IEP Supports and Services

IEP Supports and Services - Supplementary aids to support your child:

When a child is disabled, she may have physical impairments which prevent access to general curriculum. A blind child requires braille books, a child who is unable to talk requires a talking computer to communicate "verbally", or a child who is incapable of holding a pencil may require a scribe to write for them. A child may have less obvious needs such as a word processor for writing, color overlays for reading, or a "sensory diet" to provide enough stimuli to allow the child to concentrate on learning. Any aid required by the child in order to learn would be called a "Supplementary Aid".

A child may also require specific services. If a child has physical impairments that interfere with learning, such as an inability to hold a pencil or inability to speak properly, a child can receive occupational therapy, speech therapy, or physical therapy. If a child needs therapy, goals would be developed in the IEP Goals section for specific areas of need and the therapy would be designated as a required supplementary service in this section of the IEP.

ANY need a child has in order to functionally participate in his education must be provided through the IEP. Services such as a nursing aide, who tends to medical needs during schooling, vision therapy, special camps, etc. may be provided to a child. The services must be educationally necessary in some way.

When a child would regress significantly and be unable to make up lost ground at the beginning of the following school year, summer camps or summer tutoring services may be needed to maintain gains in physical, social, or intellectual skills. These types of services are provided as "Extended School Year" (ESY).

ESY services can be provided any time—before school, after school, during holidays, or breaks. They can include tutoring for specific academic topics, specialized groups for social interactions, activities for developing motor skills, etc.

Start thinking about supplementary aids and services for your child.
• What does your child NEED to make learning accessible?
• Is there a piece of assistive technology that will improve her learning?
• Has your child had an "Assistive Technology Evaluation"?

If your child has not had an A.T. evaluation.. Write your school a letter kindly requesting an "Assistive Technology Evaluation" now. You will need this information when you sit down with your IEP team to write your child's IEP.

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Supports & Services