Specialized Services & Supports

Assistive technology (AT) in education refers to the use of specialized tools, devices, software and strategies to support students with disabilities in their learning and educational activities. The primary goal of assistive technology is to enhance the independence, functionality and quality of life for students with disabilities. These technologies are customized to address a student’s unique disability or impairment, enabling them to overcome barriers in order to have access to a FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education). Assistive technology supports and services can include:

• Providing student-specific consultations, tailored recommendations and guidance on device trials
• Providing access to a wide range of assistive technology resources through the AEA’s collection
• Providing consultation and recommendations to address Accessible Educational Materials

Iowa’s AEAs provide comprehensive Braille services to support students who are blind or visually impaired and ensure their equitable access to educational materials. Services include transcription of instructional resources into Braille, production of tactile graphics and consultation with educators to support the integration of Braille literacy in the classroom.

• Districts will be charged directly for all products created and any services ordered. An invoice will be sent after the order is completed.
• If UPS/U.S. mail is required for shipping, districts will cover that expense and will be invoiced accordingly.
• Districts should order directly from the AEA. Districts should not have AEA employees order on behalf of a district or teacher.

Our brain injury support team is a multidisciplinary group of special education professionals dedicated to supporting students who have experienced a brain injury. In addition to their primary roles, team members serve as specialized contacts to help school districts navigate the unique challenges these students may face.

Our brain injury team is part of a statewide network in partnership with the Iowa Department of Education, the University of Iowa Center for Disabilities and Development and the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa. Brain injury supports and services can include:

• Providing consultation and facilitating communication between schools, families and service providers 
• Assisting in determining appropriate school-based accommodations
• Providing consultation for challenges related to assessment, academics, cognition, self-regulation, behavior, social-emotional development and physical or medical needs

Challenging behavior and autism consultants are special education providers with specific expertise available to assist AEA teams and districts in the assessment and programming related to individual students with intense social, emotional and/or behavioral needs when currently designed and implemented evidence-based strategies are not successful. Challenging behavior and autism supports and services can include:

• Reviewing and intensifying Functional Behavioral Assessment practices to assist IEP teams in revising Behavior Intervention Plans when a student’s physically aggressive behaviors are consistently not responding to the original strategies 
• Coaching and modeling strategies to assist educators in implementing individually-tailored behavioral strategies to prevent or respond to a student’s self-injurious behavior

Iowa AEAs, in partnership with the Iowa Department of Education and local school districts, partner with families to help all children learn to read. Iowa’s AEAs have dyslexia specialists dedicated to supporting students who display characteristics of dyslexia. In addition to their primary roles, team members serve as specialized contacts to help school districts navigate the unique challenges these students may face. Dyslexia supports and services can include:

• Consultation related to assessment, instructional planning and collaboration
• Professional development and training for educators and families on dyslexia-related topics
• Assistance in determining appropriate school-based accommodations
• Ongoing support to IEP teams for both short- and long-term service planning

Please note that Iowa’s AEAs do not diagnose dyslexia.

Resources:

• Iowa’s AEAs Dyslexia Resources
• Iowa Department of Education
• Iowa Reading Research Center

AEA significant disabilities teams provide technical assistance and support in the implementation of the Iowa Core Essential Elements and Iowa’s Alternate Assessments for students with significant disabilities.

Resources:

• Iowa Department of Education
• SDI Professional Learning for Significant Disabilities is a multi-year commitment that focuses on creating a literature-rich environment to ensure all students learn. Please contact your AEA representative if interested in learning more.

Secondary transition services are focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of students with disabilities to assist the individual’s movement from school to post-school living, learning and working environments.

Planning for students’ post-school lives begins in Iowa by age 14, and transition planning is required to be incorporated into the IEP process. Secondary transition supports and services can include:

• Professional learning for special education teachers to enhance the development of transition plans within IEPs
• Consultation to enhance transition services within the district system
• Coaching for teachers to identify effective instructional strategies and opportunities for students

For more information, visit:

• Iowa IDEA Information
• Iowa Department of Education