Related Services in Special Education
Related Services are defined as a service to assist a child with a disability to benefit from Special Education. The Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team members will make a determination regarding the specific related services necessary to meet the unique needs of the child.
Occupational Therapy
Occupation Therapy involves fine motor skills and can enhance a child's ability to function in an educational program. Occupational Therapy can assist students with low muscle tone including skills such as:
self-help skills or adaptive living (eating, dressing),
fine-motor (e.g., holding a pencil, cutting with scissors),
live-skills (e.g., using hands to sort and sequence items, using a pincer grip with thumb and index finger)
Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy is associated with educational relevant services involving the gross motor skills. These services address a child's posture, muscle strength in gross motor abilities, mobility, and organization of movement or motor planning in educational environments. Physical Therapy services may:
provide treatment to increase joint function, muscle strength, mobility and endurance
address gross motor skills that rely on the large muscles of the body involved in physical movement and range of motion
help improve the student's posture, positioning, gait, and body awareness
monitor the function, fit and proper use of mobility aids and devices
Psychological Services
Psychological Services are available as a related service when necessary for a student already identified as having a disability and are receiving special education services under an IEP. These services are provided by either a school psychologist or a psychometrist. Psychological Services may include:
administering psychological and educational tests and other assessment procedures
interpreting assessment results
reviewing existing information, as well as obtaining, integrating and interpreting information about a student's behavior and conditions relating to learning in order to conduct a Functional Behavior Assessment
services may also include the assistance in developing a positive Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) involving strategies for behavior interventions
consulting with other school personnel and the parent regarding the appropriate program(s) to meet the student's unique needs as indicated by psychological tests, interviews, and behavioral evaluations
Audiology
Audiology services involves the identification of children with hearing loss. Audiology includes:
determining the range, nature and degree of hearing loss, including referral for medical or other professional attention for the habilitation of hearing
hearing evaluation, speech conservation, auditory training, language habilitation
counseling and guidance to school personnel, parents and the child regarding the hearing loss
determining children's needs for group and individual amplification, and the evaluation of the effectiveness of the amplification
Speech
Speech-Language Pathology Services are provided to address the needs of children with language and articulation difficulties. Speech delays and disorders range from simple sound substitutions to the inability to understand or use language or use the oral-motor mechanism for functional speech and feeding. Speech services may include:
screening and/or assessment regarding the identification of children with possible speech and/or language impairments
identify and appraise specific speech or language impairments
therapy may include, but is not limited to, articulation, vocabulary development, oral motor exercises
consult with the child's teacher about the most effective ways to facilitate the child's communication in the class setting
consult with the family regarding techniques for effective intervention and strategies to use in the home and community setting
utilize electronic communication devices for non-verbal children
School Health Services
School Health Services are indicated as a related service when a student cannot attend school without supportive health care. Typically, school health services are provided by a qualified school nurse or other qualified trained person who is supervised by a qualified nurse. Health services may include:
administering and/or dispensing medications
classroom modifications for the health needs of the student
special feedings
clean intermittent catheterization
suctioning
management of a tracheostomy
conducting and/or promoting education and skills training for all (including the student, if possible) school personnel involving the medical
Transportation
Transportation as a related service is determined by the IEP team members. Transportation includes:
travel to and from school
specialized equipment (such as lifts, ramps, tie-downs) if required to provide special transportation for a child with a disability
Contact Randy Empting at the Ponca City Public School District's Transportation Department, 580-767-8088.