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Resources Assistive Technology Programs and Services
Child Find Parents of children, who are concerned about their child’s development, may contact the Special Education Office to request a screening or an evaluation. Physicians are also encouraged to assist in finding eligible students.
State Department Of Education: www.doe.mass.edu Provides information regarding procedures, responsibilities, regulations and parents rights relative to Special Education (includes links to the Federal Regulations). Collaboratives: Offer an array of programs for general and special education students. PAC: Parent Advisory Committee A parental support group for special education parents within the Dover Sherborn school district.
BOOKS ON TAPE/CD: Literature, in the form of novels and plays are presented in a tape/CD form. Multiple genres and authors are available to the student, relative to the grade curriculum at the high school. DRAGONSPEAK: A computer-based text reader software which the student speaks directly into. The spoken words are then presented in print on the computer screen. KURZWEIL: An electronic text-reader, which has the ability to highlight, edit, read and take notes from a given piece of text which is scanned into the computer. WORD PROCESSOR: Students are afforded the opportunity to use a word processor to type answers to open-response questions, essay questions, etc. In addition, students may utilize the spell-check device if part of their educational plan. CALCULATOR: Students have access to mathematical calculation through the use of a calculator, which the student may use for routine instruction and/or on assessments if part of their educational plan.
In addition to Academic Support, the following programs and services are offered; In Class Support, Occapational Therapy, and Speech and Language Therapy. Academic Support Academic Support is offered in the Learning Center as a concurrent program with that of the general education curriculum. The Learning Center is a resource for student learning. In this classroom, students are instructed in the content of individual academic areas. The basis of the individualized worked is determined by the goals and objectives identified in each student’s IEP. Varied models of instruction are utilized to support student progress. The physical environment and tone of the Learning Center encourages independent learning, cooperative learning, as well as small group and one to one instruction. Some of the strategies that are addressed during Academic Support include:
This program includes direct instruction, monitoring and transitioning to post-secondary settings. Inclusion/In Class Support Special education staff work within the general education classroom to provide support to student’s with a wide variety of diagnosed disabilities. The staff works to provide strategies that accommodate and support all learners. Special education and general education teachers collaborate on techniques that assist in differentiation of instruction. Occupational Therapy Occupational Therapy is considered a related service in a school system. A student must be found eligible for special education or a 504 accommodation plan to receive occupational therapy interventions. The focus of occupational therapy is to assist a student in accessing the curriculum. Once the team determines that a student is eligible for services, the occupational therapist identifies the skills that the student needs to develop and/or compensate for and the strategies necessary to function independently in the school environment. The intervention uses purposeful activities and can occur in a various service delivery models: one to one, small group, or consultation with the team, individual teachers, students and parents. Speech and Language Therapy The role of the Speech and Language Pathologist is to evaluate and remediate receptive and expressive language skills in young adults. Overall goals are to improve language comprehension and expression utilizing curriculum based materials and instruction including assistive technology. Goals focus on the development of the following skills: Receptive Language · short and long term memory, word finding and auditory processing skills · auditory comprehension and reading comprehension · following oral and written direction and instruction · learning strategies · meta-cognitive strategies Expressive Language · pragmatic skills or social skills · fluency · voice · written language a) form – grammar and punctuation b) content – vocabulary , semantics, figurative language and organization c) use- written expression, style Indirect Services · in-class language support (cueing, organizing, note-taking, clarifying, modeling, re-stating directions, coaching, team teaching) · consulting with special ed. Staff · consulting with general ed. Staff · team in-services · report writing
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