Education Commons^™

Making Related Service Decisions For Students With Severe Handicaps In Public Schools: Roles, Criteria, And Authority, Michael Giangreco

College of Education and Social Services Faculty Publications

Students with severe handicaps frequently require related services from occupational therapists, physical therapists, or communication specialists to benefit from instruction. Effective delivery of related services requires the existence of a shared framework for decision-making among educators, related service personnel, and families. This framework may be broadly characterized by: (a) the roles served by related service professionals, (b) the criteria used to make related service decisions, and (c) the authority for making decisions. Differences between team members regarding roles, criteria, and authority perspectives may pose threats to the development of a shared framework, while similarities may provide foundations upon which to …