• Office of Special Programs

    54 State Street,

    Middleport, NY 14105

    Phone: 716.735.2025    Fax: 716.735.2027

    Special Education Administrator

    Douglas King

    Secretary

    Sophia Brunner

    School Psychologists

    Annette Smith

    Therese Lawson

    The Office of Special Programs is responsible for providing programs and services to district students who have educational disabilities. Students suspected of having an educational disability may be referred by parents or professionals to the Committee on Special Education (CSE) or the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE).  The CSE or CPSE determines if an educational disability is present, and if so, what programs and services are needed by the student to make satisfactory academic progress.

    A student's special education program is tailored to meet his or her unique learning needs.  These are described in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP), which is the guiding document for special education teachers working with a student.  The district provides a variety of placement options and services, but placement is always made within the least restrictive educational environment feasible. Related services (i.e., occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech/language therapy, counseling) are provided if needed, and in conjunction with placement or on a stand-alone basis.

    Special education is an integral part of the Royalton-Hartland Central School District. In an effort to maximize student progress under instruction, the Office of Special Programs collaborates with parents, other districts, agencies, and the community at large as an educational partner.

     

    Disability Information:

         Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - information from the National Institute of Health (NIH)

                         Video: What Is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder? - Thomas E. Brown, PhD, discusses diagnosis, symptoms, treatment options, and medication.

         Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) - information from ChildMind.org

                        School Success Kit: recommendations from ChildMind.org        

         Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) - information from the National Institute of Health (NIH)

                        Red Flags for autism - information from Autism Speaks 

                        Video: How is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosed? - Dr. Peter Faustino on how ASD is diagnosed and whom parents can turn to for help.

         Learning Disability (LD) - information from the National Institute of Health (NIH)

                         Video: LD in Reading - Dyslexia and the Brain - Dr. Guinevere Eden, Georgetown University dicusses what dyslexia looks like including brain function.

                         Video: LD in Math / Dyscalculia Explained - Dr. Daniel Ansari, Western University describes dyscalculia.

                         Video: LD in Written Expression / Dysgraphia - Dr. Sheldon Horowitz, National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLB) shares about dysgraphia. 

         Speech or Language Impairment (SLI) - information from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA)

     

    Parent Resources:

         Acronyms - a resource provided by Parent Network of WNY     

         Behavioral and Mental Health - website for BestSelf Behavioral Health

         Early Intervention - Niagara County Early Intervention Program 

         Head Start Programs - program locator, eligibility requirements and application information for children from birth to age five

         Parent Resources Across Western New York -  information and referral resources provided by 211 WNY

         Person Centered Services - offers care coordination for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities 

         Preschool Students with Disbilities - Information for parents of students with disabilities ages 3 to 5 

         Procedural Safeguards Notice - describes rights related special education  

         Response to Intervention (RtI) - A Parent's Guide to Response to Intervention (RtI) 

         Special Education in New York State - describes referral, evaluation, eligibility, IEP, and annual review/reevaluation process