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Understand the history of IDEA and its numerous reauthorizations; as well as understand the key elements to the 2004 reauthorization and impending legislative changes.

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Learn about the federal and state rules that govern school based therapy services i.e., IDEA, NCLB/ESEA, FERPA, FAPE and Illinois School Code

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Become familiar with nationwide trends in special education and related service provision.

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Demonstrate understanding of the evaluation process from initial referral to the development of the IEP as well as identify professionals involved in the special education evaluation process/IEP development.

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Demonstrate basic understanding of qualifying programs for special education i.e., CD, OHI, OI, SP/L, Autism, Dev. Delay, etc.

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Demonstrate understanding of the differences between school-based and community-based therapy services.

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Understand the role of a related service provider in the least restrictive environment, due process, early intervening services, and response to intervention.

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Identify the three primary types of school therapy documentation:
- Evaluation
- Intervention (therapy treatment plans)
- Outcomes (data collection and analysis)

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Identify types of team meetings outside of the evaluation process to identify students with academic difficulties i.e., RTI, SIT, 504.

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Identify and understand basic assessment tools utilized in the school setting: Peabody Developmental Motor Scales; School Function Assessment; Sensory Profile; Bruininks-Oseretsky; PEDI; DVPT etc

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Understand development of appropriate educationally-based goals as well as implement current therapy practices into educational treatment strategies in the school environment.

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Understand the importance of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and the implications of the need for services based on peer-reviewed research.

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Identify basic service delivery models used in the educational environment

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Identify "Team Writing" goal strategies

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Review of well written team based educational IEP

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Review criterion based score/age equivalency score/standard deviation

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Identify examples of educational based service delivery – treatment strategies applied to an educational setting i.e., literacy; quick artic; math class co-teach

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Identify indications and rationale for dismissal from a related service

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Identify what is Assistive Technology and what is its function

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Identify Low/Moderate/High Tech multidisciplinary Assistive Technology

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Identify and understand the distinction between Sensory Integration and Sensory Interventions in the Educational Environment

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Identify a variety of sensory based interventions strategies to be used in the classroom/educational environment