Special Education
Belding Area Schools, in cooperation with the Ionia Intermediate School District, offers special education programs and services for school district residents who qualify from birth to age 26.
A continuum of specialized programs and services is offered for the speech and language impaired, learning disabled, emotionally impaired, cognitively impaired, physically impaired, and otherwise health impaired students. We also have programs and services for those students with autism spectrum disorders and early childhood developmental delays. The continuum includes consultant services, resource room programs, categorical classrooms, and departmentalized programs. At our middle school and high school levels, services focus on transition needs that will enable students to be as successful in adult life as practicable.
The special needs of every student are considered when developing an individual education plan (IEP). Parents are encouraged to be actively involved in the planning and implementation of their child’s program.
A major emphasis of Belding’s special education programs and services, in accordance with Federal and State mandates, is to provide maximum involvement in the rigorous general education curriculum to the extent possible for each particular student, while recognizing the unique learning needs of each of these students. Innovative programs involving team teaching, community based instruction, pre-vocational exploration, and vocational programming at Heartlands, a vocational program housed at the Ionia Public High School, have been implemented and continue to be provided to our students.
Professionals who support special needs students include the instructional staff, school psychologists, social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, vision therapists, hearing consultants, paraprofessionals, speech and language therapists, teacher consultants and the director of special education.
Program Facts
Federal Legislation, the Individual with Disabilities Act (IDEA), mandates that services will be provided with funding available from local, county, state, and federal sources. Special Education services are offered to any student from birth up to twenty-six years of age who qualify as handicapped in one or more of the following areas:
Visual (VI)
Cognitive Impairment (CI)
Autism (AI)
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Physical (PI)
Other Health Impairment (OHI)
Hearing (HI)
Severe Multiple Impairment (SXI)
Emotional (EI)
Speech &Language Impairment (SLI)
Learning Disability (SLD)
Early Childhood Development Delay (ECDD)
- An Individualized Educational Planning (IEP) Team, consisting of parents and staff, meet to determine eligibility for services and develop the Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) to be followed.
- A continuum of services is provided in each of our buildings.
- Some children with highly specialized needs may attend programs outside of our district. These programs are operated jointly with Ionia Public Schools and/or the Ionia County Intermediate School District.
The Ionia County Intermediate School District provides the following staff to our District to assist in the delivery of services to our students:
- ASD Consultant
- Special Education Director
- Speech Therapists
- School Psychologists
- HI Consultant
- Physical Therapist
- Social Workers
- PI Consultant
- Occupational Therapist
- Student Para-educators
- VI Consultant
- ICT Consultant
- Educational Employment Training Specialist (ETS)
Special Education opportunities exist locally and in center programs operated by Ionia Public Schools and/or the Ionia County Intermediate School District. The programs and services range from classrooms full or part-time to speech and language therapy, school social work and/or teacher consultant services.
Programs and Services
Diagnostic Services
Diagnostic services are provided to children who are suspected of having an educationally related handicap or are currently identified as being eligible for special education services. Staff with expertise in specific areas of special education is available to evaluate and assess children. Diagnostic staff works closely with parents and school personnel as part of the Individualized Education Planning (IEP) Team to determine eligibility for special education services.
Early Childhood Center
The ECSE (Early Childhood Special Education) program is designed for young children with disabilities or developmental delays. The center offers specialized programming for the children, ages two and one-half through age six, for up to five half days per week, or as determined by the student’s IEP. Through individual and small group instruction, the preschool program allows each child to grow and learn in a language based, hands on, developmentally appropriate setting.
Resource Room and Categorical Classroom
These classroom programs provide a structured environment in which students receive additional support in academic and/or social areas. Services may be provided in a separate classroom, the general education setting and/or a small office. Emphasis is on specific goals and objectives to develop social, emotional, and/or academic growth. Each child participates in the general education curriculum to the extent possible as determined by the Individualized Educational Planning (IEP) Team.
Speech and Language
Speech and Language services provide needed communication skills, which are foundational to reading and writing, and the general learning process. These services can be in the form of evaluations, therapy and consultation with parents and teachers. Speech and Language therapists may be a member of the Individualized Educational Planning (IEP) Team to assist in the evaluation, identification and placement decisions of special needs children.
Consultation Services
Consultant services are provided in specific disability areas of need. This service may include direct instruction, consultation with parents and staff, and/or coordination of services between home, school, and outside agencies. In addition, the teacher consultant may be a member of the Individualized Educational Planning (IEP) Team to assist in the evaluation, identification and placement decisions of special needs children.
Social Work
School social work service is provided to students with emotional and/or behavioral challenges that are interfering with their ability to be successful in school. Support may be provided to the student through individual and/or group counseling, or consultation with staff, parents, and outside agencies. School social workers may also be a part of the Individualized Educational Planning (IEP) Team to assist in an evaluation, identification, and placement decisions of special needs children.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy enhances the participation of the student in the school setting. These services focus on fine motor skills (play, coloring, cutting, handwriting), visual/perceptual skills (reading, puzzles, coloring), self-care skills (eating, dressing, hygiene, toileting), and sensory processing skills (coordination, muscle tone, balance). Strategies are incorporated into the child’s curriculum to facilitate learning. The Occupational therapist works with students, parents, and staff to help the student develop and/or adapt daily living skills. Occupational therapists may also be a part of the Individualized Educational Planning (IEP) Team to assist in evaluation, identification and placement decisions of special needs children.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is provided to students who have physical challenges. Services may include specific exercises, gross motor and developmental activities, gait training, and/or modifications to the student’s educational program. The student may also require specialized equipment (e.g. wheelchair, walker). Services may include consultation with staff, parents, and the medical community to provide continuity of services. Physical therapists may also be a part of the Individualized Educational Planning (IEP) Team to assist in evaluation, identification and placement decisions of special needs children.
Transition Services
Transition services are provided to all students beginning at age thirteen and continuing until graduation, the completion of postsecondary goals, and/or aging out. These services provide activities to meet individual goals and prepare students for adult life. The services may include planning for classes, vocational education, post high school options, employment training, independent living, and community involvement. The focus is on developing goals which assist students in transitioning from school to the adult world. Transition services decisions are made by the Individualized Educational Planning (IEP) Team based on the students Transition Goals.
Prevocational/Vocational Education
Prevocational education prepares students with life skills to set and achieve personal and career goals. The goals may be accomplished using structured activities to combine academics, communication, decision-making, career awareness and exploration. Employability skills are practiced in both school and community settings. In addition, high school students have a variety of options for vocational education opportunities. These options are explored and pursued with students, parents, and staff during the transition process. The Educational Employment Training Specialist (ETS) is often included in this process at the Individualized Educational Planning (IEP) Team meeting.