ACCOMMODATIONS FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS: EPILEPSY

AND RELATED DISORDERS

Alex Fertig, Psy. D

Introduction of Topics

Creating a plan/School setting

Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS)

504

Special Education

Creating a plan

Executive Function: behavioral and metacognition deficiencies that prevent students from adapting to their academic environment (Gioia, Isquith, Guy & Kenworthy, 2000).

Getting involved

Who is involved

Delays in instruction

Home instruction/Catching up

Example of plan

One on One Nurse Keep student in a safe environment

PrincipalSecond person

Call nurse to room xx Check Vitals Appoint someone to AED-Other Assist in CPR Call 911 (main office) Keep Time

Third Person Crowd Control (move students out of the area if possible.) Contact the correct agencies to make a plan.

Modifications

Individuals with Disabilities Education (IDEA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Rehabilitation Act of 1973

I &RS

Intervention and Referral Services

I&RS

Almost half the states have a legal provision for general education interventions; which

indicates a need for interventions for students in the general education setting. (Zirkel 2011)

The Board of Education in the State of New Jersey has adopted rules to provide intervention and referral services (Vermeire, 2002).

The requirements within state regulations indicate that a team approach toward delivery systems of interventions to address the full range of student learning and behaviors in the academic-setting is needed in the school setting (Vermeire, 2002).

Members of the Interventions and Referral Service committee are drawn from the full range of educational personnel (Vermeire, 2002). Teachers, Administrators, Guidance Counselors as well as Child Study Team members on the I&RS team work together to provide interventions to general education students.

• I&RS teams are required to provide research based practice for interventions in a general education program (Vermeire, 2002).

• Furthermore, the I&RS team is mandated to develop the forms required to implement the I&RS process (Vermiere, 2002).

• Response to intervention (RTI)

ACCOMMODATION PLAN

504 Plan

Section of the Rehabilitation Act

Prohibits the discrimination against individuals with disabilities

Under the Department of Education

Office of Civil Rights(Renwick, 2012)

Eligibility 504

Definition

1. Physical or mental Impairment that affects major life activity.

2. Record of impairment.

3. Recognized as having the impairment.

Effect Major Life Activities

Examples: Hearing Speaking Breathing Seeing Learning etc…..

(Renwick, 2012)

504

Director of Special Services/Pupil Services

Section 504 Coordinator

Grievances

Office of Civil Rights

Examples of 504 team: Teacher Nurse Parent Child Study Team

Member

Modifications Modifications

Preferential Seating

Extended Time

Homework

Classwork

504 Modification

Common questions regarding 504

Funding

Can someone not follow a 504?

Special education classrooms

ADHD(Renwick, 2012)

INDIVIDUAL WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT

Special Education

School System

Right to a free and appropriate education

Least restrictive environment

Individualized educational program (IEP)

Procedural safe guards (decision making)

Evaluations(Rynolds & Gutkin, 1999)

Referral

Who can make a request to evaluate a student?

Parents

School

Related agencies

(Parental Rights in Special Education, 2009)

Evaluations

Initial Evaluation

Time line

Who evaluates?

Revaluation

Time line

Three years

Accommodations

Modifications in program

Placement (Co-Teaching, Resource Replacement, General Education, Private)

Individual Education Plan

Special Education Instructors

Child Study Team

School Psychologist

Social Worker

Learning Consultant

Parent

Teacher

TRANSITION

Outcomes

References

Gioia, G.A., Isquith, P., Guy, S., & Kenworthy, L.(2000). BRIEF Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function Professional Manual, Lutz, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc.

Renwick, G. (2012) SECTION 504 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS. Retrieved September 18 from www.trenton.k12.nj.us.sped/section_504.htm

Reynolds, C.R,. Gutkin, T.B,. (1999) The Handbook of School Psychology. New York, NY.: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Vermeire, G,. (2002) Resource Manual For Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS). Trenton, NJ.: New Jersey Department of Education.

Zirkel, P. (2001). State Laws and Guidelines for RTI: Additional Implementation Features. Communique Online. CQ Volume 39, Issue 7. Retrieved March 12, 2012 from http://www.nasponline.org/publications/cq/39/7/professional -practice-state-laws.aspx