Occupational and Physical Therapy Services
Occupational and physical therapy services are provided to students who, in addition to their primary disability, have additional physical needs that impair their classroom functioning. These physical needs may be the result of a known cause such as cerebral palsy, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, progressive neurological diseases or any number of known physical disabilities. Occupational and physical therapists may suggest accommodations or modifications that can be tried in the classroom or may address remediation of deficit areas through direct treatment.
Traditionally, occupational therapists are concerned with improving fine motor skills, whereas physical therapists are traditionally concerned with improving gross motor skills, total body movement, muscle tone and coordination, balance and equilibrium.
School Psychology Services
School psychologists have specialized training in both psychology and education. They use their training and skills to collaborate with educators, parents and other mental health professionals to ensure that every child learns in a safe, healthy and supportive environment. School psychologists tailor their services to the particular needs of each child and each situation. School psychologists are typically involved in activities such as consultations, assessments, intervention, prevention, education as well as research and planning.
SESE assigns a school psychologist to work in each of the districts in the cooperative area. In addition to the services listed, they also coordinate and monitor special education placements and provide guidance in developing appropriate educational plans for students with disabilities.
School Social Work Services
School social workers have specialized training in group, family and individual counseling. They use their training to identify factors that can make school a more successful experience for students with disabilities. School social workers diagnose problems, arrange for services, counsel children in trouble and help integrate students with disabilities into the general education setting. In addition, they address problems such as misbehavior in class, socialization, learning difficulties and developmental delays.
School Social Workers also complete Social Developmental studies, attend eligibility and IEP meetings, provide consultative services to school staff, and act as a liaison between parents, schools and outside agencies. They also conduct groups to enhance social skills, motivation, and self-esteem.
SESE assigns a school social worker to work in each district in the cooperative area. In addition to the services listed above, school social workers provide insights into how children develop socially and provide much needed assistance to the students served by SESE.
Speech and Language Pathology Services
Speech-Language pathologists have specialized training in servicing students with speech and language impairments. They are typically involved in activities such as prevention, identification, evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of communication disorders. These services can be provided to students individually or in small groups.
SESE Speech-Language Pathologists serve students in ECE, Moderate/Severe Intellectual Disability, Emotional Disability, and Autism self-contained classrooms. Speech-Language Pathologists are also involved in augmentative communication and innovative techniques in communication facilitation with students with severe communication delays and autism.
The goal of SESE speech pathologists is to provide individualized services for children whose speech and/or language skills interfere with his/her ability to learn in the classroom or communicate with others.
Transition Services
Transition services are provided for each student with a disability beginning at age 14 1/2. Teachers, counselors, and the SESE staff work with each student and his/her family to identify an employment goal, secondary education plans and where appropriate, independent living skills. Educational instruction, experiences, programs and assessments are provided that determine and relate to these future goals.
SESE employs one Pre-Vocational Coordinator that works with approximately 90 students in the Secondary Transition Employment Program (STEP). Two Job Coaches are employed to assist in the procurement of job sites as well as instructing and monitoring the development of specific job skills.
Prior to exiting the school system, students and families are assisted in making linkages to service providers and agencies available to assist adults with disabilities.
