Special Education Family Resources

Beyond Access Series

The Beyond Access Series is a part of the New York City Department of Education's Division of Specialized Instruction and Student Support. The series supports families of students with disabilities by providing sessions on topics around special education.

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Special Education Recovery Services

During the 2021-22 school year, all DOE students will receive additional supports and programs connected to daily instruction as part of the DOE’s Academic Recovery Plan. In addition, we are offering Special Education Recovery Services to all students with IEPs this school year. Special Education Recovery Services are additional specialized instruction and related services, targeted to each child’s individual needs and IEP goals. Each DOE school will develop a schedule for Special Education Recovery Services that best meets the needs of its community. This will help ensure that any missed learning experienced as a result of the pandemic is addressed and that students are set up for success in their current academic programs.

Special Education Recovery Services Frequently Asked Questions

What are Special Education Recovery Services?

Special Education Recovery Services are specialized instruction and related services in addition to a student’s IEP recommendation. These are made available to students with IEPs to help close gaps brought on by the pandemic’s disruption to learning. Recovery services supplement, but do not replace, a student’s IEP programs and services​. They are targeted to each student’s individual needs, based on progress monitoring and other information on the student’s learning experience since March 2020, including family input. Accepting these services does not waive any rights you or your child may have to request additional services, including compensatory services.

Is my child eligible for Special Education Recovery Services?

All students with IEPs will be offered Special Education Recovery Services. The intensity and frequency of services will be based on each student’s individual needs.

Do I need to request Special Education Recovery Services for my child?

Families do not need to take any action to start the process. During the fall, schools will reach out to the family of every student with an IEP to discuss the services and incorporate the family’s input into an individualized plan, which will be sent to the family.

When will services be provided?

Every DOE school will offer an afterschool program, a Saturday program, or a combination of the two to deliver Special Education Recovery Services. Services will begin in the fall and winter, with start dates and schedules determined by the school individually for each student.

Who do I contact if I need support?

Your first point of contact should always be your child’s school. If you need additional support, please email sers@schools.nyc.gov or call 311.

This page will be updated with additional information.

Sensory Exploration, Education & Discovery (SEED)

Sensory Exploration, Education & Discovery (SEED) is a unique enrichment-based sensory movement program offered on Saturdays to support students who display intensive sensory needs that significantly impact their school functioning and participation. Under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist and/or Physical Therapist, students participating in the SEED program will have the opportunity to utilize specialized sensory equipment (e.g., swing, trampoline, therapy ball, climbing wall, scooter board, etc.) in an intentionally designed SEED space.

The goal of the SEED program is to provide children with sensory experiences that prepare the body and brain for learning through a sensory-based, social-emotional curriculum, including a variety of calming and/or alerting activities. The sensory strategies shared can be used throughout the day to improve self-regulation (the ability to control one’s thoughts, emotional responses, actions, and attention levels). Time is provided at the end of each session for family engagement to support the home-school connection and core belief of "families as partners".

SEED eligible students must be enrolled in a NYC DOE public school/preschool program (prek-8) and have a current IEP (Individualized Education Plan) recommending occupational therapy services. School community collaborates to identify students who would most benefit from SEED participation with a priority given to students exhibiting intensive sensory needs, students living in temporary housing, and students who had an extensive gap in service delivery. Students will be offered the chance to participate in SEED in one of two ten-week cycles this school year. In situations where a student cannot participate in SEED due to limited capacity, students will be included in a SEED waiting list for participation in an upcoming cycle.

SEED Program Information 

• SEED sessions will last approximately 45 minutes long and be conducted once a week on Saturdays (scheduled between 8:30 am – 2:30 pm), for a total of 10 Saturday sessions.
• SEED sessions will be conducted in small groups of no more than four children.
• Family engagement is an integral part of the SEED program and is strongly encouraged. *Please note, school visitors must comply with the DoE (Department of Education) Vaccine Mandate policy; show proof of at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination to enter a DOE school building.
  • The adult who brings the child to the SEED session is expected to remain on-site for the session duration.
  • At the end of each session, the SEED provider will discuss the session and activities for carryover with the child's caregiver.
• MetroCard's will be available upon request for every SEED session attended.
• Participation in the SEED program will be in addition to a child's mandated OT/PT sessions.
• Students may participate in both academic recovery services during the week and the Saturday SEED program if appropriate. 

SEED Site Locations 2021-2022 SY 

What Happens During the SEED Session? 

The occupational and/or physical therapist working with your child during SEED sessions will use structured movement and social-emotional activities to help your child develop sensory regulation, social-emotional, and gross/fine motor skills. Students will participate in ‘just right activities’ that challenge them and provide opportunities for them to feel a sense of success and accomplishment. Some of these activities may include:

• Sensory-movement enrichment activities
  • e.g., Using sensory-based equipment such as a swing, tunnel, trampoline, etc.
• Social-emotional and self-regulation activities
  • e.g., Exploring social interactions through structured group activities with peers; improving self-awareness and self-management of emotions
• Movement and mindfulness activities
  • e.g., Engaging in warm-up and closing activities such as belly breathing, deep pressure, and relaxation
• Family engagement, education, and carryover
  • e.g., Creating sensory tools such as a break box and fidgets which students can take home; modeling of sensory activities/strategies for the family at the end of the session.

Sample SEED Session

Supporting Students Age 21 and Older

If a student turned 21 or older during the 2020-2021 school year and has not yet completed the requirements for a diploma or exit credential, they may be eligible to return to school for the 2021-2022 school year. If you have not been contacted but think your student may be eligible to return to school, reach out to the principal at your student’s last attended school. Families of students with IEPs in charter schools and 853s should email NPSdocreview@schools.nyc.gov.

Students with IEPs who need to be connected with adult/postsecondary services or instruction but have otherwise completed school can access individualized services to meet their needs, depending on their post-school goals. This can include assistance with:

• Intakes at adult services agencies
• Intakes at vocational programs
• College applications and supporting documents
• Any other connections or referrals that need to be made in order to ensure that the student will be engaged in the appropriate adult programs and services

Most transition consultancy services can be provided through online platforms or telephone conferences. However, in-person transition support consultancy services can be provided upon request. For additional information or to request transition support consultancy services reach out to your borough Transition and College Access Center (TCAC) or the District 75 Transition Office at:

• Bronx TCAC: BxTCAC@schools.nyc.gov
• Brooklyn TCAC: BklynTCAC@schools.nyc.gov
• Manhattan TCAC: MnTCAC@schools.nyc.gov
• Queens TCAC: QnsTCAC@schools.nyc.gov
• Staten Island TCAC: SITCAC@schools.nyc.gov
• District 75: D75Transition@schools.nyc.gov

Other Resources

Family Guides and Resources