If a child with an intellectual disability is in a regular education class, do they need a one-on-one paraprofessional?
As with other decisions regarding supports and services, this is determined by the PPT. In some cases, relying on a paraprofessional may result in the student depending on one adult instead of engaging and learning with his/her classmates and the regular education teacher. Paraprofessional support can be an option; however, this support may be needed only for specific activities or times of the day, rather than all day. There are many other supports that can be utilized instead of a paraprofessional. Some examples of these supports are: co-taught classrooms (regular education and special education teachers); therapist support in the classroom; peer support; small group instruction; providing staff training; and creating regularly scheduled collaboration time for team members.
Related Questions
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