The Special Education Program works as a team with a variety of professionals across multiple disciplines.

These team members may be a part of your child’s Individual Education Program, or IEP.

IEP team members may include:

· Classroom teacher

· Parents

· Speech-Language Pathologist

· Social Worker

· Occupational Therapist

· Physical Therapist

· Behavior Analyst

· School Psychologist

· Administrators

An IEP is a written legal document that is written annually for children who qualify for special education services. An IEP addresses students’ individual needs and services.

Team Members

Summit Hill

Administrative Center

20100 S. Spruce Drive

Frankfort, IL 60423

Phone: 815 469 9103

Fax: 815 469 0566

Your Child’s Special Education Program

An informative brochure on teaching methods and assessments including the VB-MAPP, ABLLS-R, AFLS, and IGLR.

Summit Hill School District 161

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact any one of your child’s team members including classroom teacher, school principal, director, social worker, speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, or behavior analyst.

Contact Information:

How often is my child assessed?Students are assessed once prior to their annual IEP. All assessment results and goals will be reviewed at this time. Testing once will show more growth over the course of the school year. A re-evaluation occurs every three years. A re-evaluation includes testing in areas of academic achievement and functional performance.

What is included in an IEP?An IEP includes present academic and functional levels, accommodations, measuring systems, supports, services, and transition plans.

What is a Behavior Intervention Plan?A BIP is a plan to address a behavior(s) of concern. This can include increasing appropriate behavior and/or decreasing inappropriate behaviors.

What are some additional resources?Your student’s classroom teachers have a list of outside resources that include clinical and in home therapies and trainings to assist special needs.

VB-MAPPThe Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP) is a skills tracking assessment that guides curriculum and assesses language & social skills.

ABLLS-RThe Assessment of Basic Learning and Language Skills- Revised is another skills tracking assessment that measures linguistic and functional skills to help guide curriculum and create goals.

Difference?These assessments differ slightly. The VB-MAPP has 170 skills to test that fall into 16 testing areas, which break into developmental milestones. The ABLLS-R has 544 skills to test and splits into 25 total testing areas.

Other AssessmentsYour child’s special education program may use other types of assessments to help locate areas that may be of need. These may include The Inventory of Good Learner Repertoires (IGLR), and the Assessment of Functional Living Skills (AFLS). You may ask any team member for more information.

AssessmentsTeaching Methods:

Special education programs may include a variety of teaching methods. Depending on the classroom and teacher, some teaching methods can include:

· Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)- process of applying specific interventions based upon the effects of the environment in a systematic way in order to increase socially significant behavior.

· Direct Instruction- process of teaching with straightforward instructions. Usually includes a teacher presenting information in front of the classroom.

· TEACCH- Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children. TEACCH relies on basic principles that aid students within their environment. These principles include: scheduling, visual & physical structure, routine, and work systems.

· Natural Environment Training- The process of utilizing the natural environment in a way to teach students’ how to respond appropriately and follow directions in an unstructured setting.

· Discrete Trial Teaching- A systematic method to present targets in a quick fashion in order to promote as many learning opportunities as possible.

Each method provides a variety of ways to target many skills that include academics, social skills, language, play, and self-help.

Q & A