Whereas specialized instruction is not play-based. Sorry, posted too quickly.

Play therapy is not offered at DCPS afaik. But services for young children (OT, PT, speech) are often play based to increase engagement unless it’s something like handwriting

This is one of the few times I would suggest contacting a special education advocate. You can ask about commonly provided accommodations put in place. Advocates know and typically will help you get what’s needed for your child.

Interventions at school are about helping the child access the curriculum and education, not about providing services the child might need overall. So it's generally only things that directly relate to school needs. For example, my child's private OT did all sorts of skills with him, but my child's school OT only worked on handwriting and scissor cutting.

You can get behavior support minutes, which is time with the social worker. I've never seen play therapy specified on the IEP, but you could discuss modalities with the social worker.

As a parent, you are an important part of the IEP team. You can request an IEP meeting at any time and if you feel extra services are needed you can request an AED, which can start the eligibility process for additional services. However, your child is already receiving OT, PT and specialized services. So, there is not much to add other than potentially SEL support with the social worker and/or school psychologist. Typically the children who receive those services have behavioral needs (separate from OT needs) that prevent them from accessing the general curriculum. If you do not have previous data and your child is not exhibiting maladaptive behaviors, it is unlikely they will be found eligible. Even though those therapies would likely be helpful, DCPS only provides services that directly impact education. You should have received the Procedural Safeguards document when you had your initial IEP, which details all of your rights as a parent. Start by talking with your child's SPED teacher and the school's LEA.

The best way to get services on an initial IEP is to show data indicating those services are already working for that child. Do you have home based services that would apply here?

We have a similar profile and aged child and my understanding is that’s all you get. Whoever is on staff - and depending on how much needs your child needs they’ll also suggest a different classroom set up. We have some speech hours but doubt a public will offer play therapy.

I’m new to all of this and wondering what supports are available through an IEP.

I wish there was a list of all the resources or supports a child could receive so that I would know whether to request something or advocate that a particular support be provided. Is there a place I can find this information?

Right now DS’s IEP includes OT, PT, and SPED minutes. Is play therapy available? Or counseling/regular therapy?