Programs and Services
The Special Services Department offers several programs to meet the needs of all learners. View the list immediately below for an overview of these programs.
Special Services also employs several specialists, including speech-language pathologists, social workers, psychologists and nurses, to provide additional services. Scroll down to learn more about the beneficial services these specialists provide.
Programs
Grove Children’s Preschool – District 58’s Grove Children’s Preschool aims to meet the developmental and individual needs of all children in a safe, inclusive and nurturing environment, while promoting educational success through engaging and collaborative learning experiences. Class sessions take place at Henry Puffer and Indian Trail schools in Downers Grove.
Early Childhood Special Education – The Early Childhood Special Education Program is a part of Grove Children’s Preschool and is designed for students with identified developmental delays in the area of speech-language, motor, social-emotional, adaptive and/or cognitive functioning. This program provides early intervention in each of the developmental areas for identified children ages 3-4. Programs are located at Indian Trail School and Henry Puffer School.
Developmental Learning Program, DLP – The Developmental Learning Program is a highly individualized special education program designed to meet the intensive needs of students with known or suspected intellectual disabilities that are most likely combined with other intensive needs in areas of communication, independence, adaptive/functional skills, behavioral manifestations and/or social skills. Programs are located at Hillcrest School for grades K-6 and O’Neill Middle School for grades 7-8.
Behavioral, Emotional and Social Training Program, BEST – The BEST program uses a team approach to serve students with disabilities whose social, emotional and behavioral needs significantly impede their ability to access curriculum exclusively in the general education environment. Programming can include multi-grade grouping and can range from a full self-contained environment to the use of consultative services only. BEST classes are currently located at Kingsley School for grades K-6 and O’Neill Middle School for grades 7-8.
Reaching Independence through Structured Education Program, RISE — The RISE program offers an educational experience customized to support students with developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder and/or related characteristics. This program supports students with language, social, regulation and academic needs. The program currently serves students in preschool through sixth grade (22/23 school year) at Pierce Downer Elementary School and Indian Trail Elementary School.
Resource – The Resource Program is designed for students who require special education services for less than 50 percent of their school day. This type of program can include consultation by the resource special education teacher to the regular classroom teacher and/or individual or small group direct instruction. Services are provided either within the grade-level classroom or in an alternative location within the school. Programs are located at all District 58 schools. (Grades: K-8)
Inclusion – An Inclusion Program is designed for those students who would otherwise be in an instructional or self-contained special education program, but for whom it has been determined appropriate to provide supports and services in the regular education setting. The student attends their home school; the school that he or she would attend if they did not have a disability. Special Education Resource Teachers serve as Inclusion Facilitators for students in K-8. Programs are located at all District 58 schools. (Grades: K-8)
Low Incidence Program (Hearing Impairment, Visual Impairment) – Programs for students with a hearing and/or visual impairment are available in cooperation with the SASED Itinerant Services and SASED/DuPage/West Cook Diagnostics. Students may be serviced by an itinerant teacher who comes to the child’s home school or to a self-contained structure. (Grades: Preschool-8)
Multi-Needs Program – Programs for children who have multiple disabilities with a primary or secondary disability of cognitive impairment are available through the SASED Cooperative. These programs provide highly specialized services with small student/staff ratios within small class settings that include medical monitoring, music therapy, art therapy, speech/language therapy, and physical and occupational therapy. Classrooms are located in District 58 as well as in surrounding school districts. (Grades: Preschool-8)
Southeast School – This public alternative day program is administered by the SASED Cooperative and is designed to provide for the educational needs of students with a primary disability of emotional disability. The program provides individualized instruction in a small class setting along with counseling and behavioral supports. The program is located at the SASED office building in Naperville.
Private Placements – For students whose educational needs are so unique that they cannot be adequately addressed in a public school program, the student’s IEP team may consider one of several private special education programs that are available in the surrounding area.
Home/Hospital Instruction – Instructional services that are provided to any student with a medical condition that will cause an absence from school of more than 10 consecutive school days. The medical condition must be verified by written statement from a licensed medical examiner. In conjunction with the medical examiner, school personnel must determine that the student can educationally benefit from such a program.
Services
Speech and Language – Speech and language services are provided for students with an identified impairment in one or more of the following areas: articulation, voice, fluency and or language delay/disorder, which adversely affects their educational performance. Every District 58 school offers a speech and language program. The Preschool Itinerant Speech Program is designed for preschool-aged children who are in need of speech/language support. (Grades: Preschool – 8)
Social Work – Social workers are present in every building and work within school systems to provide services to students to enhance their social, emotional well-being and improve their academic performance.
Psychology Services – School psychologists receive specialized training in child development, mental health, learning theory, motivation and education. They use their training and skills to work with students, parents, teachers, administrators and other mental health professionals to help every child learn in a safe and supportive environment.
Health Services/Information – District 58’s nurses provide several services for students. They also can give parents, teachers and students helpful information regarding immunizations, health care, medication administration and other wellness topics.