A Child Study Team (CST) in schools is a multidisciplinary group of professionals who collaborate to evaluate and provide support for students with learning, behavioral, or emotional challenges. The primary goal of the CST is to ensure that all students receive the appropriate interventions and services to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.
Key Members of a Child Study Team
School Psychologist:
- Conducts psychological assessments
- Provides counseling and support for emotional and behavioral issues
- Develops behavior intervention plans
Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultant (LDT-C):
- Assesses academic achievement and learning styles
- Designs and implements individualized education plans (IEPs)
- Consults with teachers on instructional strategies
School Social Worker:
- Addresses social and emotional issues affecting learning
- Connects families with community resources
- Provides counseling and support services
Speech-Language Pathologist:
- Evaluates and treats speech and language disorders
- Develops communication goals for IEPs
- Provides direct therapy and consults with teachers
Occupational Therapist:
- Assesses and addresses fine motor, sensory, and self-care skills
- Implements interventions to support classroom participation
- Provides direct therapy and classroom accommodations
School Nurse:
- Manages health-related issues impacting learning
- Provides health education and care plans
- Collaborates on health-related accommodations in IEPs
Role of the Child Study Team
Identification and Referral:
- Teachers, parents, or school staff refer students to the CST when they notice academic, behavioral, or emotional difficulties.
- The CST reviews referral information and decides whether to conduct further evaluations.
Assessment and Evaluation:
- The CST conducts comprehensive evaluations to identify the student's strengths and needs.
- Evaluations may include psychological, educational, speech-language, and occupational assessments.
Developing Interventions and Supports:
- Based on evaluation results, the CST develops individualized interventions and support plans.
- This may include creating IEPs, 504 plans, or other accommodations.
Implementation and Monitoring:
- The CST works with teachers and parents to implement interventions and supports.
- Regular progress monitoring ensures that interventions are effective and adjustments are made as needed.
Collaboration and Communication:
- The CST collaborates with teachers, parents, and other school staff to ensure a cohesive approach to supporting the student.
- Regular meetings and communication keep all parties informed of the student's progress and any necessary changes to the support plan.
Benefits of a Child Study Team
- Comprehensive Support: Provides a holistic approach to addressing academic, behavioral, and emotional needs.
- Collaboration: Facilitates communication and collaboration among professionals, teachers, and families.
- Early Intervention: Identifies and addresses issues early, preventing more significant problems later.
- Individualized Plans: Develops tailored interventions that meet each student's unique needs.
- Resource Access: Connects families with school and community resources for additional support.