The state of California understands that parents who have children with special needs want what is best for them. This includes a quality education that comes with the services each child needs in order to flourish in school. What many parents may not know is just what types of services are available under the individualized education programs designed for their children.
Parents should be able to expect designated instructional services or related services from California’s education system, such as the following:
- Behavioral, physical, recreation, speech, language, specialized vision and occupational therapy
- Educationally Related Intensive Counseling Services (ERICS) and Counseling and Educationally Related Mental Health Services (ERMHS)
- Organizational and social skills training
- Vocational and Rehabilitation Therapy, Career Development, Transitional Services
- Orientation, mobility and audiological assistance
- Adapted physical education and assistive technology
- Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) services
- Community based and home hospital instruction
- Transportation services that includes any necessary specialized equipment
The above are only some of the services that the school district in a particular family’s area should provide. Other services may be available depending on a child’s needs. Parents and guardians may also receive some services that will help them assist their special needs children at home and in school.
Parents may believe that all they have to do is ask for these or other services for their special needs children, but it is not always that simple. There will be numerous steps to go through before a school district will agree, and sometimes, not even then. It may be necessary for parents to take additional action in order to get their children what they need in order to obtain a good education under individualized education programs. Under these circumstances, it would likely help to work with an attorney with extensive experienced in special education law.