Module 5: Roles and Responsibilities—Inclusion and the Educational Team
A Transdisciplinary Approach for Including Students with Complex Needs
Inclusion Outreach uses a transdisciplinary approach when we work with a student with complex needs. This approach allows us to use the expertise from a variety of specialists to create the most meaningful and individualized learning opportunities and activities for students.
For example, a specific outcome might be to increase the student’s active participation in classroom activities. While working to develop the skills identified in their student’s IEP, the teacher is looking for ways to actively engage the student in activities their classmates are learning. The SLP is looking for ways for the student to communicate using their iPad and the occupational therapist is looking at how to mount the iPad to maximize the student’s access. This cross-disciplinary collaboration involves sharing areas of expertise and crossing traditional definitions of each team member’s role.
The following is an example of one situation, and how it played out.
Case Example: Collective Expertise
The class was learning about volcanos and were using books at their grade level. The IO teacher suggested going to the Tar Heel reader website to find an accessible book about volcanos that would engage the student’s interest. The IO SLP then downloaded the book into Pictello, an app that converted the book, so it could be read on the student’s iPad. The IO OT used a small suction cup mount to position the iPad so that the student could see the story and easily touch the screen to turn the page.
The team used their collective expertise to create an opportunity to engage in the lesson in a meaningful way, and for the student to share their volcano book with classmates. Once the initial objective had been achieved, the IO team members shared their expertise and methods with the school team, so that in future other opportunities could be accomplished in the same manner.
Summary
In order to create meaningful learning opportunities for students with complex needs, it is important to share our expertise, develop capacity, keep current, respect one another, and collaborate. The best approach to achieve this is through a transdisciplinary model.
Inclusion Outreach uses the transdisciplinary model because it is the most inclusive approach to collaborative practice. Time constraints, high demands on all members of the team, and the large caseloads of itinerants make transdisciplinary practice for local teams challenging. We acknowledge that using a transdisciplinary approach feels like adding another demand. Remember choosing wisely from Lou Brown—this is a wise choice, it is best practice, and it is what creates an inclusive, meaningful education for students with complex needs.
One of the positives that came out of having to adapt our practice because of COVID 19, is that we learned that we do not have to be physically in the same room to collaborate for a student with complex needs. Creating meaningful learning opportunities and enhancing quality of life for students with complex needs is achievable whether in person or not. All you need is a willingness and commitment to collaborate.