Types of Related Services 

Audiology

Audiologists identify hearing loss, study how the brain processes sound, and determine the range, nature and degree of hearing loss. They also provide rehabilitative intervention to improve students’ ability to communicate and participate in educational activities. 

School audiologists select and fit students for equipment and evaluate its effectiveness. They also repair and maintain equipment and educate students and teachers on how to use and maintain the devices.

Behavioral Support Services

Social workers and other mental health professionals work with children on issues they face at school, at home, in the community and elsewhere that affect their ability to participate in and benefit from their education. Delivered mostly by social workers, these services can include group or individual counseling, home visits, and social, emotional and behavioral assessments. 

School social workers work with teachers to analyze student behavior and functioning over time in order to develop strategies that help maximize learning in the classroom. These social workers also connect students and families with community resources to maximize the impact of in-school behavioral support services and are part of the Crisis Response Team, which supports students and school staff when a crisis occurs.

Speech-Language Pathology

Speech language pathologists identify children with specific disorders and delays related to language and communication, and provide therapy to help these students overcome the impact of these challenges on their academic success. This may include the use of technology to help students become more independent, such as devices that assist non-verbal students with communication. 

Speech language pathologists work closely with teachers and parents to build speech-language skills and help students apply those skills to all learning opportunities by reinforcing strategies in the classroom and at home.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists work with students and teachers to improve students’ ability to perform day-to-day tasks, such as reaching and grasping skills so they can better hold books and classroom materials. These are known as fine motor skills related to dexterity and coordination. 

Occupational therapy services also help address the needs of children as related to self-help skills, adaptive behavior and play, and sensory and motor skills. These skills can include drawing, the use of scissors and hand-eye coordination. 

DCPS occupational therapists also work with teachers to help implement these strategies in the classroom, such as seating students in the classroom where they can learn most effectively.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapists help students with challenges related to movement, such as climbing stairs or moving from class to class. After diagnosing these challenges, they provide support, and sometimes, special equipment such as walkers to help students travel around the school.

Adapted Physical Education

Adapted Physical Education teachers adjust physical education (PE) activities for students with gross motor delay or deficits so they can safely participate in the physical education curriculum. Instruction may take place within the regular PE class to enable students to participate in the activity with their peers or within an individual lesson.

Orientation and Mobility

Orientation and Mobility specialists teach visually impaired students to achieve safe movement within their school, home and community by applying their other senses and using environmental cues and assistive devices, such as long canes, to determine their walking path. Developing these skills allows visually impaired students to function more independently and thereby expand their educational experiences.

Psychological Services

Psychologists usually support students and educators by giving psychological and developmental tests analyzing information about child behavior and cognitive functioning, and interpreting these results with school staff and parents. Psychologists generally do not directly deliver therapy. 

DCPS psychologists work with parents, teachers and other IEP team members to ensure that test results and other important information is used to develop goals and appropriate services and strategies to meet each student’s needs. School psychologists also help school staff and parents develop learning and behavior strategies for students engaged in the Student Support Team process.

Assistive Technology Devices

Assistive technology devices are any items, pieces of equipment, products or systems that are used to increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities. Assistive devices may be either high- or low-tech. Some examples of assistive technology include:

• Communication boards or cards with pictures, words or objects
• Word processing software with spell checkers or writing supports
• Keyboards with accessibility options
• Pencils or pens with adaptive grips
• Braille materials
• Walkers
• Modified utensils