The 411 on Special Education Related Services
Special Education spans beyond just teaching students within classrooms, but often includes additional services and supports to ensure that students are successful during the school day. The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) defines related services as a way to provide, “transportation and such developmental, corrective, and other supportive services” to allow students to have access to general education and activities. IDEA explicitly lists and defines 12 possible related services that students can receive, however, schools have the discretion to provide additional services based on the unique needs of the student.
Typically, students see their service providers during the school day 2-3 times a week for a duration of 30 minutes either individually or a group. It is important that students with multiple services are not missing excessive instructional time, which could become counterproductive depending on their goals. Instead, Child Study Teams should work to find an appropriate balance of services and locations for service delivery. This means that sometimes providers might be able to work with students inside their classroom, so that they are not missing academic content. With the proper collaboration, it is also possible for some providers to work on class work during their sessions.
Although related services play a vital role in many students' Individualized Education Plans (IEP) and 504-Plans, since the pandemic, many schools are facing related service shortages across all disciplines. As a result, many students are missing their mandated services, which likely is negatively impacting their academic growth and performance. Therefore, it is important for educators and parents alike to learn strategies and activities that they can incorporate into their days to assist in meeting IEP goals.
Below, you will learn more about some of the more common related services that are included on IEPs and the skills that they work to target in students. Be sure to check out our daily posts to see examples of IEP goals related to each discipline.
Speech-Language Services
Students may receive speech and language services if they are communication impaired or have difficulty with receptive and/or expressive language and communication. Speech providers help students improve and develop their listening and speaking skills through a variety of activities. Providers specifically work with students on understanding and using the sounds of language, organizing speech sounds, understanding language, forming clear sounds when speaking, and developing social language skills.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy is a discipline that is most often misunderstood by educators and parents. OT helps students who have physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities gain independence and the ability to live independently. Occupational therapists work with students on developing their eye and hand control to complete tasks such as eating, putting on socks, tying shoes, writing, and more. Certain activities within occupational therapy sessions can also help students learn to regulate their behavior, manage stress, and respond more positively to their environment by working on their cognitive skills and sensory-processing.
Physical Therapy
Students may qualify for physical therapy if they need assistance moving throughout the school building safely and independently. This might look like providers working with students on navigating the steps to reinforce the idea of “one step, one foot,” instead of putting both feet on each stair while descending or grabbing railings with both hands. Physical Therapists help students develop physical skills such as large-muscle movement, moving to and from different locations, balance, and coordination. Receiving physical therapy can help improve students confidence and safety during recess and physical activity.
Counseling Services
Counseling services are great opportunities to teach students how to identify their feelings and self-coping strategies and skills. Overall, goals are typically aligned to helping students improve their social, emotional, and coping skills that can be utilized both at school and at home. This might look like playing games with a small group to learn self-control, how to develop peer relationships, execute conflict resolution, and battle low self-esteem. It is important to note that many schools also offer at-risk counseling for students experiencing life changes, sadness, etc., which an IEP or 504-plan is not required for. In this case, schools would seek written consent from parents and typically meet with students for a specified period of time to discuss a specific topic (i.e. divorce, death, moving.)
School Health/Nurse Services
Students that have health-related needs may require frequent access to the school nurse to maintain their safety. This related service is often included on the students IEP or 504-plan to ensure their proper oversight in school settings. Students who receive the support of a school nurse (or health paraprofessional) have health issues such as diabetes, epilepsy, severe asthma, or feeding tubes, to name a few examples. The purpose of the service is to ensure that students have access to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).
Parent Counseling and Training
Parent Counseling and Training is a specific related service that helps parents understand disability specific needs, supports, and strategies to best support their student with a disability. Typically the classes span the course of an academic year and help families develop the necessary skills to support the development of the student at home. Additionally, it teaches them more about their student’s IEP and may connect them with community resources to provide wraparound services for both the family and the student.
Transportation
The transportation related service allows students to be picked up from their homes directly to school buildings with the presence of a bus monitor. Typically, this is reserved for students that cannot travel safely due to emotional, behavioral, cognitive or communication impairment, or have physical or medical needs. While the process for qualification may vary by district, generally parents are required to provide a doctor’s note and explanation of why students need this service. There are also students that may benefit from additional accommodations based on their unique needs such as traveling with their personal paraprofessional, medical provider, time limitations, car seats, safety vests, and others.
Related services are free services entitled to students with disabilities and 504-plans under the federal IDEA law that help ensure students have access to public schools and education despite any disability or medical need.
