussions.

    Friendship Building 1
    In friendship building, students will discover and discuss the skills needed to make and keep friends as well as the benefits, struggles, and hesitancies of having friends. During class, students will engage in discussions, role play, and participate in experiential activities to practice skills and discuss topics about building lasting friendships. 

    Friendship Building 2
    In friendship building  2, students will continue discussing the skills needed to  keep friends as well as the benefits, struggles, and hesitancies of having friends. During class, students will engage in discussions, role play, and participate in experiential activities to practice skills and discuss topics about building lasting friendships. 

    Functional Fitness
    In this class we will focus on strengthening and balancing muscles to help the students become more functionally fit. This means that they will live with less pain, have more range of motion and perform daily tasks more easily. This class is for anyone at any level, but more specifically designed for those with difficulties being active.

    General Music
    Students will have the opportunity to learn the basics of music while exploring different music genres, instruments, and music history. They will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students in creating music, while still developing their own musicianship skills. 
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    Group Sports
    Students will get to learn how to play and participate in different Group Sports. ​

    Heritage Horses
    Students will go to Heritage School to do challenge activities with horses. They will learn social skills, reciprocity, problem solving skills, creativity, and how to be comfortable around large animals.  

    Hero's Journey 1
    From Beowulf to Luke Skywalker, stories have a way of not only shaping our culture but how we move through the world. This course focuses on effective goal setting, introspection, self-awareness and personal development. By studying and incorporating the lessons found within the Jungian archetypes, and the Hero’s Journey, students are equipped with the tools they need to begin their own personal journey towards a more fulfilling and enriching life.

    Hero's Journey 2
    This class builds upon the foundation set in the Hero’s Journey class. Students continue their own hero’s journey by exploring their past and present through writing and projects. Through self-authorship, students gain insights into their own past experiences, develop strategies for capitalizing on their strengths, and learning from their weaknesses, and have the framework for a personal autobiography of their life. (Hero’s Journey 1 is a prerequisite for this course).

    Hiking Club
    Students will have the opportunity to go on short hikes in the Provo Canyon to stay active and spend time outside appreciating nature.

    I Can Do Hard Things 
    The students will increase self-regulation through self-awareness and self-confidence by engaging in experiential activities, videos, and discussions.

    Identity
    Students will explore components that make up identity and will engage in self discovery to gain more awareness of their identity. They will engage in experiences to help them celebrate and accept the aspects of their identity.

    Inclusion
    Students will be able to explain the basics of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

    Intro to Fitness
    Students will understand results from their fitness assessment and how to improve their health and fitness. They will write their personal fitness system and practice following it. They will also learn proper technique and usage of fitness equipment and have the opportunity to try different ways of exercising to find what they enjoy. 

    Leisure Exploration

    • Develop leisure interests and skills 

    • Expansion of interest

    • Openness to try new activities


    Music Appreciation
    In Music Appreciation, each person gets to participate in exploring music from various genres, decades, and countries of origin. The goals of the class are for students to gain a better appreciation of all forms of music, think critically about music, and address issues of rigidity with music by learning to appreciate forms of music they may not like.

    Music From Around the World
    Students will learn of different instruments, songs, and cultures that are found in different countries throughout the world.

    My Happiness Trek
    Students will learn about the importance of emotions, how to make happiness lasting, and how to use their character strengths to improve authentic happiness utilizing research-based techniques.

    Outdoor Adventures
    Outdoor Adventures class aims to help students reach leisure goals whether they are living on or off campus. The goal of the group is to help students develop leisure skills and become more aware of the outdoor leisure resources in the Utah County area so they can engage in meaningful leisure activities on their own.

    Painting
    This course explores the basics of color theory, shading and painting techniques with acrylic paints. Students are encouraged to develop their artistic skills and work towards a final project of completing a portrait painting.

    PEERS
    PEERS® for Young Adults is a 16-week evidence-based social skills intervention for motivated young adults between 18-38 years of age who are interested in learning skills to make and keep friends and develop romantic relationships. This internationally acclaimed program was originally developed at UCLA by PEERS® Clinic Founding Director, Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson. During each group session, young adults are taught important social skills and are given the opportunity to practice these skills.

    Young Adults will learn about:

    • Conversational Skills

    • Appropriate Use of Humor

    • Electronic Communication

    • Handling Direct and Indirect Bullying

    • Handling Arguments & Disagreements

    • Organizing Get-Togethers with Friends

    • Dating Skills

    • Strategies for Handling Sexual Pressure


    Pottery Club
    Students will have the opportunity to learn the basic process of making pottery.  They will learn how to wedge clay, throw pots on the pottery wheel, trim pottery and learn how to glaze their pieces.  Students will also be expected to clean up their work space after each class.

    Relationships
    Students will learn about romantic attachment, how to improve relationships, how to maintain relationships, relationship repair, safety, and how to end unhealthy relationships.

    Relaxation Group
    Utilizing sensory calming techniques and mindfulness, the students will learn how to breathe correctly, relax their bodies and minds, and utilize these techniques throughout the week.

    Resiliency Training
    Resiliency is persistence in the face of adversity.  This class will utilize experiential activities to identify specific behaviors that can be named, discussed, and learned to increase your ability to become more resilient in your own life and to recognize resiliency in others.

    Self Love Group
    Students will explore the aspects of self love. They will engage in recreational therapy interventions that build self- acceptance, confidence, and esteem. They will be taught skills to help them practice life long self love.

    Self Management Group
    Students will learn basic coping skills and ways to identify when, where, and how to best utilize tools to manage their distress. 

    Sensory Group 
    Students will complete a sensory profile, learn about different sensory needs, and practice mindfulness. Students will have the opportunity to make sensory tools and learn how they can be used to help them with their sensory needs. 

    Storytelling
    Explore the art and origin of oral storytelling. Provide a variety of oral storytelling techniques, styles and exercises to enhance the understanding and delivery of telling stories.

    SVA Band
    SVA Band is a class where the students get the experience of playing music and collaborating with other musician students. It's your own school of rock right here at SVA. In SVA band we learn various rock, pop, jazz, blues, country, and pop songs. 

    Students will not only get to experience playing music on various instruments such as the guitar, drums, bass, keyboard, or as a singer, but they will learn how to work collectively towards a common goal. Playing in such a small band setting teaches the students that sometimes they have to rely on others for their part to work, also that others are also relying on them to play their part.

    SVA Band is all about having fun, enjoying music, improving on your instrument, and learning a unique form of teamwork in an unorthodox environment. Students will also have to occasional opportunity to perform as a band for various SVA activities and other activities within the community.

    Because this is a more advanced music course and the students rely on each others skills, a certain level of musical understanding or training is required to attend this class. This is not a beginners level course. The level of training required will be determined by course instructor. 

    ​Swimming
    Students would learn basic swimming skills: floating, gliding, front crawl (freestyle), back crawl, sidestroke, and breaststroke. We will also review water safety.

    Thrive Program 101
    Thrive Program 101 is a preparatory and assessment course. Students will experience a preview of our resiliency, leisure exploration, social skills, fitness, and fine art courses. They will also engage in resiliency, leisure exploration, social skills, and fitness assessments to prescribe coursework for the student's Thrive programming. The assessments are conducted by certified therapeutic recreational specialists and or a masters level certified personal trainer.

    Treat Club
    Students will learn how to make simple snacks in single serving sizes and to share with others. Students will also learn about healthy snack options to include in their diet.  

    Video Game Development Club
    This course will explore the basics of video game development in the RPG Maker MV engine. Students will learn how to use storytelling, dialog, and controlled story elements in order to create a cohesive narrative. In addition, students will have the opportunity to work within their own development team or alone to create a finished product. 

    ​Volleyball
    Students will learn the rules and basic techniques of volleyball. They will be able to play proficiently by the end of the term

    Weight Lifting
    Students will learn how to write and complete weight lifting workouts based on their goals. they will work with instructor to learn how to create a weight lifting goal, create an applicable assessment to track their progress, and write workouts that will specifically help them get closer to that goal.

    ​Yoga
    Students will improve flexibility and coordination through yoga. Class is taught by yoga videos and assisted by fitness specialist.​

  • Anxiety & Autism
    This class will focus on understanding what anxiety is, how each student experiences anxiety and learning skills to cope with it. Topics covered will be sensory overload, worry thoughts, mindfulness, and grounding techniques. 

    DBT Group
    Students will learn the basic principles associated with Dialectical Behavior Therapy, including mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance. Students will learn how to apply these various principles to their lives to improve their overall functioning. 

    Emotional Regulation
    Students identify the specific struggles they are attempting to manage on a regular basis relative to anxiety, depression, anger, and other concerns as they explore different therapeutic modalities and techniques associated with each modality that they can apply to their specific situation. They also develop a specific plan for managing their symptoms on a regular basis. 

    Healthy Sexuality
    Students will learn basic healthy sexuality including gender, sexual orientation, puberty, menstruation, menopause, pregnancy, STI's, anatomy, safety, effects of pornography, rape, sexual assault, and crimes.
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    LGBTQIA+ Support Group
    Students who identify as LGBTQIA+ receive support in discussing various topics and specific struggles they are attempting to manage in various areas of their lives as they build strong interpersonal relationships with peers. 

    Roommate Group Therapy
    Students will process their experiences relative to living with a roommate as well as address any concerns they may have regarding their interactions. They will also understand appropriate roommate etiquette in preparation for moving off-campus.

    ScenicView Clinic Group
    This class helps new students acclimate to the ScenicView program during their preparation phase of programming. Students also complete intake assessments and other documentation determined by staff to help develop optimal intervention strategies tailored to the needs of the student. Students will also engage in various group conversations regarding their struggles and how they may receive additional support as they become accustomed to the program. 

    Social Resiliency
    Students will explore and understand social competency as well as increase their resilience to social distress that may interfere with their progress toward long-term goals. They will explore personal behaviors that may interfere with social success as well as learn how to manage conflict appropriately as they navigate social situations in various areas of their lives. 

    Social Support and Resiliency
    New students explore some of the common social difficulties they experience on a regular basis as they transition into the program, including; conflict resolution, boundaries, rigidity, anxiety, and cognitive distortions relative to social situations. They also explore specific strategies to improve interpersonal relationships and how to appropriately resolve conflict with peers in a supportive environment. 

  • Behavioral Program 101
    Students will be introduced to the concept of systems (a set of steps or routine) and be able to identify a variety of systems in their environment. They will work on an assessment that helps them recognize their own personal systems. Through this exploration, they will determine what systems they currently have, whether their systems rely on others, and if they will work in the future. Additionally, they will increase their problem-solving skills by creating a list of improvements that could be made to their systems in the future. 

    Life is Not a Label
    Students in this class will research their own personal diagnoses and disabilities in order to learn more about who they are, what challenges they face, and how they are uniquely different from others with similar diagnoses.  The focus will be on awareness and on integrating such knowledge in a self-affirming, positive manner.

    Life Systems
    Introduction to the concept of using systems to address most challenges of daily life. The focus of the class will be to introduce what systems are, how they are used, and how they can help students stress less, achieve goals, save time, and simplify life. Students will learn to create systems and begin the process of looking for areas in their life that could use more efficient systems. Executive function skills will be explored with a focus on creating systems to address challenges in the areas of time management, task initiation, planning, prioritization, sleep management, organization, etc.