The Navigator Program
1-on-1 tech classes adapted for students with autism, Down syndrome, ADHD, and other diverse learning needs. Same exciting subjects, instructors trained in adaptive teaching.
What Makes Navigator Different
The Navigator Program offers specialized 1-on-1 tech instruction for students with diverse learning needs, taught by instructors trained in adaptive techniques. Students explore game design, coding, 3D art, and more in a supportive environment tailored to their pace and interests.
Tech Tails' Navigator program provides adaptive, 1-on-1 online tech classes for kids with autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and other diverse learning needs. Every session is private and live over Zoom with an instructor trained in adaptive teaching techniques, who builds the pace, structure, and communication style of each class around the individual student rather than a fixed lesson plan. Some students do best with a predictable routine and short, consistent warm-ups; others need flexible breaks or extra processing time between instructions. The subject matter draws from the full Tech Tails curriculum, including coding, game design, and digital art, using tools like Scratch, Roblox Studio, Unity, Blender, and Microsoft Office, chosen around each student's interests and strengths. The goal is a supportive, judgment-free environment where progress is measured against the student's own goals.
Built for Diverse Learners
Every lesson is thoughtfully adapted to how your student learns best, whether they have autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, or other needs.
Trained, Adaptive Instructors
Instructors trained to adjust communication, pacing, and activities to support your student's success.
Individualized Curriculum
No rigid syllabus. Each learning path is built around your student's interests, strengths, and goals.
Consistency & Trust
Same dedicated instructor every week, building trust, routine, and a deep understanding of your student.
What Students Can Learn
Navigator students explore the same exciting tech subjects we teach in all our programs, adapted with extra patience, structure, and accommodation.
What they can build
Examples. Every student's path is built around their own interests.
A game built around a personal interest
Design a simple game in Scratch or Roblox Studio around a topic the student is passionate about, using that focus to make new coding concepts easier to engage with.
A visual project in Canva or Adobe Creative Suite
Create posters, digital collages, or simple graphic designs, practicing planning and fine motor skills in a low-pressure, self-paced creative format.
A structured productivity routine
Build comfortable, repeatable routines in Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, like organizing files or formatting a document, that transfer directly to schoolwork.
A 3D model in Blender
Sculpt or build a simple object or character in Blender, working in short, structured steps that suit a student's individual pace and attention span.
A block-based coding project in Scratch
Build an interactive story or simple game using Scratch's visual blocks, reinforcing sequencing and logic without the added demand of typed syntax.
A Python project introduced gradually
For students ready for text-based code, introduce Python through small, well-scaffolded steps, moving from visual coding at a pace set entirely by the student.
How Your Student Progresses
- 1
Getting started
Sessions begin with getting to know the student, their interests, communication preferences, and pacing needs, then building a simple first project in a familiar tool like Scratch or Canva. The focus is establishing a comfortable, predictable session structure and a working relationship with the instructor before introducing new skills.
- 2
Building skills
As routine and trust build, instructors introduce more structured tools like Roblox Studio, Blender, or Microsoft Office, expanding on the student's interests with slightly more complex, multi-step projects. Pacing stays fully individualized, with built-in breaks and repetition where helpful, and progress is tracked against the student's own goals rather than a fixed benchmark.
- 3
Going further
Students who are ready take on longer projects in Unity, VS Code, or Python, working toward something they can finish and feel proud of, whether that's a finished game, a set of digital art pieces, or a small coding project. The pace and depth continue to be shaped entirely around the individual student.
Is this program a good fit?
Navigator is great for kids who:
- focus intensely on topics and games they love
- learn best with a predictable, judgment-free session structure
- benefit from flexible pacing, extra processing time, or built-in breaks
- have autism, ADHD, a learning disability, or another diverse learning need
- do well with an instructor who adapts to how they communicate
How It Works
Private 1-on-1
Every session is a private lesson with a trained instructor who understands your student's needs and learning style.
Live on Zoom
Classes happen live over Zoom from the comfort of home.
Full 1-Hour Sessions
Session length is flexible based on your student's attention and energy, keeping learning productive and stress-free.
Scholarships Accepted
We accept Utah Fits All, ESA Arizona, CFEF, Step Up for Students, and other programs.
Navigator FAQ
What age can my child start the Navigator program?
The Navigator program is open to students ages 7 and up, including kids with autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, Down syndrome, and other diverse learning needs. Because every session is 1-on-1 and adapted to the individual student, there's no single starting skill level required. The free trial class is a good way to see how your child responds to the format.
How is the Navigator program different from regular Tech Tails classes?
The subject matter, coding, game design, digital art, and more, is the same, but the instruction is adapted. Navigator instructors are trained in adaptive teaching techniques and build session structure, pacing, and communication style around each student's individual needs, rather than following a fixed lesson plan meant for a typical classroom pace.
Are Navigator instructors trained to work with neurodivergent students?
Yes. Navigator instructors are trained in adaptive teaching approaches, including flexible pacing, structured and predictable session formats, and adjusting communication style to how each student processes information best. Sessions are designed to be patience-centered and judgment-free, with progress tracked against goals set for that individual student.
Can Navigator sessions be paid for with scholarship funds?
Many families use education scholarship funds such as Utah Fits All, Arizona ESA, and Florida's Step Up For Students programs (including FES-UA) to help cover Navigator sessions, and several of these programs offer higher award amounts for students with a documented disability. Eligibility and amounts vary by state and change over time, so confirm current details with the program directly before enrolling.
What if my child needs breaks or a flexible session structure?
That's exactly what the Navigator program is built for. Instructors adjust session length, pacing, and structure around what works for the individual student, whether that means short movement breaks, a consistent warm-up routine, or extra time to process instructions before responding. Sessions are designed to fit the student, not the other way around.
Keep Exploring
Related classes
Who teaches
- Skyler CameronFull Stack Development Expert
- Evan SternSenior Game Developer
- Austin WeeksUnity & AI Specialist
- Tyler BurgentsGame Development Expert
- Jaycee SalinasGame Developer & AI Specialist
Ready to Get Started?
Try a Navigator session for free. No payment, no obligation. See firsthand how our specialized instruction can help your student learn, grow, and gain confidence with technology.
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