Related Services
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Laurel Public Schools provides a variety of related services when they are determined by the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team to be necessary for a student with a disability to access, participate in, and benefit from their educational program.
School-based related services are educationally focused and differ from services provided in medical or private clinical settings. These services are not intended to replace private therapies or medical treatment. Instead, they are designed to remove barriers to learning and support each student's ability to make meaningful educational progress in the least restrictive environment.
Related service providers work collaboratively with students, families, teachers, administrators, and other educational professionals to evaluate student needs, develop appropriate interventions, monitor progress, and support educational success.
Occupational Therapy (OT)
Occupational therapy supports students in developing the functional skills needed to participate successfully in school. Services may include:
- Fine motor development
- Handwriting and written communication
- Visual-motor integration
- Sensory processing as it relates to learning
- Self-care skills required in the educational setting
- Classroom participation and organization
- Adaptive equipment and assistive technology
- Environmental modifications
Physical Therapy (PT)
Physical therapy focuses on improving a student's ability to safely and independently access the educational environment. Services may include:
- Gross motor development
- Functional mobility
- Balance and coordination
- Positioning and seating
- Adaptive equipment
- Mobility throughout school buildings and campus
- Participation in classroom and school activities
Speech-Language Pathology (SLP)
Speech-language services support students whose communication needs impact their educational performance. Services may include:
- Speech sound production (articulation and phonology)
- Expressive and receptive language
- Social communication (pragmatic language)
- Fluency
- Voice disorders
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
- Feeding and swallowing services when educationally necessary and within the scope of school-based practice
Vision Services
Students with visual impairments receive specialized services designed to provide equal access to instruction and school activities.
Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI)
A Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments provides specialized instruction to support students who are blind or have low vision. Services may include:
- Instruction in compensatory academic skills
- Use of assistive technology
- Access to accessible educational materials
- Adaptations for classroom instruction
- Organizational and independent learning skills
- Collaboration with school staff and families
Braille Instruction
When determined appropriate through evaluation and the IEP Team process, students who are blind or visually impaired receive instruction in Braille. The IEP Team considers each student's present and future literacy needs when determining whether Braille instruction is appropriate, consistent with IDEA requirements.
Orientation and Mobility (O&M)
Orientation and Mobility services help students who are blind or visually impaired travel safely and independently within school, home, and community environments. Services may include:
- Safe travel techniques
- Cane skills
- Environmental awareness
- Spatial concepts
- Navigation within school buildings
- Community travel skills
- Independent mobility instruction
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
Students who are deaf or hard of hearing may receive specialized instruction and support to ensure effective communication and equal access to educational opportunities. Services are individualized based on each student's communication needs and educational goals and may include:
- Consultation from a Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Listening and spoken language support
- American Sign Language (ASL) support, when appropriate
- Auditory skill development
- Speech and language support
- Classroom accommodations
- Assistive listening devices and hearing technology
- Collaboration with audiologists and educational staff
School Psychology Services
School psychologists provide services that support students' academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and mental health needs. Services may include:
- Comprehensive evaluations
- Behavioral assessments
- Consultation with staff and families
- Counseling support
- Crisis intervention
- Progress monitoring
- Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA)
Nursing Services
School nurses provide health-related services that allow students with disabilities to safely access their educational program. Services may include:
- Medication administration
- Individual Health Care Plans (IHPs)
- Emergency Care Plans (ECPs)
- Medical procedures prescribed by a physician
- Health monitoring
- Staff training
- Emergency response planning
Transportation
Specialized transportation may be provided when necessary for a student to access their educational program. Transportation services are determined by the IEP Team based on the student's individual disability-related needs.
Assistive Technology
Students may receive assistive technology devices and services when necessary to access instruction and participate in educational activities. These supports may include communication devices, specialized software, adapted equipment, and other technology that increases independence and educational access.
Collaborative Service Delivery
Related services may be provided through direct instruction, consultation, collaboration with educators, classroom observations, staff training, environmental modifications, or recommendations for specialized equipment and support. The frequency, duration, and location of services are determined individually by the IEP Team based on each student's educational needs.
Laurel Public Schools is committed to providing high-quality, collaborative related services that support students in developing the academic, communication, motor, sensory, social, and functional skills necessary to achieve success in school and prepare for future education, employment, and independent living.