Reading Specialist
Reading specialists provide assessment of reading skills and work with students that may be struggling or reading below grade level. They normally work closely with a student’s teacher to support and supplement the regular classroom curriculum. When a child needs an Individualized Educational Program, the reading specialist sometimes provides written evaluations of a child’s reading performance and may also provide recommendations or design a reading program to help the child succeed and improve reading skills.
Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapists work with people that have mental, physical, emotional disabilities or are developmentally delayed. They work to help improve basic motor skills, reasoning skills and help in developing coping skills for individuals that may permanently lose abilities. Occupational therapists work with students to help them participate in school activities. They may recommend modifications to equipment if needed by a student. Occupational therapy is sometimes included in an Individualized Educational Program.
One-On-One Aide
Sometimes students are assigned a One-on-One Aide. This person will work specifically with one child in a variety of ways throughout the day. They may provide learning assistance, behavioral help, work with a child to develop social skills or daily living skills. These aides sometimes help students in transitioning from one class to another. An Individualized Educational Program should specifically spell out what an aide is to help a student with during the day based on their individual needs. Some students may have an aide stay with them for the entire day, assisting them in different classes, while other students may need an aide only during certain times of the day.
Behavioral Specialist
A Behavioral Specialist normally has a Master’s Degree and works with students with emotional disorders or with students with drug or alcohol problems. They are trained to use a number of techniques to help students with emotional disorders such as depression, eating disorders, gambling or bipolar disorder. They will work with the student to identify behavioral problems and work on finding solutions and coping strategies. Behavioral Specialists will work with students and often talk with their families to develop strategies that can be used at home as well as in school.
