Consultant Teacher Services are provided for district staff at the request of the district when a student who is autistic or exhibits autistic-like behaviors returns to district from a BOCES special education program.

The district Committee on Special Education (CSE) must request this BOCES service in writing if it wishes to provide consultant services for the district staff. This request must be made at the Annual Review Meeting for a student who is returning to his/her local district school. The service then becomes part of the child's Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The service may be requested for a period of time specified by the CSE.

As part of the Consultant Teacher Service, a BOCES teacher, highly knowledgeable in the educational and behavioral strategies used with a student who is autistic or exhibits autistic-like behaviors, works with the district teacher. The BOCES consultant teacher provides transitional assistance through training in teaching methodologies and behavioral interventions. The BOCES teacher observes the child in the classroom and meets with the district teacher during school hours to provide this assistance and training. The BOCES teacher does not provide direct services to the student.

The district teacher communicates information about the child's progress to the local district building administrator and to the child's parents. The BOCES consultant teacher develops initial, ongoing and end-of-the-year reports. These reports are shared by the consultant teacher with the administrator of the BOCES Consultant Teacher Services and with the district teacher.

The BOCES administrator shares the reports with the district Director of Special Education. The services must be requested in writing after the child's Annual Review Meeting each year if they are to continue from year to year.