12/18/98

Special Education Referrals

Q: As a guidance counselor in regular education, I find myself wondering whether teacher initiated referrals are good predictors of actual placement. I think not. I think teachers need more training in this area to prevent unnecessary referrals and placements. What do you think?

A: I have a slightly different take on the subject of teacher referrals. Too many teachers try interventions in a vacuum and then assume they have tried everything. So by the time they make a referral, the child's problems have often escalated, perhaps unnecessarily.

Most schools have CHILD STUDY TEAMS composed of teachers, special educators and an administrator. These teams meet each week to discuss children who are having learning or adjustment problems in school. The purpose of Child Study Team meetings is to suggest regular classroom interventions BEFORE any referral is made for a diagnostic evaluation by special educators and therapists. Many student problems can be resolved at this pre-referral level.

Therefore, I encourage teachers to refer students early and often - to the Child Study Team or its equivalent. Notify parents, too, and draw them in at the pre-referral level to discuss their understanding of the problem, to suggest solutions, help develop intervention strategies and follow through at home on the agreed plan. Many children can make substantial changes this way. If several interventions have been tried and the child still does not make noticeable gains, then the Child Study Team, (which includes the parent) can take the process to the next level, that of referral for a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation through the official special education process.

When these preliminary steps have been taken, the diagnostic process usually proceeds more smoothly, because the Child Study Team can provide excellent information to guide the evaluators in their choice of assessments to learn more about the nature and causes of the child's difficulties. Also, the parent(s) more fully understand the reasons for referral of their child and have developed important collaboration skills along the way.

LINKS:

CHILD STUDY TEAMS:
http://www.scsd.k12.ny.us/SBIT/dirhtml/ccfile/pagescc/cchist.htm

Please send questions or comments to bbruno@snet.net.