Special Education Programs
Continuum of Service Options
The Special Education program in the White River School District serves students from birth through twenty-one years of age. Children birth through two years of age are served through a contract with a community agency. Instructional and support services are delivered by special education teachers, school psychologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and paraprofessionals. In compliance with federal and state law, students with disabilities are served in the least restrictive environment to the maximum extent possible. All special education students at all district schools participate as appropriate in general education classrooms. Special education services include individualized specially-designed instruction in academic skills, adaptive skills (self-help; self-advocacy, community, independent living, etc.), communication and language skills, motor skills, social skills, behavior, and vocational skills. An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed at least annually for each special education student, and goals and objectives (where appropriate) are written based upon formal and informal testing and on-going quantitative data.
Support Services
Early Childhood Coordinator
Works with families and community birth to three agencies to transition students into our Early Childhood programs.
Vision Specialist, Braillist and Vision/Mobility Specialist
Works with visually impaired students at all levels.
Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP)
Works with students to improve deficient areas in communication skills.
School Psychologist
Coordinates assessment activities for students referred for Special Education services or in need of a three-year reevaluation. They assess in all academic areas, cognitive, behavioral and social/adaptive skill areas.
Occupational Therapist (OT) and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
Works with students to improve gross and fine motor skills.
Physical Therapist (PT)
Works with students to improve range of motion, gait, and other gross motor skills.
School Nurse
Assists school staff in the management of student medical needs.
Interpreter
Works with students with hearing impairments who need these services to access their educational program.
Paraprofessional and Unique Needs Specialist
Works with school staff in the classroom and the community to provide instructional programs.
District Special Education Programs
- Birth to Three. Infants and toddlers with disabilities are provided early intervention assistance through an outside agency.
- Developmental Pre-School. Children, ages 3-5, with developmental delays in communication, cognition, social-emotional, adaptive, and motor skills areas receive specially-designed instruction at the Early Learning Center. This is a half-day program.
- Resource Room (RR). Students receive specially-designed instruction in academic, behavior, and social areas as indicated on their evaluation from the RR staff/classroom and/or related service therapists.
- THRIVE program Students with emotional and behavioral disabilities receive specially-designed instruction in a self-contained setting. Opportunities for participation in the general education class will occur as designated in the IEP.
- LID program Students with moderate to severe disabilities receive specially designed instruction in all areas as indicated on their evaluations from the LID staff/classroom and/or related services. Opportunities for participation in the general education class will occur as designated in the IEP.
- WRSD Transition Students, ages 18-21, with significant disabilities receive on-going specially-designed instruction in the areas of community living and work training.
- Outside Agencies. Students, ages 3-21, receive specially-designed instruction in a setting outside of the District if the District is unable to provide an appropriate program to meet the student's needs.