School-based Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physical Therapy (PT) are considered related services under Part B of IDEA. School-based Occupational and Physical Therapists help define a student’s strengths, needs, and their impact on school performance. The Occupational and Physical Therapists work in collaboration with the student, general education team, and special education team. Services may be provided directly to the student or in consultation on behalf of the student as determined by the IEP team. A student with an IEP is eligible to receive a related service if the student requires the related service in order to benefit from their special education programming and when the therapist’s unique expertise is needed to support the student.
In a school setting, the OT may be involved in one or more of the following areas that are interfering with a child's educational performance:
- fine motor, visual motor, and visual perceptual skills
- self-help skills
- sensory processing accommodations
- adaptive devices/equipment
In a school setting, the PT may be involved in one or more of the following areas that are interfering with a child's educational performance:
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functional gross motor skills limiting the ability to navigate the educational setting
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mobility skills impacting the ability to navigate stairs, ramps, uneven terrain
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strategies or equipment to maintain school accessibility and participation
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Employment tab with info on incentives
Mild/Moderate Needs Program:
The Mild/Moderate program is a service in which the Special Education teacher provides direct and indirect Special Education support both within the General Education setting as well as within settings other than the General Education classroom. These services may include, but are not limited to, co-teaching, co-planning, small group and individualized instruction, consultation, curricular/instructional accommodations and modifications, as well as support in regards to supplemental aids, materials and/or equipment. Services within the Mild/Moderate program may be focused on a combination of academics (reading/writing/math) in addition to social-emotional needs of students.
Affective Needs Program:
The Affective Needs program is designed to provide intensive and individualized social-emotional, behavioral, and academic support to students experiencing significant and chronic difficulties within these domains that have not improved with previous interventions and services. The program provides a smaller adult to student ratio within a highly structured classroom. Students participate in daily social-emotional instruction, as a primary purpose of the AN program is to help students learn and maintain the necessary self-regulation and coping skills to support their learning in the general education setting alongside their peers. As students demonstrate successful participation in the more restrictive setting of the AN classroom, they are provided opportunities for teaching/facilitating generalization of these skills into less restrictive environments with a focus on student independence and fading reliance on adults over time.
Significant Support Needs Program:
The Significant Support Needs program is designed for students with significant disabilities (which could include intense communication, intellectual, physical, and/or medical needs) who need opportunities to develop functional academic skills in addition to adaptive skills that they will need to function in everyday life such as self-care, vocational skills, money management, self-advocacy, independence, social skills, and others. This classroom provides a highly structured environment with a low staff-to-student ratio where a variety of research-based methodologies are used to meet the needs of students. This classroom provides students the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to successfully transition into less restrictive environments with consideration for any medical and/or developmental needs.
Transition Services and Programming
Eagle County School District provides classroom, community and vocational learning experiences which are designed to assist youth in transitioning from high school student to adult. Through collaboration with families and community agencies, learning opportunities are individually developed to support youth in progressing towards desired post-secondary goals.
Eligibility and Enrollment Process
Transition services is an optional program for young adults with special needs who are 18-21 years of age and who have completed their high school education. Eligible students are those who demonstrate a need for significant support and training in one or more of the following areas:
- Career And Employment
- Education and Training
- Adult Independent Living
SPECIALIZED SUPPORT AND TRAINING MAY INCLUDE:
- Job Exploration, Experience And Training
- Travel Training (ECO) In The Community
- Community Experiences and Participation
- Development Of Appropriate Social And Communication Skills
- Accessing Community Sites and Adult Educational Settings
- Connection of young adults with appropriate resources and agencies
