Related Services Research for Students With Low-Incidence Disabilities

2000 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 230-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael F. Giangreco

When speech-language pathologists provide educationally related services for students with low-incidence disabilities who are placed in inclusive classrooms, they are asked to work with a variety of other adults. The ways in which these adults make decisions about individualizing a student’s educational program, determine related services, and coordinate their activities have an impact on educational outcomes for students as well as on interprofessional interactions. This article summarizes a team process for making related services decisions called VISTA (Vermont Interdependent Services Team Approach) and a series of nine research studies pertaining to the use and impact of VISTA. It also addresses related topics, such as team size, consumer perspectives, and paraprofessional supports. Five major implications from these studies are offered concerning (a) developing a disposition of being an ongoing learner, (b) developing a shared framework among team members, (c) having a research-based process to build consensus, (d) clarifying roles, and (e) increasing involvement of families and general education teachers.

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren M. Keaney

The inclusion of students with disabilities in general education settings has increased particularly since 2004 due to the least restrictive environment provisions outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). However, research has shown that general education teachers are ill prepared to teach students with disabilities, especially those with severe or low incidence disabilities. The current study explored the knowledge and skills required of general education teachers seeking to include students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). We interviewed experienced teachers of students with I/DD to gain insight into such competencies. Participants were three educators (two teachers and one school director) in an elementary school for students with special needs. The participants discussed teaching methods and curriculum considerations relevant to including students with I/DD in general education settings. Data were analyzed utilizing pattern coding to generate categories and larger themes. Discussion and implications of these findings are offered.


1996 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 135-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael F. Giangreco ◽  
Susan W. Edelman ◽  
Tracy E. Luiselli ◽  
Stephanie Z. C. MacFarland

This quasi-experimental (pretest/posttest) study explored the use of (Vermont Interdependent Services Team Approach) (VISTA) with 11 educational teams serving students with multiple disabilities. Information about VISTA, a process to facilitate consensus decision making about support services (i.e., type, mode, frequency), was obtained by 75 team members through self-study. Following self-study the teams used VISTA to make support service decisions for students with multiple service needs. The findings of this study provide data regarding: (a) changes in team and individual decision making as a result of using VISTA, (b) the extent to which team members perceived that VISTA did what it purported to do (e.g., increase parental and general education involvement, decrease gaps, overlaps, and contradictions), and (c) changes in the teams' level agreement about which support services students need. Implications for future related service decision making are discussed.


2009 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Hurd

Abstract The team in IEP team is a necessity for students with complex communication needs. These students need the expertise of each team member to design a custom education that allows them to make progress towards state educational standards and build communication competence across curriculum areas. This article covers the strengths each team member brings to the IEP team. Parents bring a long-term perspective of the student; general education teachers bring their knowledge of what curriculum will be covered in the inclusion classroom; and special education teachers bring their training in working with and making adaptations for students with special needs. The article also focuses specifically on ways the speech-language pathologist contributes information on how language is used across the curriculum. A vital part of the role of the SLP on the IEP team is to pinpoint specific areas of language need and to provide teachers with ways to address those areas of need within their curriculum.


2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 82-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carole Zangari

Abstract To be successful, students who use AAC and attend general education classes require extensive supports and frequent practice with their communication systems. In this article, I explore the challenges faced by educational teams and discuss strategies for helping general education teachers, paraprofessionals, and others provide the AAC learning and practice opportunities these students need to maximize their communication skills and academic achievement.


2010 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 100-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay Kessel ◽  
Linda Sue Sickman

Abstract This study describes survey results measuring the knowledge undergraduate elementary education major students have about augmentative and alternative communication. Those students with experience and course knowledge surrounding AAC were more knowledgeable. Implications for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) will be addressed, including how SLPs can provide classroom teachers with classroom support for general education teachers.


2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beth Ashby Jones ◽  
Belinda Rudinger ◽  
Nichole Williams ◽  
Stephanie Witcher

Teacher knowledge of, and comfort with, assistive technology (AT) is key for student use of AT. Previous research identified the AT competencies needed for instructing students with visual impairments (VI) and level of competency required in each. The authors selected 20 of the competencies most appropriate for general education teachers instructing students with VI and investigated the impact of pre-service teacher training in AT on their self-rated competency levels. Pre-service teachers were given a pre-test (using qualitative and quantitative measures), trained in AT using a scavenger hunt in the AT Lab at the university where the study took place, and then completed a post-test of the same measures. Participants could name more AT software and devices on the post-test and viewed themselves as more competent with regards to the 20 SAT competencies.


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