Q: What are considered School Age Disabilities?
A: Autism, Deaf-blindness, Deafness, Emotional Disturbance, Hearing Impairment, Intellectual Disability, Multiple Disability, Orthopedic Impairment, Other Health Impairment, Specific Learning Disability, Speech or Language Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, Visual Impairment including Blindness
Q: What Special Education programs or support does the Allentown School District provide for a student with School Age Disabilities?
A: Autistic Support, Emotional Support, Hearing Impaired Support, Learning Support, Life Skills Support, Multiple Disabilities Support, Speech/Language Support, Vision Support. Related services include speech/language, occupational therapy, physical therapy and nursing services according to a doctor's prescription.
Q: What does this mean for my child in ASD?
A: IEP teams will consider the full range of services, starting with regular education and including the modification of the curriculum content, before contemplating a more restrictive setting. School-age programs are available for students ages 5 to 21. Full day school-age programs focus on academic development and access to the general education curriculum.
Given written consent, a child begins the recommended school-age program and IEP is implemented at the start of the school year. The IEP must be updated at least annually, or sooner if a team member (including parent/guardian) recommends a revision.
Q: What are the levels of support my child can receive in ASD?
A: Levels or the continuum of support include:
- Itinerant - students are included with typical peers for at least 80% of the school day
- Supplemental - Students are included with typical peers for 20-79% of the school day
- Full-Time - Students are included with typical peers 0-19% of the school day
Q: My child is about to register for Kindergarten. How will ASD determine if my child needs Special Education Services?
A: Once a child is enrolled in the district, ASD staff will review to determine eligibility. Your child can be recommended for a seamless transition, evaluation or reevaluation.