School counselors encourage and support all students’ academic, career and social/emotional development through school counseling programs. School counselors are committed to helping all students realize their potential and meet or exceed academic standards with consideration for both the strengths and challenges resulting from disabilities and other special needs.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires public schools to provide a free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment for all students. Under IDEA, 7.2 million public school students are identified as having a disability and receive special education services (U.S. Department of Education, 2021). IDEA defines a child with a disabilities to be a child evaluated in accordance with §§300.304 through 300.311 as having any of the following:
In addition, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protects qualified individuals with disabilities defined as persons with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. For a complete list of major life activities refer to ADA Amendments Act of 2008.
School counselors strive to help all students achieve their full potential, including students with disabilities, within the scope of the school counseling program. School counselors recognize their strengths and limitations in working with students with disabilities, are aware of current research and seek to implement best practices in working with students presenting with any disability category and who, by reason thereof, need special education and related services.
School counselors provide direct and indirect services to students with disabilities through the implementation of a school counseling program (Goodman-Scott, et al., 2019). School counselors recognize the strengths of students with disabilities as well as their challenges and provide best practices and current research in supporting their academic, career and social/emotional needs (ASCA, 2022).
School counselor responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
Inappropriate administrative or supervisory responsibilities for the school counselor include but are not limited to:
The school counselor takes an active role in student achievement and postsecondary planning by providing a school counseling program for all students. As part of this program, school counselors advocate for students with special needs and disabilities, encourage family involvement in their child’s education and collaborate with other educational professionals to promote academic achievement, college/career readiness and social/emotional wellness for all.
American School Counselor Association (2022). Ethical standards for school counselors. Alexandria, VA. Author.
Goodman-Scott, E., Bobzien, J. & Milsom, A. (2019). Preparing Preservice School Counselors to Serve Students With Disabilities: A Case Study. Professional School Counseling, 22(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156759X19867338.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Public Law 108-446 108th Congress http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-108publ446/html/PLAW-108publ446.htm.
U.S. Department of Education (2021). EDFacts Data Warehouse (EDW): “IDEA Part B Child Count and Educational Environments Collection.” Retrieved February 21, 2022, from: https://data.ed.gov/dataset/idea-section-618-data-products-static-tables-part-b-count-environ-table1/resources
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