Recently, I discovered that the state commissioned a study to examine the future of the State Schools for the Severely Handicapped. The State Schools serve children age 5-21 who have severe to profound cognitive functioning and other disabilities.
The students that attend these schools have very significant developmental delays and extensive needs. Many children are nonverbal. Many children have seizure disorders and other medical issues such as tube feeding, food allergies, heat precautions, the need for daily medication and more that require the services of a registered nurse on a daily basis. Students also require therapy services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and vision therapy.
State Schools have a multitude of resources, equipment and well trained professionals to meet the needs of the children that they serve. The quality of service that the students receive would suffer if the governor’s proposal to change the way that services are delivered to students with severe disabilities is passed.
Mary Schilling
Fenton