Related Services

Adapted Physical Education (APE) is an alternative physical education program that involves modifications and/or accommodations for students within the regular physical education program. Adapted PE programs are usually provided directly in the general education PE class.  If you have questions about APE, please contact your child’s case manager.

A hearing itinerant provides specialized special education services to students who are deaf or hard of hearing across the district. They conduct and assist with evaluations, assess students’ academic and auditory strengths and needs, participate in IEP development and placement recommendations, and provide direct instruction within general education settings. They also collaborate with families and multidisciplinary teams and offer consultative support to staff. 

ISBE Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlinD, Visually Impaired Resources

Occupational therapy (OT) services for students with special needs are determined through the IEP process. School-based occupational therapy is available for students who are eligible for special education services. Occupational therapists complete assessments and work with other members of the school-based team to help determine what is needed for a student to receive a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. They collaborate with other members of the education team to identify a student’s annual goals and determine the services, supports, modifications, and accommodations that are required for the student to achieve these goals. When the IEP team determines that occupational therapy is needed for a student in order to meet his or her annual goals, then occupational therapy should be included in the student’s IEP.

Based on ISBE guidance, school-based OT services focus on enhancing a student’s independence and participation in educational programming by developing skills related to self-care, fine motor and written communication, academics, social participation, and daily living activities, while also adapting the environment, routines, and tasks as needed.

ISBE Recommended Practices for Occupational Therapy Services

Our district-based physical therapist (PT) works as part of the educational team to assist the student in benefiting from their educational program. This includes the ability to move safely throughout the school environment, maintain sitting and standing postures, and participate in various motor activities at school.

Based on ISBE Guidance, school-based physical therapist services support a student’s physical access and participation in the school environment by improving mobility, posture, endurance, motor skills, and overall functional movement, often through physical capacity building, assistive technology, and environmental modifications to maximize independence and engagement throughout the school day.

ISBE Recommended Practices for Physical Therapy Services

School psychologists are knowledgeable about child development, mental health, education, and learning. Their training allows them to provide a broad range of services within schools. Through collaboration with teachers, parents, and other professionals, school psychologists work toward meeting the individual social-emotional and academic needs of each student. School psychologists are active participants on support teams that use a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework to identify areas of concern, collect and analyze relevant information, and develop strategies and interventions to help all students be successful. Psychological services include the following: consultation, evaluation, prevention, evaluation, and data-based decision-making and accountability.

Speech-Language Pathology services are provided by speech-language pathologists to address the needs of students with disabilities that affect speech and/or language skills. Students may receive speech-language services as a primary service (under a “speech-only” IEP) or as a related service. Students are eligible to receive speech-language services when they demonstrate a disability that impacts educational functioning. Speech and language services include the following:

• Screening, evaluation, and diagnosis of children with speech and/or language impairments
• Provision of speech and language services
• Counseling and guidance for parents, children, and teachers regarding speech impairments
• Consultation with private providers to support students within the public school setting

School social workers work with students to support their social-emotional and behavioral needs within the school setting when there is an adverse impact on educational functioning. Social work services in schools include the following:

• Individual and small group sessions to address social-emotional needs
• Preventative, classroom-based instruction to support student needs
• Partnering with school and community resources to provide support within the school environment
• Assisting in the development of positive intervention plans and strategy implementation
• Assessment through observation, standardized assessment, and interviews
• Preparing a social or developmental history of a child with a disability 

ISBE School Social Work Best Practices Guide

Some students may be eligible to receive special transportation to and from school as a related service, per their IEP. Students are typically eligible for special transportation if:

• The student attends a special education program that is not located at his/her school
• Due to his/her disability, he/she would be unable to get to school independently in an age-appropriate manner. Although not exhaustive, examples of disabilities that might prevent a student from getting to school independently include cognitive impairments, autism, and/or physical impairments that impact a student's gross motor skills/ability to ride the bus.

District 116 provides accessible and specialized transportation options for students based on their individual needs.

ISBE Transportation for Students with Disabilities and Special Health Care Needs

A Vision Itinerant provides specialized special education services to students who are blind or visually impaired across the district. They assist with evaluations by assessing students’ academic functioning and visual strengths and needs, participate in IEP development and placement recommendations, and provide direct instruction within general education settings. They also collaborate with families and multidisciplinary teams and offer consultative support to staff.

ISBE Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBline, Visually Impaired Resources