Division of Specialized Instruction
Related Services
Some students with disabilities only require specialized instruction by a teacher to adapt the curriculum. Some students may also need other services to support their access to instruction such as related services. See the descriptions below. 
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Types of Related Services
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Educational Audiology
Email: speech.audiology@k12.dc.gov
Educational audiology focuses on the hearing, listening, and auditory processing challenges. The challenges may affect a student’s academic, communication, and/or social skills. Audiologists support students by evaluating:
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Hearing and auditory processing ability
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Selecting and fitting proper amplification technology
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Monitoring the effectiveness of amplification technology.
Mental Health and Behavioral Support
The Mental Health and Behavioral Support Services team consists of DCPS social workers who work with students on issues they face at school, at home, and in the community, which affect their ability to take part in and benefit from their education. These services can include:
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Group or individual counseling
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Home visits
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Social, emotional, and behavioral assessments.
Occupational therapy practitioners support a child’s access to and participation in their educational curriculum. School-based practitioners support social interactions and academic accomplishment, which helps kids be as independent as possible in their education by:
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Direct and indirect intervention
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Developing accommodations and modifications
An orientation and mobility specialist teaches students who are blind and visually impaired specific skills they need in order to know where they are and how to move independently, safely and efficiently.
Physical therapists are health care professionals who help individuals maintain, restore, and improve movement, activity, and functioning, thereby enabling optimal performance and enhancing health, well-being, and quality of life. The physical therapist performs therapeutic interventions like:
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Remediation
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Prevention strategies
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Adaptations
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Focusing on functional mobility and safe
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Efficient access and participation in activities
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Routines in natural learning environments
Psychology
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Email: school.mentalhealth@k12.dc.gov
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Website: https://dcpsmentalhealth.org
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The psychologist supports students and educators by:
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Providing psychological and developmental tests
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Analyzing information about a child’s behavior and cognitive functioning
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Interpreting these results with school staff and parents.
The speech-language pathologist finds and supports children with specific disorders and delays related to oral language and communication. Speech-Language pathologists use current intervention techniques and strategies to help students improve their communication skills.