The Special Needs Program curriculum allows for individualized planning and individualized instruction. Total communication is used in all classrooms. Because of its location, mainstreaming within SSSD's regular classes for students with capabilities in a particular area is readily available. The Special needs Program is also used as a transitional placement for student not yet ready to handle regular classroom placement. Classroom instruction emphasizes Daily Living Skills as listed in the Special Needs Program course.
Emphasis is placed on hygiene, language, money, time, math and fine and gross motor skills.
Support services available to the Special needs Program students include speech, physical therapy, audiology, physical education, adaptive physical education, counseling, home arts, shop, art and drama. The Special Needs Program is dedicated to making each of its students as independently functioning as possible. Toward this end five levels of vocational training exist. On the first vocational level, students are introduced to various jobs available in the community through numerous field trips and class-related activities. The second vocational level consists of Pre-Vocational training.