Eight Services Schools Offer to Handicapped Children

Parents are often not aware of what services are available for their handicapped children. Many parents assume that education is the only responsibility of a school for a handicapped child. There are a number of services that are provided to mentally or physically handicapped children. However, not all school districts can offer or afford the same services due to their size and financial considerations. Following are ten services that parents may not be aware of. All of the following are free of charge regardless of income level. I urge parents to take advantage of the services, as they are provided by screened, high level professionals, often having their master's degree to back them up.

Service #1

Occupational Therapy: This of course covers any child with a physical disability that is having problems functioning on a day to day basis. I was surprised to find out that writing is considered a fine motor skill and therefore is covered under treatment by an occupational therapist. Often the therapist will have access to a lab with equipment where the child can learn to maneuver objects, use utensils or learn to write neater.

Service #2

Physical Therapy: Most parents are familiar with this service provided by the school. Most physical therapists see the child on the school grounds, but if more intensive therapy, such as hot tubs are needed, the therapist, with a school escort, can receive permission to take the child to a local physical therapy lab. But this is frowned on, as it takes the child away from the educational setting for too long of a period of time.

Service #3

Speech Therapy: This includes speech services and also services to the hearing impaired to teach them best how to use their hearing aids. I was not aware of this, until my slightly hearing impaired son received services from the school's speech therapist to help fit him with a hearing aid and learn how to use it.

Service #4