Significant Support Needs (SSN)

Students with significant support needs are highly diverse learners with extensive needs in the areas of cognition and/or learning, communication, movement and social/emotional abilities. The individual may also have concurrent health, sensory, physical and/or behavioral disabilities.

Students with significant support needs require:

• a wide variety of approaches and supports to demonstrate their knowledge and skills
  intensive instruction in literacy, numeracy and problem solving skills in order to acquire and generalize knowledge
• substantial adaptations (modifications and accommodations) and/or ongoing supports in order to access grade level curriculum
• access to assistive technology tools to communicate, learn and demonstrate their knowledge
• progress to be measured by observation, data collection, assessment, and work samples
• individualized levels of support across major life activities in home, school, and community.

Significant Support Needs Advisory Council

The SSN Advisory Council is comprised of teachers, administrators, and related service personnel, professors from Institutions of Higher Education and parents from throughout Colorado. This group advises the Colorado Department of Education on the statewide needs of this population and those who serve them. Their expertise is utilized for work groups to develop trainings and products to assist educational teams in meeting the needs of this very diverse population.

CONNECT Listserv

The CONNECT (Connect to Networking, News and Encouragement for Caring Teachers) listserv is a place for teachers and service providers working with students with significant support needs (e.g. physical disabilities, autism, multiple disabilities, etc.) to find information, encouragement and networking opportunities.

We know that many times those working with students with significant needs may be isolated and lack the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues or find the expertise they need in a timely and safe setting. This is a place to ask questions, have discussion and share ideas with those in the field that are having the same experiences. To subscribe, send your contact information to Gina Herrera at herrera_g@cde.state.co.us.

For more information about Significant Support Needs, contact:

Gina Herrera
Email Gina Herrera
Phone: (303) 866-6605