Frequently Asked Questions
• Where do I find the information to refer a student for SESA Services?
• How do students qualify for SESA LID services?
Students must have a documented low incidence disability accompanied by site staff professional development need for expertise to optimize educational intervention. Services are initiated through district submission of a referral packet of pertinent information.
• What’s the difference between SESA LID programs and each of SESA’s grant programs?
While the LID program services focus on Alaska school district K-12 special education programs, SESA grant programs have a narrower focus. For more information on specific grants see, AARC (https://www.alaskaarc.org/), AKCAM (https://www.akcam.org/), and DB (https://sesa.org/services/deaf-blind).
• How can I find out more about SESA programs and what service they offer?
www.sesa.org look under the “Services” tab.
• Can a SESA Specialist work with a student not on their caseload (i.e. an incidental request from a teacher to observe and/or offer suggestions)?
For a SESA specialist to observe your student, a student referral and MEI signed by the SPED director and parents must be submitted online www.sesa.org to determine if the student is eligible for SESA services.
• Are SESA and SERRC the same organization?
The Special Education Service Agency (SESA) and the South East Regional Resource Center (SERRC) are two different organizations with a common focus on education. SESA has a specific focus on educational interventions for students with low incidence disabilities (LID).
• What services does SESA provide?
SESA provides special education instructional support and training to local school district special education staff working with students with low incidence disabilities.
• Is a SESA specialist a direct service provider?
No, a SESA LID specialist provides outreach consultation and professional development training support to school district staff working with students with low incidence disabilities.
• How can an Alaskan school district request training from SESA?
General training requests on how to educate students with low incidence disabilities can be sent to us at sesa@sesa.org. Alternatively, you can make contact with program specialists to learn more about specific training.
• How do I borrow materials from the SESA Library?
You can search the library catalog here:
https://opac.libraryworld.com/opac/home.php
If you aren’t logged in automatically, the username is sesalibrary and the password is sesa.
To borrow, you may use Request Hold (be sure to include your contact information), or email the librarian: afreitag@sesa.org
• How do I motivate a student that doesn’t like anything?
You can find more information at https://sesa.org/services/multiple-disabilities/printables/ under Behavior Supports menu. Sometimes, understanding student interests requires a preference assessment. This is a systematic approach to finding reinforcers for a student.
• What do I do when my student can’t communicate?
It is important to recognize the many ways students can communicate besides verbalizing. Ways to communicate include eye gaze, gestures, body movements, facial expressions/emotions, use of a speech generated device, and other non-verbal behaviors. SESA Specialists can work with the student’s educational team to help support communication with a focus on individual needs.
• How can Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) help my child/student? What are some benefits to using AAC?
AAC is used for both individuals that are verbal and non-verbal. Sometimes, AAC is one piece to a multi-modality approach of communication. The benefits of using AAC include the ability to engage in social interaction (not limited to a few communication partners), decrease in maladaptive behaviors, opportunities for sharing one’s opinion, opportunities to build self-advocacy skills, and to gather additional information.
