This is a Sharyland ISD: SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT digital newsletter. Intended to provide you with information and resources to support your child and/or family. The documents and links included in this newsletter are provided as a resource only.

AUTISM SPEAKS

TEA Testing Calendar

CALENDAR PDF

STAAR Alt 2

Texas definition of a student with a significant cognitive disability is a student who:

• exhibits significant intellectual and adaptive behavior deficits in their ability to plan, comprehend, and reason, and ALSO indicates adaptive behavior deficits that limit their ability to apply social and practical skills such as personal care, social problem-solving skills, dressing, eating, using money, and other functional skills across life domains;
• is NOT identified based on English learner designation or solely on the basis of previous low academic achievement or the need for accommodations; and
• requires extensive, direct, individualized instruction, as well as a need for substantial supports that are neither temporary nor specific to a particular content area.

Resource: TEA Website

• Visuals (chore list, schedule)
• 15 Behavior Strategies for Children on the Autism Spectrum: Article with strategies to help parents with children on the autism spectrum, handle behavior difficulties.
• Tips for Managing Behaviors for at Home Learning: Document with guidance to help manage behaviors while at home. Spanish Version
• Managing Problem Behavior at Home: Article with a guide to help parents/guardians become more consistent and effective.
• SPEDTex additional resource locator

Child Find is a federal mandate under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It requires local education agencies (LEAs), which include public school districts and charter schools, to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities residing within their jurisdictions who need special education and related services. (34 CFR §300.111—Child find)

TEA Information

SPEDTEX

Child Find Texas

https://www.spedtex.org/child-find

https://earlychildhood.texas.gov/

https://actearlytexas.org/

https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/disability/early-childhood-intervention-services

The goal of Sharyland ISD is to support all students and be the link between school, home, & community.

SERVICES

• Collaboration with families, school staff, and community agencies/organizations.
• Provide information and referrals to local community agencies/organizations.
• Advocacy for students and parents.

Website Link

NEW REQUIREMENT - Texas Driving with Disability Program

Effective September 1, 2023, Texas public schools must provide information about the Texas Driving with Disability program to students who:

• have a health condition or disability that may impede effective communication; and

• receive special education services; or

• are covered by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

This information must be provided annually to each student who is 16 years of age or older until graduation or until their 21st birthday. The information about the Texas Driving with Disability program must also be provided to the parents or guardians of eligible students. It may be provided with any transition planning materials that the school provides.

Client Assistance Program
Intake line: 800-252-9108

Disability Rights Texas (DRTx)
2222 W. Braker Lane, Austin, Texas 78758

Phone: 512-454-4816 Fax: 512-323-0902 Videophone: 866-362-2851

Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services Office:

Lower Rio Grande Valley MU 6-3 - McAllen
2101 S. 2nd Street, MCALLEN, TX 78503 | (956) 302-0800

Explore available resources via SPEDTex for families

https://www.spedtex.org/families

TEA Information

Special Education Programs and Services

Disability Pride Month celebrates disabled persons embracing their disabilities as integral parts of who they are, reclaiming visibility in public and interacting fully with their disabilities out in the open, and rejecting shame and internalized ableism. It is a time for the disability community to come together, uplift, and amplify one another’s voices and be heard. Disability pride has been described as “accepting and honoring each person’s uniqueness and seeing it as a natural and beautiful part of human diversity.” ABA

ADDRESS:

Special Education Offices

1200 N Shary Rd, Mission, TX, USA

(956)580-5218

spedsocialworkers@sharylandisd.org