About the Special Education Department

Welcome to the Hampshire County Special Education Department

In Hampshire County, we are committed to being responsive to students, parents, and staff in meeting the needs of the students we serve. We serve exceptional students with an appropriate individual education program in the least restrictive environment.

Our special education procedures involve a team approach. This team actively involves parents, administrators, general educators and special educators. Procedural safeguards are implemented to assure the protection of parent and student rights.

A multi-disciplinary evaluation team consisting of the parents and professionals determines each student's present level of performance. Program and placement recommendations are made in accordance with county, state and federal mandates. Related services such as speech and language, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and transportation are provided as required for students to benefit from special education.

Categories of Exceptionalities

Categories of exceptionalities, which are served within the County, include:

• Autism
• Behavior disorders
• Blind and partially sighted
• Deaf-blindness
• Deaf and hard of hearing
• Gifted
• Intellectual disability
• Orthopedic impaired
• Other health impaired
• Preschool needs
• Specific learning disabilities
• Speech-language impairments
• Traumatic brain injury

Let Us Know

If you have questions, suggestions, or concerns about any part of the process, please let us know by calling us at 304-822-3528, ext. 354.