California Area School District

Services for students with autism who require services to address needs primarily in the areas of communication, social skills, or behaviors consistent with those of autism spectrum disorder. The IEP for these students must address needs as identified by the team which may include, as appropriate, the verbal and nonverbal communication needs of the child; social interaction skills and proficiencies; the child's response to sensory experiences and changes in the environment, daily routine and schedules; and, the need for positive behavior supports or behavioral interventions.

A visual impairment, including blindness, indicates the impairment adversely affects a child’s educational performance. The term includes both partial sight and blindness.Services for students with  visual impairment including blindness, who require services to address needs primarily in the areas of accessing print and other visually-presented materials, orientation and mobility, accessing public and private accommodations, or use of assistive technologies designed for individuals with visual impairments or blindness. For students who are blind or visually impaired, the IEP must include a description of the instruction in Braille and the use of Braille unless the IEP team determines, after the evaluation of the child’s reading and writing needs, and appropriate reading and writing media, the extent to which Braille will be taught and used for the student’s learning materials.

Hearing Support Services are provided for students who have an identified impairment in hearing, whether permanent or fluctuating, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance. A child who meets the criteria for deafness demonstrates a hearing impairment so severe that the child is impaired in processing linguistic information through hearing, with or without amplification. Services for students with deafness or hearing impairment, who require services to address needs primarily in the area of reading, communication, accessing public and private accommodations or use of assistive technologies designed for individuals with deafness or hearing impairment. For these students, the IEP must include a communication plan to address the language and communication needs, opportunities for direct communications with peers and professional personnel in the child’s language and communication mode, academic level, and full range of needs, including opportunities for direct instruction in the child’s language and communication mode; and assistive technology devices and services.

Services for students with a disability who require services primarily in the areas of social or emotional skills development or functional behavior.

Learning support services are provided to students who demonstrate a disorder in understanding or in using language (spoken or written), reading, writing, and/or mathematics. Accommodations and modifications may be provided in the general education classroom. Students who need more intensive services may receive academic support and/or direct instruction in reading, math and writing through the learning support program.

The Life Skills Support Program provides specially designed instruction to students whose needs include functional academics, self-care, social skills, language development, communication, and perceptual motor skills. The program offers community-based instruction as well as vocational training experiences. Students who participate in the life skills program are included in the least restrictive environment to the fullest extent appropriate.

Services for students with more than one disability the result of which is severe impairment requiring services primarily in the areas of academic, functional or vocational skills necessary for independent living.

Students who demonstrate a need in articulation, fluency, language and auditory processing development receive speech and language support. Students are scheduled for individual and/or small group sessions according to age as well as the type and severity of the disorder.

Other Related Services are available to students who require such services to gain benefit from their educational program. These services may include: occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychological services, nursing services and guidance counseling services. Special transportation is also offered to students who are unable to access regular transportation services, due to the disability or the location of the special education program.

Occupational therapy focuses on the functional performance of the student to assist in making progress in the general education curriculum. Areas covered by occupational therapy may include self-help, sensory, fine motor and postural skills. Individual and/or small group therapy sessions as well as consultative services are provided according to student needs.

Physical therapy focuses on the natural opportunities for students to develop motor competence, balance and coordination in routine educational activities.

School social work services support students' academic and emotional success by promoting self-regulation and interpersonal skill development and addressing barriers related to mental health, family challenges, attendance, and social functioning. These services are typically limited to school-related concerns and involve collaboration with families, educators, and community agencies to connect students with appropriate supports.

School psychological services focus on supporting students’ learning, behavior, and mental health through assessment, intervention, and consultation. School psychologists work with educators, families, and students to promote academic success, address behavioral concerns, and support emotional well-being.

School nursing services promote student health and safety to support academic success by managing chronic conditions, providing first aid, and addressing health-related barriers to learning. School nurses also collaborate with families and staff to develop health plans, ensure compliance with immunization and health regulations, and respond to medical emergencies.