Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language, vision, etc., are just a few services offered to students with disabilities. Services in special education is essential because it helps ensure that students with disabilities receive the necessary supports and resources they need to succeed in school. Not just to succeed, but to thrive. Special education services are designed to meet the unique individual needs of students with disabilities, ranging from learning disabilities to physical impairments or developmental disorders. When services are provided, students have the opportunity to fully participate in their educational programs, and achieve their fullest potential. As much as services are necessary, there are limitations. And that is the purpose of today’s post… to understand the role services play and their limitations in a student’s educational journey.
According to IDEA services are provided so that a student can advance appropriately towards attaining annual goals. Services allows students to be involved in and make progress in the general education curriculum and to participate in extracurricular and other nonacademic activities. It is important to remember that the IEP only addresses those educational needs resulting from the child’s disability. What this means is that the education, services, and supports outlined in a student’s IEP does not necessarily cover that student’s entire educational program. For example, if a student doesn’t need support in physical education (PE), this student is not going to receive adaptive PE or physical therapy services. No matter how badly a parent might want a certain service, there are limits to the provision of services.
The biggest limitation is criteria! It’s important to remember the criteria for services provided… educational need. Only when assessment results show an educational need that only that service can address, services are provided. When an educational need cannot be established, then services will not be provided. Special education services can face other limitations as well. It can be funding, resources, accessibility, eligibility, and/or appropriateness.
In the next few weeks, Special Ed Speaks is going to take some time helping readers understand the educational need of each of these services. If you’re a parent trying to navigate or understand services for your child, having a clear understanding of what those services look like and the criteria for receiving them are important. If you are a teacher these posts will be a great resource for you and to share with your parents. Next week, SES will start with one of the biggest services offered to our students, and probably one of the least understood… physical therapy (PT).
Do you have a specific question or area of special education services you’re exploring? Post it here or in SES’ Facebook Group.
