Professional Consultation

In order to serve the needs of district staff and Collaborative staff, the PACES program provides educational consultation to staff members who are teaching students with intensive learning needs in general and special education classrooms in PAC and/or district-based programs. The PACES program may provide support to staff in a variety of ways depending on their needs. This support includes direct observations, consultation and written recommendations, especially in the areas of:

* Inclusion;
* Behavior Management;
* Curricula Modification;
* Program Design; and
* Assistive Technology.

Professional Development

It is important that both general education and special education professionals and paraprofessionals have opportunities to learn about new practices in the field of autism and to be able to share ideas and experiences. Professional development activities serve to broaden and deepen the knowledge base of those personnel who work with students with ASD or other intensive learning needs. The larger the staff member's teaching "toolbox" the more effective s/he will be as an educator. The PACES program offers district and collaborative staff a variety of interactive workshops and training in the following topical areas:

* Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder
* Behavior Regulation & Positive Behavior Support
* Curriculum Modification
* Social Skills Training
* Integrating/Including Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
* Total Communication
* Data Collection and Analysis
* Writing Measurable IEP Goals
* Sensory Integration
* Computer Skills
* Assistive Technology
* Crisis Prevention Intervention
* Physical and Psychological Management Training
* Effective Teaching Strategies
* MCAS Alternate Portfolio Assessment

Professional Evaluations

Pilgrim Area Collaborative has established professionals available to provide evaluation services at the request of PAC member districts. Evaluations can be provided as an element of a student's TEAM meeting process, as a second opinion to existing evaluations, as an element of the special education eligibility process, or as a means of assisting a district to better understand a student and his/her learning issues. Evaluations can require formalized testing, informal assessments, student/parent/teacher interviews, student observations, and trial learning activities or events. Currently PAC personnel and consultants offer evaluation services in the following areas:

* Educational Assessments;
* Speech and Language;
* Occupational Therapy;
* Physical Therapy;
* Psychological & Intelligence Testing;
* Vision;
* Orientation & Mobility;
* Assistive Technology;
* MCAS Accommodations & Modifications;
* Functional Behavioral Assessment.

Neuropsychological Evaluation

The Pilgrim Area Collaborative offers comprehensive Neuropsychological Evaluations as a key feature to its developing evaluation services menu. Neuropsychological evaluations are designed to address the growing specialty needs of students with learning challenges.

Vision Services

Vision Services are provided in the form of consultation, evaluations, direct teaching and case management for students with visual impairment, low vision needs and diagnosis of blindness. Services are provided by itinerant teachers of the visually impaired, or by orientation and mobility (O&M) specialists.