Workshop 2Understanding Special Education

Continuum of ServicesLearning Team E:

Yeida ChavezShemiah Owens

Melissa VandenBusscheSPE/513

9 May 2016Claustina Mahon Reynolds

Introduction

O An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a written detailed plan developed by a team for each pupil ages 3–21 who receives a special education; a management tool. This plan will help students learn in the same environment with his/her peers as much as possible. In this week’s workshop series we will cover:

O The Definition of Continuum Services available in an IEP

O Descriptive of each continuum of services

O Examples of Continuum of services

O Professionals who may provide services within each continuum

Definition of Continuum of Services Available in an IEP

Continuum of Special Education Services

The continuum of special education services for school-age students with disabilities is an array of services to meet an individual student's needs that includes:

O A Traditional View of Service Delivery options

O Regular classroom with modifications and supportive services available

O Regular classroom plus resource room services

O Part time special class (part-time regular classroom)

O Full-time special class

O Special day school

O Residential School

O Homebound Instruction

O Hospital and treatment centers

Descriptors of Each Continuum of ServiceExamples of Continua of Services

Regular Education Classes/Inclusion

O Collaboration/consultation/co-teaching

services focus on special educators

(Intervention Specialists) and general

educators working together to best meet

the needs of students with disabilities as

well as children who may be "at risk".

Individual/Small Group Setting (Tutoring)

O The Individual/Small Group Instruction

program provides students with disabilities

support that helps to increase their

opportunity to benefit from regular class

placement. This is supplemental

instruction that focuses on targeted IEP

goals and objectives.

Resource Room

O The Resource Room serves children

whose disabilities require intensive

programming. Continued participation in

the child's regular class activities is

encouraged. The Resource Rooms offer

an alternative/modified curriculum in a

small group setting, which provides

personalized options that are not offered

in the general education program.

Separate Facility

O Separate facilities are, typically, schools

outside of the district that are designed

specifically for students with disabilities.

Home Instruction

O Home instruction is an individualized

education program provided at home to a

child with a disability that prevents the

child from attending a regular or special

program even with the aid of special

transportation.

Institutions and Hospitals

Professionals Who May Provide Services Within Each Continuum

Regular Education Classes/Inclusion

1) Service provided and taught by regular

education teacher and Special education

teacher.

2) Other professionals may include a

dedicated aide for a student who requires

a 1:1 due to IEP requirements.

Individual/Small Group Setting (Tutoring)

1) In individual and small group settings services are provided by special education teacher.

2) Sometimes small group instruction is also taught in conjunction with a regular education teacher.

3) In small group settings there could also be peer tutors, paraprofessionals or dedicated aids.

4) Small group settings can include reading classes with services provided by reading specialists.

5) Individuals may receive service by Speech Pathologist for speech services.

6) Individuals may also receive service by Occupational Therapist for occupational needs related to motor skills.

7) Social workers often provide small group setting service.

8) Psychologists provide individual psychological services.

9) Art therapists provide individual art therapy services.

Resource Room1) In resource room settings services are

provided by special education teachers.

2) Speech pathologists and reading

specialists may also be available

throughout the day to offer additional

support and services within the resource

room. Paraprofessionals or dedicated

aids may also be present to provide

student support depending on IEP

requirements.

Separate Facility- Day School1) In separate facilities services are provided by special

education teachers.

2) Separate facilities also have dedicated aids for those students whose IEPs require 1:1 support.

3) Service Providers also include Speech Pathologists for speech and language services as well as Occupational Therapists for occupational needs related to motor skills.

4) Social workers are also available to provide group service.

5) Psychologists provide individual psychological services for students.

6) Psychiatrists may also be available to provide services such as writing prescriptions.

7) Art therapists provide individual art therapy services for individual students.

8) Transition specialists provide services related to creating and managing the transition plan for after high school.

Home Instruction

1) Home instruction services can be

provided by a regular education or a

special education teacher.

2) The homebound instructor still works

with the regular education teachers and

special education teachers.

Institutions and Hospitals

1) The homebound instructor will often

provide services while a student is in

the hospital. Since the hospital is

usually a temporary placement.

2) Psychiatrists, Psychologists, and

nurses may also provide services.

Conclusion

O An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a written plan created and implemented by a multidisciplinary team for exceptional students from ages 3–21 who receive special education related services.

O There are several types of special education services available including: traditional classrooms, individual small group classroom, resource room, special facility such as a day school, and home instruction.

O Service providers who may offer support in each continuum include: regular and special education teachers, paraprofessionals, dedicated aids, homebound instructors, speech therapists, occupational therapists, reading specialists, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and art therapists.

References

Gargiulo, R. M. (2012). Special Education in

Contemporary Society. An Introduction to Exceptionality. 4thed. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc. Retrieved from https://phoenix.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781483321653/cfi/6/30

Ruhl, Kathy L. (2002). Teacher Education and Special Education. 2(1), 87.