Counseling as a Related Counseling as a Related ServiceService

Lauren Foster

Melinda Islas

Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, disability, or any other legally protected status in employment or provision of services, programs, or activities. View Nondiscrimination Policy English/Spanish

BEST PRACTICESBEST PRACTICES

The Special Education counseling professional works as part of a multi-disciplinarian team to meet the individual needs of the students we serve. We comply with laws and policies and with professional standards. We collaborate, cooperate and communicate with other professionals, organizations and parents with integrity and respect. We value those we serve by maintaining confidentiality and by protecting the rights of all individuals. We maintain a high standard of competence by continuing professional growth through ongoing education and professional development. We hold paramount the welfare and needs of our students by following strict ethical standards.

GUIDELINESGUIDELINES

Special education counseling is legally defined as a related service that is required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education and is provided by a licensed/certified mental health professional. Counseling is available for special education students who are unsuccessful due to an emotional component impacting school performance or for students who qualify on the autism spectrum with severe social skills deficits that impair school performance. Students eligible for services must display significant emotional or social deficits.

Counseling is an intervention that supports the student in achieving his or her individual goals. The special education counselor will work from a counseling IEP that is separate from a behavior intervention plan. Counseling services will be delivered as recommended and then faded as appropriate for students.

What is Special Education What is Special Education Counseling?Counseling?

Related service Reason for referral must be

educationally relevant in an academic school setting for an identified special education student

Must be determined through an evaluation and through an ARD

Requires parent consent

What interventions are What interventions are needed prior to needed prior to requesting counselor's requesting counselor's evaluation?evaluation?

Refer to general education/grade level counselor

Review/develop classroom accommodations, strategies, and behavior interventions

Peer mentorTutoring Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)

What are considerations What are considerations for multi-disciplinary for multi-disciplinary team?team? Must follow specific procedures - StaffingAddress documentation of

intervention’s successImprovement, continue with

interventionsNo improvement – determine why

lack of improvementRequest FBA/BIPImplement BIP interventions for 3 to 6

weeks (if no improvement re-staff)

How does one access How does one access SpEd counseling?SpEd counseling?

Re-staffingCase manager will have completed

the SPED counseling pre-referral formTeam should review information

gathered with pre-referral formSPED counselor will determine need

for additional interventions and/or need for a SPED counseling evaluation

What is considered an What is considered an educationally relevant educationally relevant referral?referral?

A significant drop in achievement, and/or a pattern of failure across the core curriculum

A pattern of excessive absences that threaten school success due to emotional issues (i.e. anxiety, school phobia, etc)

Significant social skills or behavioral deficits that impact educational achievement and are not developmentally appropriate

What is NOT considered What is NOT considered an educationally relevant an educationally relevant referral?referral? (Generally an educational need for special (Generally an educational need for special education counseling is not present when a education counseling is not present when a student is experiencing problems common to student is experiencing problems common to students of the same age and developmental students of the same age and developmental stage.)stage.)Truancy not related to emotional issues Poor academic performanceLow self-esteemDifficulties with peer relationsPoor organizational skillsGang related behaviors and/or issuesHome life and/or family issues

Are there any exceptions Are there any exceptions to this process?to this process?

Crisis interventionSuicidal ideationHomicidal ideation

Crisis intervention does not require parent permission.

EvaluationsEvaluations

Elementary- LSSPSecondary-Special Education

Counselor/LSSP

Service ProvidersService Providers

Elementary-Campus CounselorSecondary-Special Education

Counselor

DocumentationDocumentation

Counselor Service LogConfidentiality

Progress ReportingProgress Reporting

Special Education ManagerIEPProgress Reports-9 wks

Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, disability, or any other legally protected status in employment or provision of services, programs, or activities. View Nondiscrimination Policy English/Spanish