School Services: (Please contact us via email or phone: 215-887-5748 for information on fees for the services listed below!)
We have a student who we believe has SM. Can we send the child to your center or do you do on-site evaluations?
Fortunately we do both! You can certainly send the family to the center, do a phone consultation or perhaps hire our staff to come to your school to do a full evaluation. Please note that school on-site evaluations are limited to: PA, NJ, NY, DE
We would like to hire your staff to come to our school to consult about a student. We need help with the development of accommodations and interventions. What is the process?
SMart Center staff will present at the child's school, observe the child and meet with school personnel to discuss findings and suggest school based accommodations, interventions. If requested, our staff can be present for 504 and IEP meetings either at the school or via arranged teleconference.
Our staff needs help in implementing interventions. Can the Smart Center help?
Absolutely! Our staff can consult with school personnel either via PHONE or on-site. On an as-needed or scheduled consultant basis our staff can present regularly to work directly with the student and school staff! Some of the services we provide are: Direct staff training, friendship-based groups, social pragmatic work with students during scheduled small group time, facilitation of communication strategies during class time, One on one work with the student to work on specific interventions both in-class and out-of-class, Buddy-work, etc. You may also consider on-site trainings for staff such as workshops and webinars!
Accommodations (IEP/504 Development)
I am not sure whether my child/STUDENT needs an IEP or a 504 plan. How do I know which, if either, is necessary?
If the child has SM that is impacting on his/her emotional, social and possibly academic well-being, then your child most definitely needs some form of accommodations. Dr. E or another one of our professional staff can provide expert opinion after performing an initial consultation. You should ask as many questions as you can during your consultation. If requested, your clinician will provide a written report with recommendations.
IF our professional staff believes your child should have testing for possible special education services and an IEP or 504 accommodations you will be provided with a letter that you can submit to your school principal or other relevant school personnel. This letter will inform the school of your requests which will then be followed up on according to IDEA.
Most school personnel welcome suggestions on the development of accommodations and school based interventions. We can help in this process by being present at your school meeting either in person or via teleconference.
It is important to note that accommodations are necessary but specific school based interventions are also highly recommended to help the child PROGRESS communicatively and to build social comfort. Without interventions, progress may be limited.
If my child has qualified for an IEP or perhaps a 504 plan and we need recommendations for accommodations and school-based interventions, which consultation format do you recommend?
There are two possible routes to go:
- The Per Service and Comprehensive Consultation are initial consultations that enable for an evaluation of your child. These are not 'accommodation plans.' These consultation choices enable for an evaluation that will help our staff determine your child's specific treatment/accommodation needs. Consultations with school personnel to develop school accommodations and interventions, etc are then billed at an hourly rate.
- SCHOOL Accommodation plan. This plan includes an initial consultation and the development of an IEP or 504 plan or perhaps 'general' accommodations within the school setting. This School Accommodation plan also includes a follow-up consultation with school personnel.
Note: There is no child who just needs an IEP or 504 accommodations. This is not treatment.
Your child should be involved in treatment aside from any school accommodations. an IEP. However, accommodations and school-based interventions should complement what is being done in therapy and during the times between therapy when 'in the real world.''
What if my school teacher or another school professional wants to speak to my treatment professional, Can he/she just call her during the day?
NO, we ask that you schedule a short phone call with our scheduling department. Our Professional staff's intense schedule does not allow for 'sudden' calls unless there is a true emergency. Again, based on reasons for the call, the family will be billed for any time spent consulting.
What is the SM - School Evaluation form (c)?
This is the questionnaire that Dr. Shipon-Blum developed to help assess the child social comfort, communication level, academic performance, overall anxiety level, etc within the school environment. Teacher's should fill out this form as often as your therapist or doctor needs. Information submitted helps inform your clinician of your child's situation in school. This information is then used to plan for your upcoming consultation which will then enable for updated school based interventions. View SM-School Evaluation Form© * Professionals are welcome to use the SM School Eval form© to assess child's social, communication, response to accommodations/interventions and academic status within the school environment. Respect to copyright is required.