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School-Age Services

School-Age Programs for students between 6 and 21 years of age provide educational and therapeutic services at two developmental centers (schools) located in Highland Hills and Parma and in public school districts throughout the county. A student may enroll only upon referral from his or her home school district and with parental consent.  

Instruction includes functional daily living skills, adaptive behavior, vocational skills and recreation/leisure skills. Additionally, students may receive related services such as adapted physical education, occupational and physical therapies, school psychological services, health services, speech-language and music therapies, depending on the student's individual education plan (IEP).  

In recent years, as more and more public schools have begun to accommodate students with DD in their classrooms, we have shifted resources to provide our expertise to public school districts and parents. Our specialists in behavior and curriculum, speech and language therapy, augmentative communication, occupational and physical therapy and other areas consult with public school teachers, administrators, district specialists and parents to help students succeed in a least restrictive environment. We also have satellite classrooms staffed by our teachers and assistants and supported by our specialists in public schools.  

Transition services that promote movement from school to post-school activities, including post-secondary education, vocational training, integrated employment, continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living or community participation, are a part of each student's individual education plan from the age of 16 on.

The student, parents, home school district representative and representatives from other public agencies involved in providing services help to determine the highly individualized transition services the student will receive.  

The central focus of transition services is to ensure that necessary services and supports are in place for the student to succeed upon leaving school.