The members of the Child Study Team, as determined by the New Jersey Department of Education are school psychologists, learning disabilities teachers/consultants and school social workers.  The speech language specialist also serves as a member of the Child Study Team

The School Psychologist assesses cognitive or intellectual development and adaptive behavior.  The School Psychologist also evaluates the impact of internal and external factors that may affect behavior and performance in school.  The School Psychologist works with general and special education teachers to support classified and at-risk students.

The Learning Disabilities Teacher/Consultant (LDT/C) is trained to determine the learning style of students, identify specific achievement levels in a variety of content areas, and recommend specific teaching methods and strategies that may benefit a student.  This professional is generally called upon to model specific strategies and methods that may benefit students within the academic setting.

The School Social Worker focuses on assessing the student relative to the family, the school and the community. This team member gathers information concerning the student’s health, family and school history, as it pertains to the student’s current academic functioning.  The School Social Worker is also responsible for coordinating community resources on behalf of students and their families.

The Speech Language Specialist has expertise in determining the presence of articulation, fluency and/or voice disorders as well as language disorders.  The presence of a language disorder may impact educational success and the student’s ability to access his/her educational program.  

The Speech Language Specialist works with the Child Study Team to assist in identification of disorders and also works with general education and special education teachers to develop strategies to increase access to the curriculum.

The development of age-appropriate speech and language skills is essential to the learning process and to a student’s social, emotional, and academic growth.  Students must be able to comprehend language, express their thoughts and opinions, interact effectively and efficiently with peers and adults, and produce speech which others can easily understand.

Audubon Public Schools provide speech and language services for students who demonstrate a need to improve their speech and language skills in the areas of articulation, voice, fluency and/or language disorders which can adversely affect a student’s educational performance.

If there is a question about a student’s speech and or language proficiency, it can be addressed as part of a Child Study Team evaluation or in isolation.  Students can be referred for speech and language services by parents, teachers or administrators.  The goal of these services is to help students develop the speech and language skills necessary to increase the student’s ability to perform in an educational setting.

These therapy services are designed to help students who demonstrate an educationally related difficulty, which impairs his/her ability to function in the school environment.  Occupational therapists use strategies to facilitate a student’s active participation in the areas of self-care, academic and/or vocational pursuits, as well as play and leisure activities.  Therapists use direct and indirect services, assistive technology and environmental modifications.  They collaborate with parents, teachers and other educational staff to help implement a student’s program.  The goal of services is to assist a student in acquiring skills that will allow them to adapt successfully in an educational environment.

Physical Therapy is a related service, which is designed to help students access their school environment and participate safely to the best of their ability.  School physical therapists address functional limitations such as difficulties with mobility, transitions or gross motor skills.  It also includes interventions which address impairments that contribute to those functional limitations such as posture, balance, strength, and coordination.  Difficulties in these areas must impact upon a student’s participation in their educational program and environment to be considered for remediation.

Additional information regarding services or special education may be found as indicated:

Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline: 1-877-NJABUSE (652-2873)

2nd Floor Youth Helpline: 1-888-222-2228

Family Helpline: 1-800-THE-KIDS (843-5437)

Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-572-SAFE (7233)

Perform Care: 1-877-652-7624

Project Child Find: 1-800-322-8174

• Project Child Find Flyer 

New Jersey Department of Education, Office of Special Education

LDOnline: Website for Learning Disabilities

Educational Information and Resource Center

Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)