The District Case Manager’s role is to ensure the completion and adequacy of all aspects of the IEP development and placement process for a child referred for a case study evaluation or already receiving special education services. In addition, the case manager works closely with all staff as a support system to ensure student success.

Victoria Atkin | 630-795-6837

Morgan Frontera | 630-795-6838

Anna Hottman | 630-795-6836

School social work is about problem solving. It is a way for students to learn how to be academically successful, socially responsible, responsive, goal-oriented, open-minded, and non-judgmental in a safe and caring environment.

Social worker goals, values, and beliefs:

• Recognize the worth and dignity of each student
• Respect the individual potential of each student and support the individual's aspirations to attain his/her maximum potential
• Support and develop the student as a whole person
• Respect that each student is a unique learner
• Encourage students to be self-advocates, to be open, honest, and empathetic
• To connect students, families, school, and the community

School Psychologists provide the following services:

• Collaborate with teachers, parents, and administrators to find effective solutions to learning and behavior problems.
• Help others understand child development and how it affects learning and behavior.
• Participate in full case study evaluations regarding eligibility for special services.
• Observe students in their learning environments.
• Promote tolerance, understanding, and appreciation of diversity within the school community.
• Collaborate with school staff to provide services directed at improving academic achievement.
• Use evidence-based research to recommend effective interventions.

For more information, refer to Who Are School Psychologists? from the National Association of School Psychologists.

Speech is the verbal means of communicating. Speech therapy works on:

• Articulation: How speech sounds are made (e.g. say "rabbit” instead of "wabbit")
• Fluency: The rhythm of speech (e.g., decrease hesitations and stuttering)
• Voice:  Using the vocal folds and breathing to produce speech sounds (e.g., stop excessive yelling on the playground)

Language is socially shared rules that include the following:

• What a word means
• How to make words
• How to put words together
• What word combinations are best in which situation

Receptive language is how well a person understands what other say to them, such as directions, ideas and thoughts.  Expressive language is how well a student tells/explains to others their thoughts, ideas and feelings.

If you are concerned about your child's speech development:

• School Age: Please contact the Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) below
• Ages 3-5: Please schedule an appointment for preschool screening
• Ages <3: Please contact Child & Family Connections

Helpful Links:

Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

The special education program in Woodridge School District 68 is designed to meet the needs of students who require assistance in order to be successful in school. Students can qualify based on their educational needs through the Response to Intervention (RtI) process, which may further lead to a case study evaluation. A case study evaluation is an evaluation done in the areas of health, social-emotional adjustment, intellectual ability, academic achievement, speech and language, and motor skills. Parents, teachers, and support personnel meet to discuss the test results and develop an Individual Education Plan (IEP), if the student qualifies for services. Goals are set for one calendar year in areas specific to each child's needs. This IEP is reviewed with the team at least once a year at the Annual Review. A Learning Behavior Specialist will be available to answer any questions and concerns you may have throughout the entire process. Our first and foremost priority is your child's academic success and positive school experience.

The Learning Behavior Specialists and teaching assistants will help students meet these specific goals by providing assistance in the regular classroom, in small or individual groups, and on a consultative basis. The inclusive philosophy of Woodridge 68 is adhered to in order to keep all students with their age appropriate peers and maintain respect for all, while participating in the general education curriculum to the best of their ability.

Student health services are an integral part of Woodridge 68’s educational program which provides the following services:

•  Formal instruction in health and safety
•  First aid by qualified personnel
•  Vision and hearing screening
•  Emergency procedures

The District Nurse provides the schools with accurate health information regarding state requirements as well as district policies. Each school has a Health Aide to monitor daily student needs, such as reporting absences, treating minor illness and injury, administering medication, etc.

Occupational therapists and physical therapists provide specialized interventions to support students' independence and participation in their educational program.

The role of occupational and physical therapy in the schools is to:

1. Provide an accurate assessment of student needs in the learning environment;
2. Support teaching staff by providing information on how to interact safely, comfortably and effectively with students;
3. Help adapt programming and the school environment to meet individual student needs; and
4. Provide therapeutic intervention as needed to allow the student to benefit from his/her individualized education program within the least restrictive environment. SASED OT and PT staff provide services to students in SASED programs and within member district schools.

Woodridge 68 has three occupational therapists on staff and contracts physical therapy services through The School Association for Special Education in DuPage County (SASED).