Special Education Programs
Program Support
The District currently has five program support specialists within the special education department. Two program support specialis are assigned to the elementary schools, one to the middle school and one to the high school. The program support specialists work under the direction of the Director of Pupil Services and the Supervisor of Special Education.
Program Support Specialists:
Lynn Strauss - Thomas Fitzwater Elementary, Jarrettown Elementary
Lynn Schroeder - Maple Glen Elementary, Fort Washington Elementary
Davida Hennigan - Sandy Run Middle School
Maureeen Klenk - Upper Dublin High School
Kim Marks - Autistic Support (all levels)
Learning Support
Learning Support services are available to students in UDSD with an identified disability. Each school within the district has Learning Support classrooms that are run by Certified Special Education teachers. An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is developed to provide goals and specially designed instruction to meet the areas of need of each student. IEPs are reviewed yearly and progress is monitored and reported on a quarterly basis . The services provided are individualized to each student and are delivered in the least restrictive environment. Depending on each student's needs, specially designed instruction is provided in academic, behavioral and social-emotional areas. These services are provided both within the general education classroom and in the small group special education classroom setting.
Autistic Support
The Autistic Support Program is committed to meeting the individual needs of students with deficits in the areas of communication, socialization and behavioral/emotional regulation which significantly impact learning. Specially designed instructional strategies, related services and Individualized Education Plans maintain an emphasis on inclusive practices. Classroom teachers use a variety of academic programs, methodology and supplemental materials to enhance the curriculum. The program at Upper Dublin offers many social opportunties, lessons and activities that are embedded throughout the day and across environmental settings to establish and sustain social competencies for each student. Our Autistic Supprt services are provided in a variety of educational settings and implemented in the least restrictive environment.
Emotional Support
The Emotional Support Program is designed to provide services to those students whose emotional and/or behaivoral needs are the primary factors significantly impeding their learning. Programming includes instructional strategies and creative structuring of each student's schedule in order to provide the supports needed to be successful in the classroom. The development of behavior plans and goals for individual students and the monitoring of progress toward attaining those goals is a hallmark of this program. Students receive instruction in the regular education classroom, with supportive interventions provided in an Emotional Support classroom and/or Resource room. Individual, group counseling and crisis counseling is provided by certified counselors, psychologists and/or social workers.
Transition Programs
Preschool to School-Age
Transitioning of preschool students to school age programming is implemented through a collaborative process involving the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit Preschool Section and the School District of Upper Dublin. Children with IEPs who have been identified in preschool or early intervention programs as developmentally delayed, are referred to the School District for evaluation to determine need for special education and related services upon entrance to school age programs (kindergarten or first grade.) The School District conducts Child Find activities to identify students not previously identified through early intervention or preschool programs.
Post Secondary
Secondary transition is the process of preparing secondary students with disabilities for life and career after high school. This includes participation in post secondary education or training, employment and independent living. Transition planning begins at age 14 or earlier if deemed appropriate by the IEP team, as students identify possible post-secondary goals through career awareness and exploration activiites built into their high school programming. The IEP team works with each student and family to select courses of study that will be meaningful to the student's future and enable the student to complete high school equipped with the pre-requisite skills needed to realize post-secondary goals. Effective transition involves collaboration among students, parents, teachers and representatives providing post secondary supports. Participants in this process can include community agency representatives, Technical School staff and Transition services staff from Montgmoery County Intermediate Unit.
Family Resources
Adults with Developmental Disabilities: ADD is a social, recreational, and educational group for individuals with developmental disabilities. Members have the opportunity to meet with people their own age, while simultaneously helping them become productive members of the community. http://www.addpa.org
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD): The organization provides support to parents of a child with ADHD and adults with ADHD. http://www.chadd.org
Montgomery County Intermediate Unit: Transition Services can be accessed at http://www.mciu.org - click on “Divisions” link, then click on “Special Education”, and then “Transition Services”.
PATTAN: Transition information provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education. http://www.pattan.net
Pennsylvania Youth Leadership Program: The PYLN is a team of youth leaders with disabilities from across Pennsylvania with a purpose to develop the self-determination, empowerment, and leadership of youth that promotes successful post school outcomes in the areas of education, employment, independent living, and health and wellness among youth and young adults throughout Pennsylvania. www.pyln.org
Selective Services: The law requires all male U.S. citizens and male immigrants living in the U.S. to register within 30 days of their 18th birthday. http://www.sss.gov
Social Security: Social security disability benefits information http://www.ssa.gov
Voter Registration: Voter registration and rights of voters with disabilities information http://www.votes.pa.com
Vocational/Career Training
AHEDD, A Specialized Human Resource Organization: A private non-profit organization with a mission to serve the community as a catalyst in the employment and development of persons with a disability. http://www.ahedd.org/index.html
Eastern Center for Arts and Technology: Programs taken at EASTERN give students the opportunity to reinforce their career path after high school, get a head start on collegiate studies in that field and get ready for employment. Most of the career programs offer advanced placement college credit or dual enrollment opportunities for students continuing their education after high school in similar majors. http://www.eastech.org
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation: OVR is the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, a State Agency that helps persons with disabilities help themselves to prepare for, start, and maintain a career. Counselors work with individuals who have physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. http://www.nepacil.org/OVR.htm or vrscorp.com
PA Career Guide: Offers a way to investigate over 200 occupations. The guide has information about job skills, future job outlooks, average earnings and more. http://www.dli.state.pa.us
Shared Work: Shared Work is both a communication tool and a collaborative work space. It brings organizations, agencies, groups, and individuals together to communicate what is important to them, to learn together, to do work together, and to collaborate in addressing complex educational problems. http://sharedwork.org/
Travel Training: The Partnership TMA (Transportation Management Association) is a non-profit organization which works with local businesses, municipalities, school districts and other non-profit organizations to help reduce traffic congestion, increase mobility and access to work and educate children and adults on the issues of land use, transportation, the environment and healthy lifestyles. http://www.ptma-mc.org/ or http://montcotransitinfo.org/
Post Secondary Education
College Life: Provides information for students with disabilities about college preparation. Site includes video clips, activities, information and resources. Visit: http://www.going-to-college.org
Montgomery County Community College: Provides information about the application process, placement testing and support services. Contact Saul Finkle, Director of Services for Students with Disabilities, for specifics. Check the Save the Date calendar above for a Transition Symposium slated for November. http://www.mc3.edu/ or http://www.mc3.edu/admissions
State System of Higher Education: Services for Students with Disabilities Booklet. http://www.passhe.edu – Once on website, click on “Students” and scroll down to “Services for Students with Disabilities”.
The Partnership on Work Enrichment and Readiness: Supports mental health recovery by introducing students to campus life, developing educational and career potential and exploring career and educational paths. Lori Schreiber – lschreib@mc3.edu
U.S. Department of Education: Resource for students with disabilities as they prepare for postsecondary education and supplies information about their rights and responsibilities: http://www.ed.gov
Assessment Tools
Naviance: Provides Upper Dublin students with a wide range of information about college exploration and post graduate planning.
PA Career Zone: Career and independent living information. http://www.pacareerzone.org
SAGE (Systematic Assessment for Group Evaluation): Assessment that provides feedback about occupations based on strengths and expressed interests. PERMISSION SLIP AND INFO CAN BE ACCESSED ON LINE.
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