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Related Service Providers

Below you will find specific information about a variety of related service professions. All professional tracks vary, however, with the specialized training of that profession, you will be qualified to work across a variety of populations including young children with special needs.

Audiologist

Description

Audiologists are licensed health care professionals who diagnose, evaluate, and treat hearing and communication disorders. The earlier a hearing screening and diagnosis are completed, the more effective the intervention is likely to be. When a newborn, infant or child does not pass a screening, the audiologist may perform diagnostic tests to assess whether or not there is any hearing loss or other impairments, and if so, the extent, configuration, and type of impairment or loss. If a hearing disorder is discovered early enough, the child will be enrolled in an early intervention program, where the audiologist will work with the child’s family and other professionals who serve children with special needs to provide appropriate treatment for the specific hearing disorder. Pediatric audiologists may work with children from infancy through school-age.

Settings

Audiologists work in a variety of settings including private offices, clinics, hospitals and schools. Pediatric audiologists who work with children through early intervention may also practice in any of these settings.

Education Requirements

In New York State, a licensed audiologist must complete a minimum of a Master’s degree in Audiology. These programs must include studies of basic communication processes, professional and scientific areas of hearing and hearing loss, and at least 300 hours of supervised practice. Additionally, they must have completed nine months of supervised experience and passed a written licensing examination approved by the state. Licensed audiologists are also required to complete thirty hours of professional development every three years.

National Associations and Related Information

Adapted from: http://www.infanthearing.org/audiology/index.html

Licensed Clinical/Master Social Worker

Description

Social workers help individuals, families, and groups restore and enhance their capacity to meet their personal and social needs by making necessary changes in behaviors, emotions, attitudes, relationships, and social conditions. They are trained to provide services ranging from psychotherapy to the administration of health and welfare programs, which often include coordinating available services to assist a child or family. Social workers may also specialize in a particular problem, population or setting, including children with special needs or early intervention programs.

Settings

Social workers often work in a variety of settings, from schools to government offices to individual homes. Those who work with children and families, often referred to as child welfare social workers, typically work for family services agencies, schools and state or local governments.

Education Requirements

In New York State, there are two professional licenses for social workers: Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), who may provide all social work services (including clinical services, such as the diagnosis and treatment plan for mental, emotional, behavioral, developmental or addictive disorders), and Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), who may provide clinical services only under the supervision of an LCSW, psychologist or psychiatrist.

LMSW’s must have a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. They must also pass a national licensing exam. LCSW’s must complete a M.S.W. degree that includes clinical courses, as well as complete three years of post-degree supervised experience in clinical social work and pass a clinical licensing examination.

An unlicensed person with a Bachelor’s in Social Work degree may also provide social services under the supervision of an LMSW or LCSW, although they cannot diagnose or treat mental illness.

National Associations and Related Information

Low Vision Specialists

Description

Teachers of students with visual impairments (or VI teachers) specialize to meet the diverse needs of students with visual impairments. VI teachers learn to translate medical information into educational practices. They can understand basic diagnostic information about vision, and visual impairments and use this information plan a supportive educational strategy for the student and collaborate with others to meet instructional needs. These needs include both the basic core curriculum as well as the student’s specific needs. Some typical supports a VI teacher might provide include teaching a child how to read and write Braille, modifying materials to address the impact of visual impairment, or teaching students how to make a favorite snack.

Settings

VI teachers work within the special education system, so they often work in school settings. However, they work closely with parents, teachers and other organizations in the community to support children with visual impairments.

Education Requirements

In New York State, VI teachers much be hold certification as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired, issued by the New York State Education Department. For more information on the specific requirements for this certification visit: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/nyssb/rc/careers.html

National Associations and Related Information

Occupational Therapists/Occupational Therapy Assistants

Description

Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants work to help individuals reach their best physical and mental functioning in daily life tasks. They do this by using interventions to support gross and fine motor development, promote skills for listening and following direction, addressing everyday routines, and other strategies to identify and meet a student’s sensory. Occupational therapy is also rooted in encouragement of participation and family engagement, which is essential to support the interventions used to assist the individual in developing life skills. These interventions can be used to help individuals in any age group with a variety of communicative, cognitive, physical, adaptive or socio-emotional disorders. In early intervention, occupational therapists often work with infants and toddlers who may have developmental delays to prevent more drastic impediments later on, and to help their families learn to incorporate the child in the daily routine.

Setting

Occupational therapists may choose to specialize in a particular area, but have the opportunity to work with any age group or disability. Because they work with such a wide range of individuals, occupational therapists may work in schools, residences, agencies, hospitals, nursing homes, or many other possible settings. They may also provide interventions one-on-one or in small groups, and may serve as a consultant to a teacher or on an administrative committee.

Education Requirements

In order to practice in New York State, occupational therapists must hold a license from the Office of the Professions. Licensure requirements include a post-baccalaureate degree obtained at a program with accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, a passing score on the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, and supervised field work.

National Association and Related Information

Optometrists

Description

Optometrists are healthcare professionals who specialize in vision, diagnosing and treating conditions such as near- or farsightedness, impairments to depth or color perception, and inability to focus or coordinate eyes. Treatments may range from eyeglasses or contacts to surgical interventions. Optometrists may also prescribe or provide vision therapy or low-vision rehabilitation. In young children, early screening may help prevent related developmental delays which could result from vision disorders.

Settings

As health professionals, optometrists generally work in medical settings one-on-one with patients. Usually optometrists work in their own offices during normal business hours, but some may work in hospitals and provide emergency services.

Education Requirements

To work in New York State, optometrists must be licensed by the Office of the Professions. Licensing requirements for optometrists include a four-year postgraduate Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree, including both coursework and clinical training. Programs generally include studies of the human visual system, training in lens design, pharmacology and other related coursework. Optometrists must also pass an intensive three-part examination, including a practical component, in order to obtain a license.

National Associations and Related Information

Adapted from www.earlyinterventionsupport.com

Physical Therapists/Physical Therapist Assistants

Description

Physical therapists are healthcare providers who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting a person’s mobility, such as injuries that limit the ability to move limbs or genetic conditions like cerebral palsy that affect motor function. Physical therapists collaborate with patients to plan a treatment that will assist them in restoring or improving their mobility, reduce pain, prevent disability, and gain independence in daily activities. For young children, physical therapy may be the only intervention a child may need, or it may be part of a coordinated program supporting a child’s development. Physical therapy may also support families in promoting their child’s development and incorporating them in their daily routine.

Settings

Physical therapists practice in many different settings, including private offices, hospitals and clinics, schools, and in the home. They usually work one-on-one with an individual, but may collaborate with other professionals to coordinate a program of intervention.

Education Requirements

In New York State, physical therapists must complete an approved four-to-six year program in physical therapy at an accredited institute of higher education. Programs typically focus on basic medical sciences and include clinical experiences. Physical therapists must also pass a national written examination in order to obtain a license to practice in New York. Physical therapist assistants must complete an approved two-year program at an institute of higher education that covers the same subject matter that physical therapist programs include. They must also pass a national written examination in order to obtain a license in New York State.

National Associations and Related Information

Adapted from: www.pediatricapta.org

Psychologists

Description

A psychologist is a healthcare professional who focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of cognitive, social, emotional or behavioral disorders. They work with patients one-on-one or in groups to provide interventions that address these disorders and promote independence, healthy cognitive and socio-emotional development, and positive relationships. Psychologists may also provide support to young children with developmental delays in these areas and coordinate interventions with other professionals, teachers and family members.

Settings

Psychologists may work in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, private offices, schools, or clinics. They may work one-on-one with patients, provide group therapies or interventions, or collaborate with other psychologists and professionals to support their patients.

Education Requirements

New York psychologists must earn doctoral degree in psychology from a program registered with the New York State Education Department, or its equivalent. They must also complete two years of supervised experience and pass a national licensing examination.

National Associations and Related Information

Adapted from: Bureau of Labor Statistics

School Psychologists

Description

School psychologists assist students in school environments to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. They use different strategies to address the individual needs of students, and work with administrators to improve the academic, social and emotional support that school and district systems provide to students. They may also help train teachers and parents about strategies to manage behavioral issues both at home and in the classroom, or to address particular topics of concern, such as drug abuse, bullying, or managing crises.

Settings

School Psychologists typically work in public, private, religious or charter schools at the elementary or secondary level. School psychologists may work one-on-one with students to address learning and behavioral problems, or they may work in consultation with teachers, administrators or parents.

Education Requirements

In New York State, school psychologists must obtain certification from the State Education Department. Certification requirements include completion of an approved graduate school program in school psychology that includes both academic coursework and supervised fieldwork.

National Associations and Related Information

School Social Work/Permanent Certificate NYSED

Description

School Social Workers provide services to all students, linking the community, home and school environments. These services include casework, classroom presentations, crisis intervention and consultation or referrals to community agencies. School Social Workers also support the special education assessment process, as well as providing direct and indirect services to students with special needs by participating on teams of teachers and administrators within the schools.

Settings

School social workers provide services to individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations in schools, hospitals, offices, factories, and community centers and anywhere people need help, guidance, and support. Since social work practice also includes policy development, education, management, and research.

Education Requirements

In New York State, there are two professional licenses for social workers: Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), who may provide all social work services (including clinical services, such as the diagnosis and treatment plan for mental, emotional, behavioral, developmental or addictive disorders), and Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), who may provide clinical services only under the supervision of an LCSW, psychologist or psychiatrist.

LMSW’s must have a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. They must also pass a national licensing exam. LCSW’s must complete a M.S.W. degree that includes clinical courses, as well as complete three years of post-degree supervised experience in clinical social work and pass a clinical licensing examination.

An unlicensed person with a Bachelor’s in Social Work degree may also provide social services under the supervision of an LMSW or LCSW, although they cannot diagnose or treat mental illness.

National Associations and Related Information

Speech and Language Pathologists

Description

Speech-language pathologists (sometimes called speech therapists) evaluate, diagnose, treat, and prevent speech, language, cognitive-communication disorders. They also address difficulties relating to voice, swallowing, and fluency, such as inability to produce speech sounds clearly; speech rhythm and fluency problems (such as stuttering), voice disorders (such as inappropriate pitch or harsh voice), swallowing difficulties, problems understanding and producing language, and cognitive communication impairments (such as attention, memory, and problem-solving disorders).

Settings

Speech-language pathologists can work in any number of settings, such as hospitals, offices, classrooms and homes. In early intervention, this may also include private agencies, the family’s residence, or the child’s early care and education program.

Education Requirements

Speech and Language Pathologists must have a graduate degree in speech-language pathology from a program accredited by the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA), a New York State registered licensure-qualifying program, or an equivalent. To learn more about equivalent programs, visit the NYS Education Department’s requirements at http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/slpa/speechlic.htm

National Associations and Related Information

Vision Rehabilitation Therapist

Description

Vision Rehabilitation Therapists work primarily with blind and visually impaired adults. They provide support by evaluating the independent living needs and abilities of individuals with impaired vision, developing individualized vision rehabilitation therapy plans, teaching adaptive skills for independent living, coordinating implementation of the vision rehabilitation therapy service plan, assisting with the acquisition of adaptive equipment, and other services necessary to assist individuals with visual impairments in living independently.

Settings

Vision Rehabilitation Therapists work in variety of settings, including: agencies serving people with visual impairments, residential schools or local schools that provide services to children with visual impairments, centers for people with developmental disabilities, centers for independent living (CILs), state vocational rehabilitation services, hospitals, or community-based vision rehabilitation services.

Education Requirements

Because this is a highly specialized career, Vision Rehabilitation Therapists require specific university preparation and adherence to a Code of Ethics and certification standards. Vision Rehabilitation Therapists receive certification through the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP). For more information, visit their http://www.acvrep.org/.

The Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) also provides membership benefits as well as university certification standards. Visit their site at http://www.aerbvi.org/ to learn more.

National Associations and Related Information