When determining which services our kids need, we often find ourselves wondering about things like whether the school is providing enough of a service. Can we be trained on what our kids are doing so we can support them at home? Are schools allowed to cut services because “all services are supposed to fade out?” What services are even available? Where’s the menu?!
We want our kids to get the support they need, but it’s hard to know what that can entail when we’re not even sure what’s out there. Related services are specialized supports that a child needs to meet their educational goals that are written into the IEP. Related services can range from transportation services to therapies to parent training to social skills groups at school.
Can parents request materials like visual aids and other tools and strategies used at school to continue to support their child at home? YES, so consider writing this into your IEP!
We want to give you a peek into what a menu of related services can look like (because there are so many variations!) and how to request them in an IEP. Plus, the top three related services that are most underutilized: parent counseling and training, an inclusion specialist, and school therapies that supplement private therapies.
- Did you know that parent counseling and training can be written into the IEP as a related service? Dr. Sarah Pelangka, BCBA-D, reminds us that parents can ask the school to share the tools and strategies being used in the classroom so that we can carry over the same accommodations and/or modifications at home. Read more in our article What Are Related Services in an IEP?
- To dive deeper into some of the specific services that can be written into IEPs to help our kids access their education, check out our articles on assistive technology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, 1:1 aides and paraeducators, nursing services, and transition services.
- Another underutilized IEP related service: inclusion specialists (credentialed special education teachers) — which Dr. Pelangka calls “hidden gems.” Find out why you might want to request one in our article 5 Tips to Help Parents Request Services in an IEP.
- Deciphering the differences between school- and clinic-based services can be tricky, but one thing to remember: we shouldn’t have the expectations that private therapies look the same as school-based ones. We break down what you need to know in The Difference Between School-Based and Clinic-Based Services.
If you’re requesting a new related service, you’ll need an assessment to determine that need (even if you’re not sure whether your child would benefit from a specific related service). Read more about requesting assessments in our article IEP Assessments 101.
IHSS Under Age 18
If your child qualifies for In-Home Supportive Services, how do you know whether you’re making the most of those services? What do you do if IHSS denies your request for more hours? How do you get set up as your child’s paid parent provider? Did you realize you can get paid for additional trainings?!
Bring all these questions and more to our live event on November 30th, where Undivided Public Benefits Specialist Lisa Concoff Kronbeck will bring her expert insight to help us get a handle on all things IHSS. Register for the event here!
On Wednesday, October 18, 12:00–1:00 p.m. PDT, Education Advocate Lisa Carey will be available to answer questions about IEPs and special education. Bi-weekly Office Hours are virtual Q&A sessions with experts that are open to Undivided members only, so if you’d like to attend, sign up here to begin your free Kickstart!
Does your child receive occupational therapy at school? Learn why you may want to request this service! Watch on YouTube→- See at a glance what related services your child’s school should offer. Check it out on Instagram→
- Thanks to all the parents who joined our live Facebook Group chat with Navigator Jen last week! To participate in our next “Ask a Navigator,” join our private Facebook group →
- Looking for an easy way to share Undivided’s many resources? Share about us on LinkedIn→
- Whether your child receives therapies at school, a clinic, or both, you can keep all their relevant documents organized with your Undivided binder. Start here→
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This newsletter was originally sent to our subscribers on 10/19/23. Subscribe to our newsletter to get more resources like this in your inbox, or check out our full library of articles, templates, and videos at undivided.io/resources.
