Special Program and Special Populations in National Schools

Program Name	Definition	Population	School Counseling Implications
IDEA	The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that appropriates partial funding and governs how states services and school districts provide: early intervention, special education and related services.	Children with disabilities (birth-2) and their families receive early intervention services. Children and youth (ages 3-21) receive special education and related services. http://idea.ed.gov/	To ensure the Individual Education Plans (IEP) are meet and the children are placed in a least restrictive environment and to provide counseling services.
504	Section 504 is a civil rights statute that prohibits disability discrimination by any program or activity that receives federal funds.	Serves all individuals with disabilities, not just school-aged children. http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/special.ed/sec504/	The counselor must understand and know how to recognize discrimination the counselor will coordinate the development, maintenance, and implementation of the 504 plans.
Gifted	Gifted students are identified to have the potential to achieve beyond what is expected of their same-age peers.	“Identified students based on evidence of high achievement capability in areas such as intellectual, creative, artistic, or leadership capacity, or in specific academic fields, and who need services or activities not ordinarily provided by the school in order to fully develop those capabilities.(Title IX, Part A, Section 9101(22), p. 544)” http://www.nagc.org/index.aspx?id=99	Assisting in the identification, advocating for the inclusion, providing individual and group counseling, recommending material and resources  and work in collaboration  to maximize opportunities for students.
Migrant Workers	Migrant workers move from one region to region to find employment based on crops.	Children whose parents are migrant workers.  http://www.answers.com/topic/migrant-worker	To provide family support and child support at home and in the classroom.  To ensure the student’s needs are meet and all assessment concerns are monitored.  To also provide counseling if needed.
Emotional Disturbance	An emotional disturbance (ED) is characterized by emotional characteristics, to a marked degree that adversely affects a child's educational performance.	Children who have been diagnosed with ED. http://specialchildren.about.com/od/mentalhealthissues/a/ED.htm	To facilitate planning, coordinate response to and advocate for the emotional needs of these children.
Sensory processing disorder (SPD)	SPD is a neurological disorder causing difficulties with taking in, processing and responding to sensory information.	Children who have been identified with SPD. http://www.spdfoundation.net/index.html	To facilitate planning, coordinate support to and advocate for the needs of these children.