Other Services Provided

What is Transition?

The St. Landry Parish School System collaborates with the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Early Steps Program to provide special instruction services to children, birth to three years of age who have an identified developmental delay or disability.  Special instruction includes individualized, planned and strategic intervention emphasizing skill development within the context of a child and family's typical routines and daily activities, using naturally occurring learning opportunities.  Special instruction utilizes teaching strategies for the unique developmental needs of the child and outcomes identified on the IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan).  Services are provided in the home, daycare, or other community settings.  When a child reaches at least 2 years, six months of age, the Early Steps Program and the School System participate in a transition process to inform parents of possible services offered after age three.  If a child is determined eligible for services through the Pupil Appraisal Evaluation, the school system will offer services to address the specific needs of the child.

Educational Diagnosticians  

Educational Diagnosticians administer individual standardized test batteries and work collaboratively with educators to determine eligibility of students for special education services. They prescribe diagnostic-prescriptive interventions for exceptional learners and use standardized assessments to develop individual education programs.

School Psychologist 

School psychologists help children and youth succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. They collaborate with educators, parents, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments for all students that strengthen connections between home and school.

School Social Workers 

School social workers are the link between home, school, and community.  As members of the educational team comprised of teachers, administrators, pupil appraisal staff, and parents, school social workers promote and support students’ academic and social success by providing specialized services.

Speech/Language Pathology 

Speech/Language Pathology Services include the identification and diagnosis of students with speech or language impairments. Pathologists provide speech and language services for the habilitation of communication. They are also responsible for providing counseling and guidance of parents, students, and teachers and initiating referrals to medical or other professionals.

Adapted Physical Education 

Adapted physical education is an essential part of the basic educational program and contributes to the development of the total individual.  Adapted physical education is specially designed physical education of students with disabilities who may not safely or successfully engage in unrestricted participation in vigorous activities of the regular physical education program.  Services provided by the A.P.E. program include conducting gross motor assessments, developing individualized education programs and teaching fundamental motor skills to students age 3 through 21.

Audiology 

Audiologists are educated and trained to evaluate and treat hearing and listening disorders.  An Audiologist in the school setting performs educationally relevant hearing tests for preschool through high school age students.  The Audiologist collaborates with parents, teachers, and community agencies, provides training to parents, school personnel, and children on hearing loss, hearing aids and other listening devices.

Counseling 

St. Landry Parish offers counseling services to teachers, parents, and students to develop positive achievement in academic, personal, and social adjustment.  Counseling takes place individually and/or in small groups.  The Pupil Appraisal counselor plays a vital role in assisting students to experience maximum academic and personal success throughout education.  The counselor assists students in acquiring and using life-long learning skills, communication, self-awareness, relationship skills, social skills, and anger management.

Gifted/Talented 

The Gifted Program is an educational program for students identified as gifted in grades K-12 enrolled in St. Landry Parish schools.  Pre-school candidates must be between the ages of 3 and 5.  Classes provided reflect a high degree of complexity and extend beyond the prescribed curriculum offered in regular classrooms.

 The Talented Arts Program is an educational program for students identified as talented in visual arts, music, or theatre in grades K-12 in the St. Landry Parish schools.  Classes provided in these disciplines are designed to provide experiences that enable the talented student to further develop demonstrated skills, increase discipline knowledge, and grow as an artist.

Occupational Therapy 

Occupational therapy is a "...supportive service required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education...". Students who receive occupational therapy services in the school setting exhibit a need for intervention to be successful  academically and socially. Some children require a modified curriculum and/or additional assistance to achieve mastery in these areas. Occupational therapy interventions may include adaptations, teaching strategies, therapeutic exercise, and play-based strategies to support the achievement of educational goals. Areas addressed by occupational therapists may include fine motor and visual motor development, sensory integration, and self-help skills.

Physical Therapy 

Physical therapy is a related service that includes the evaluation of students with disabilities for neurophysiological, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, and sensorimotor functions.  Physical therapists plan and implement treatment strategies for students based on evaluation findings.  The goal of physical therapy in the school is to improve, maintain, and/or slow the rate of regression of the motor functions of a student to enable him/her to function in the educational environment.  Physical therapists also administer and supervise therapeutic management of students by recommending equipment and providing training to parents and educational personnel.