Autistic Support: Services for students to address needs primarily in the areas of communication, social skills or behaviors consistent with those of autism spectrum disorders. The IEP for these students must address needs as identified by the team which may include, as appropriate, the verbal and nonverbal communication needs of the child; social interaction skills and proficiencies; the child’s response to sensory experiences and changes in the environment, daily routine and schedules; and the need for positive behavior supports or behavioral interventions.

Blind-Visually Impaired Support: Services for students with the disability of visual impairment including blindness, to address needs primarily in the areas of accessing print and other visually-presented materials, orientation and mobility, accessing public and private accommodations, or use of assistive technologies designed for individuals with visual impairments or blindness. For students who are blind or visually impaired, the IEP must include a description of the instruction in Braille and the use of Braille unless the IEP team determines, after the evaluation of the child’s reading and writing needs, and appropriate reading and writing media, the extent to which Braille will be taught and used for the student’s learning materials.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Support: Services for students with the disability of deafness or hearing impairment, who require services to address needs primarily in the area of reading, communication, accessing public and private resources or use of assistive technologies designed for individuals with deafness or hearing impairment. For these students, the IEP must include a communication plan to address the language and communication needs, opportunities for direct communications with peers and professional personnel in the child’s language and communication mode, academic level, and full range of needs, including opportunities for direct instruction in the child’s language and communication mode; and assistive technology devices and services.

Emotional Support: Services for students with a disability who require services primarily in the areas of social or emotional skills development or functional behavior.  As part of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) is developed to implement a Positive Behavior Support Plan (PBSP) to address social or emotional needs of the student.

Learning Support: Services for students with a disability primarily in the areas of reading, writing, mathematics, or speaking or listening skills related to academic performance. Special and general education teachers collaborate on the supports and services for students when accessing the PA Common Core Curriculum and eligible content in the general education setting. Students work in cooperative learning groups as a strategy to assist in learning the grade level content. Services can be delivered in an inclusive setting or individually.

Life Skills Support: Services for students in the K-12 grade range with a disability primarily in the areas of academic, functional or vocational skills necessary for independent living. Transitional services for students at the high school level can include Business/Marketing, Consumer/Service, Construction/Industrial, Processing/Production and Computer/Technology. Functional skills content focus on self-help skills and community awareness toward independent living. In addition, students have the opportunity for on-the-job experiences.

Multiple Disabilities Support: Services for students with more than one disability causing a severe impairment in the areas of academic, health, functional or vocational skills necessary for independent living. Focus is given to basic concepts for literacy including science, social studies and literature. Mathematical skills include number concepts, identifying shapes, money and concepts of time. Other related services can include occupational therapy, physical therapy, health services and speech and language. Strategies for communicating can include real objects, sign language, pictures or switch communicators.

Speech and Language Support: Services primarily in the areas of communication or use of assistive technologies designed to provide or facilitate the development of communication capacity or skills. Speech and language pathologists work on the following communication needs: expressive and receptive language skills, social language skills, articulation, fluency, voice, and augmentative communication skills which can include assistive technology devices.

Chapter 15 Services 504 Plan: A student who qualifies for a 504 Plan has a physical or mental impairment that may substantially limit one or more of the following major life activities when compared to other peers. These major life activities could include caring for oneself, speaking, breathing, performing manual tasks, seeing, learning, walking and hearing. A written agreement sets forth specific related aides, services or accommodations to be provided in the student’s educational setting to the maximum extent possible.

Gifted and Accelerated Program: A student who is mentally gifted has outstanding intellectual and creative ability, whose development requires specially designed programs or support services, or both, not ordinarily provided in the regular education program. Curriculum or instruction is delivered at an accelerated or enriched level, or both, which are appropriate options. The options provided to gifted students must enable them to learn at different rates, to learn difficult material earlier, and to think at a level different from their classmates.