6) IDEA accounts for related services. Related services include a variety of services. Transportation is one significant related service. However, developmental, corrective and other supportive services as mandated by IDEA. Such related services include a variety of different ones, from speech-language pathology and audiology services to occupational therapy, counseling, and orientation and mobility services. These services are mandated because they may be necessary to help children with disability to enhance their chances for benefiting from special education. Such services also help foster the early identification and assessment of any disabling condition in a child. This is important because the earlier the child is assessed as disabled, the quicker special education intervention services can begin. This will enable the child to develop in a manner that maximizes their chances to benefit from special education.5) The under-representation of culturally and linguistically diverse students in gifted programs and their overrepresentation in disability categories is cause for controversy because many view this as a sign of exclusion. IDEA underscores the changing demographic of American society, with increasing numbers of culturally and linguistically diverse students as the reality. However, public education still lags behind the reality of this demographic in ways that often fail to promote the highest levels of achievement among this growing sector of students. Many individuals argue that policies of exclusion and policies that do not embrace cultural and linguistic diversity are to blame for the lower representation of such students in gifted programs. erences and special interests. Finally, transition services are to include instruction, related services, community experiences, development of occupational and adult living goals, and when possible help with daily living skills. 10) The classroom teacher can do a great deal to assist the speech |
