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This session will explore and empower administrators to progress related services to a participation based model that facilitates maximal student independence while minimizing overall staff costs. Participants will gain knowledge in the initial steps of implementation of a paradigm shift in language, terminology, and service delivery, which provides all students with an opportunity to maximize independence and function. Benefits and barriers to a participationbased model will be explored to aid in the success of implementation. Strategies, such as Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and flexible school environments, will be highlighted, allowing for efficiency of team function and maximal functional independence of students. In this model, isolated related services interventions will be gradually phased out and replaced with consistent guided practice for students, thereby promoting maximum function and minimizing student reliance on support staff as they progress through the educational system. The primary focus will be on students with autism and/or intellectual disabilities and maximizing their functional independence by the time they transition to adulthood. |
