Related services have been crucial for my military family throughout the challenges of frequent moves. Under §300.34 of IDEA, services like speech therapy, school counseling, and occupational therapy from school personnel to community therapists have supported my son’s continuity of care.
How Related Services Have Helped My Family
Related services have been part of my family’s life for over a decade through three permanent change of stations (PCSs). Each time we PCS, it causes a wave of uncertainty and fear. Will the next duty station be able to provide my children with the services they’ve been receiving? How long will it take to continue care? When my son was five, his Pre-K teacher raised concerns about his articulation and stuttering, leading to a 504 Plan. Later, he was diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and anxiety in third grade and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) in fifth grade, prompting the creation of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) with related services like counseling, occupational therapy, and social work. Each diagnosis brought together a team to ensure my son’s needs were met.
Accessing Related Services Inside and Outside the Classroom
Through years of experience, I’ve learned that related services provide children with disabilities with additional support from inside and outside the classroom. When a school district does not have a specific related service provider on their staff, they typically contract those services out to a private provider. For example, my child’s school doesn’t have an occupational therapist on site. Because occupational therapy is one of the related services written in his IEP, a local occupational therapist who partners with the school came to evaluate and work with him twice a week.
Helping with Continuity of Care During a PCS
Receiving related services outside the school can benefit a military family, often on the move. I’ve been able to request records of my child’s related services and call around at the next duty station to schedule appointments before moving. Continuing the related services, even if they are outside of the school for the time being at the next duty station, still helps with continuity of care. While it can take months for a new school to hold an IEP meeting, it has benefited us to lean on Tricare to help bridge that gap by scheduling therapy outside the school. It can be challenging, as we have experienced extended waitlists like many other military families, but we have also turned to telehealth when needed.
Understanding the Full Scope of Related Services under IDEA
Many providers offer additional related services for eligible children with disabilities. View a full list under §300.34 of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). Related services include a wide range of specialized assistance. For now, let’s explore a few of the related services that are not already mentioned above.
Hearing and Vision Support Services
Audiology services include identifying and assessing hearing loss in children, including referrals for medical support. These services also provide habilitative activities such as auditory training, speech reading, and language development. If a private audiologist has diagnosed a child with auditory processing disorder, then the school audiologist may work with a speech pathologist or other related service providers on recommended therapies and best practices in the classroom. Additionally, audiologists determine the need for hearing aids, ensure proper fitting, and evaluate their effectiveness.
Interpreting services support children who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind by ensuring effective communication in educational settings. These services include oral and cued language transliteration, sign language interpreting, and transcription methods like CART, C-Print, and TypeWell. Specialized interpreting services are available for deaf-blind children to meet their communication needs.
Orientation and mobility services help blind or visually impaired children navigate their surroundings safely at school, home, and in the community. These services teach essential skills such as using sensory information to maintain orientation, crossing streets safely, and understanding spatial concepts. Children may also learn to use a long cane, service animal, or low-vision aids to enhance mobility.
Rehabilitation Counseling and School Health Services: Preparing for the Future
Rehabilitation counseling services help students with disabilities develop career skills, prepare for employment, and achieve independence in the workplace and community. These services may be provided individually or in groups by qualified professionals and include vocational rehabilitation programs funded under the Rehabilitation Act. School health services ensure that children with disabilities receive the medical support they need to access Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) as outlined in their IEP. A school nurse or another qualified healthcare professional may provide these services.
Transportation services for children with disabilities ensure safe and accessible travel to and from school and between school locations. These services also include assistance with movement within school buildings to support students’ mobility needs. Specialized equipment, such as adapted buses, lifts, and ramps, may accommodate students requiring special transportation.
The Importance of IDEA-Related Services for Military Families and Children with Disabilities
Understanding the broad range of related services available under IDEA has allowed our family to effectively plan for my child’s needs, ensuring he receives the support required to succeed. Whether through audiology, interpreting services, or rehabilitation counseling, the opportunities provided by related services give these students the support and tools to access an education. These services offer a crucial lifeline for military families, ensuring that care continues even during transitions. With the right resources, military children with disabilities can thrive despite the obstacles they face.
About the Author
Carly Brinsko, Lead Program Manager & Content Manager
Carly Brinsko is the Lead Program Manager and Content Manager of Partners in PROMISE. She is a devoted mother to two children, Colton and Wyatt. Currently residing near Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Carly’s fondest duty station memory is from Fort Knox, Kentucky, where she cherished the small-town atmosphere and warm southern hospitality. Carly holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, which she earned in 2006. From 2007-2010, she dedicated herself to pursuing a Master’s Degree in School Counseling while working full-time and graduated with honors, showcasing her steadfast commitment to personal growth. As a former educator and school counselor, Carly possesses firsthand experience in addressing the challenges of navigating special education. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and a subsequent PCS move, Carly took on the role of homeschooling her children. Currently, she is a project manager for BAE Systems, Inc.
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