Special Education

School-Based Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, & Speech-Language Pathology Services

Who We Are

The Related Service Consultants serve in a variety of ways to support and advance the provision of occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech and language services in schools. Services include consultation and technical assistance; provision of professional learning; distribution of professional news and information; facilitation of intrastate communication among occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, other related service providers, administrators, and educational personnel. Related Service Consultants build cohesion among school-based therapists through statewide networking activities including a monthly virtual discussion group, annual school-based therapy conference, and email communication. This program also works with other state agencies and stakeholders.

Services We Provide 

General Technical Assistance (TA)

General assistance is driven by statewide workgroups for each related service discipline (OT, PT, SLP), as well as through input from stakeholders and collaborative work with the Office of Special Education and the Arkansas Collaborative Consultants. General assistance is offered through:

School-based Therapy Group Email List Sign-up

To receive the latest information on upcoming events, professional learning opportunities and news, subscribe to the Arkansas School-based Therapy Group Email List.

Targeted Technical Assistance

Targeted TA services for related services (OT, PT, SLP) and LEAs are obtained by request and may be provided onsite or online as time, topic and need dictate.  Targeted assistance may involve mini-presentations, conference calls, Q&A/group discussions, focused problem-solving, or planning/work sessions on specific topics which include: 

  • Local and regional level focused trainings on inclusive practices 
  • Service delivery models

Intensive Technical Assistance

Intensive consultation is provided to school teams on student specific requests for OT, PT, SLP assistance through the CIRCUIT referral system. School administrators can request intensive assistance for related services in a specific area. Commitment of participation assurances from appropriate staff including time necessary for systems change is required for intensive assistance. Examples of capacity building areas include:

  • Upstarting or streamlining districtwide processes such as social/emotional learning programs, feeding/swallowing programs, etc.
  • Implementing educational models of service delivery (MTSS, 3:1, workload/caseload)
  • Use of teletherapy

 

For more information on school-based speech-language pathology, please contact:

Jeff Adams
State Systemic Improvement Plan Coordinator
ADE Office of Special Education
Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
1401 West Capitol Avenue, Suite 450
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-682-4221
Email: jeff.adams@ade.arkansas.gov 

For more information on school-based occupational therapy and physical therapy, please contact:

Amy Goddard
Related Services Consultant
ADE Office of Special Education
Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
1401 West Capitol Avenue, Suite 450
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-319-7333    ext. 108
Email:  amy.goddard@ade.arkansas.gov