Specialized
and Related Itinerant Services
Katie Jones
Principal for Itinerant & Related Services
F.
Donald Myers Education Center
Henning
Road
Saratoga
Springs, NY 12866
Voice:
(518) 581-3605/ 746-3605
Fax: (518) 581-3609/ 746-3609
E-Mail:
kjones@wswheboces.org
These
are services recommended by the Committee on Special
Education to meet the specific needs of a pupil with a
disability. One or more of these services, including the
frequency, type (direct or indirect) and duration of the
service, must be specified in the IEP to initiate
services. Specialized itinerant services are
provided to districts on a shared basis. The following
services can be purchased by districts on either a
half-day or full-day basis. Some specialized itinerant
services may be purchased in 30-minute units [Related
Services Only (RSO)] to accommodate a small number of
students receiving the service.
Itinerant
staff operate as regular members of the component school
faculty and work under local district supervision, follow
local district school calendars and attend school
meetings. Minimum request for an itinerant service is one
day, with additional time in half-day increments. Services
are delivered in a variety of ways:
•
Classroom consultation
•
Group treatment
•
In-classroom intervention
•
Individual treatment
•
In-service education
•
Screening clinics
•
Student evaluations and standardized testing
Adaptive
Physical Education (APE)
A
certified physical education (PE) teacher, knowledgeable
of the program modifications needed for students with
disabilities who may not safely or successfully engage in
unrestricted activities of a regular PE program, provides:
•
Collaborative teaching services
•
Consulting services
•
Modified or remedial programs
•
Self-contained classroom services
Assistive
Technology
Certified
personnel provide direct and indirect support service in
the integration and use of assistive technology devices,
materials, and strategies to students, educational teams,
and families. Two levels of Assistive Technology
Assessments are available to address a variety of student
needs, as identified by the student’s local school
district.
Audiology
This
service is provided by a certified educational audiologist
who consults with local district staff regarding students
with hearing impairments and/or central auditory
processing problems. The audiologist provides in-service
training for district teachers, recommends curriculum and
instructional modifications and provides hearing aid and
auditory trainer management. Requests can also be made to
conduct district-wide kindergarten hearing screenings.
Blind
and Visually Impaired
A
certified teacher of the blind and visually impaired will
provide direct and/or indirect services to visually
impaired pupils and/or teachers and other professionals
associated with the student to enable the pupils to be
educated in the least restrictive environment. Direct
services might include: instruction in Braille; use of
magnifiers; adaptations necessary for curricular support;
and use of specialized computer equipment. Indirect
services include: conducting in-service; adapting
classroom materials; acquiring Braille and large-print
books; and maintaining up-to-date medical information from
medical personnel.
Committee
on Special Education Chairperson
A
Committee on Special Education (CSE) or Committee on
Pre-School Special Education (CPSE) Chairperson provides
organization and facilitation to a district’s CSE or
CPSE. This individual oversees the referral, evaluation,
review and placement process necessary for students with
disabilities to access education.
Consultant
Teacher
A
consultant teacher provides direct and indirect services
to school age students with disabilities. This
consultation can assist regular education teachers to
adjust the learning environment and/or modify
instructional methods to meet individual student needs.
They may also work collaboratively during instruction in
the regular education classroom.
Deaf
and Hard of Hearing
A
certified teacher of the deaf and hearing impaired will
provide direct services to hard of hearing pupils and
consultation to teachers. This service enables the pupil
to be educated in the least restrictive environment.
Instructional services might include: training in manual
communication and lip reading; reinforcement of reading
and math skills; reteaching of regular classroom content
areas; management of hearing aids and auditory trainers;
and modification of curriculum and instructional
strategies.
Evaluation
Services
These
services are available for students with or without a
disability. Depending on the area, staff spend up to half
a day with the student, consulting with district staff,
reviewing records and gathering information from parents.
A report is also provided.
•
Assistive Technology
•
Audiological (pure tone or CAP)
•
English as a Second Language*
•
Functional Vision
•
Occupational Therapy
•
Orientation and Mobility
•
Physical Therapy
•
Rehabilitation Teaching
•
Sensory Integration
•
Speech and Language
*
English as a Second Language is not BOCES-aidable.
Occupational
Therapy
A
licensed Occupational Therapist (OTR-L) or Certified
Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) under the
supervision of an OTR-L, provides a wide range of
adaptations and compensations that allow children to
participate in educational tasks. OT services focus on:
fine motor skills; visual-perceptual skills; sensory
integration; functional living skills; and adaptive
equipment.
Orientation
and Mobility (O&M)
A
certificated professional works with visually impaired
students to familiarize them with new surroundings so that
they can travel independently indoors and out. Also, the
O&M professional instructs students in the use of
specialized travel devices and, with younger children,
works on concept development as it relates to body image,
spatial awareness, and knowledge of the environment.
Physical
Therapy
A
licensed Physical Therapist (PT) or Physical Therapy
Assistant (PTA) under the supervision of a PT, facilitates
postural security and mobility so that children have the
freedom to focus on educational tasks. PT services focus
on: balance, coordination, motor planning, adaptive
equipment, physical handling, and architectural barriers.
Psychological/Social
Work Services
A
certified school psychologist or a certified school social
worker may provide consultation to staff and counseling to
students based upon the needs and philosophy of the
school. The psychologist/social worker promote the
education and mental health of children through
consultations with parents, school staff and other
professionals, assessment, referral/case management
services and direct interventions, including individual
and group counseling. School psychologists and school
social workers act as problem solvers who, working with
others, assist in changing environments, attitudes and
systems to help children use their strengths to succeed in
academic learning, social skills, and citizenship.
Furthermore, school psychologists will conduct cognitive
and behavioral evaluation and consultation.
Rehabilitation
Teaching (RT)
A
certificated professional will instruct visually impaired
students in skills relating to personal grooming and
independent living, such as: food preparation,
housekeeping, money management, clothing care, eating,
completing applications and budgeting.
Speech
and Language
(Speech
Impaired)
A
certified teacher of the speech and hearing handicapped
provides evaluation, consultation and/or direct therapy to
students with communication disorders such as impaired
articulation, language impairment or voice disorders. Such
students may be classified “speech impaired” and
receive itinerant services.
Transition
Planning Services Coordination
A
Transition Planning Services Coordinator assists
Committees on Special Education in developing transition
plans for students with disabilities who are 14 years of
age or older.
|
