Polk County Public Schools
FIN provides learning opportunities, consultation, information and support to educators, families, and community members resulting in the inclusion of all students.
Bonnie Dupuis
FIN Facilitator
Maggie Miller
FIN Facilitator
863-534-0930
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Other Health Impaired means having limited strength, vitality or alertness, including a heightened alertness to environmental stimuli, that results in limited alertness with respect to the educational environment, that is due to chronic or acute health problems. This includes, but is not limited to, asthma, attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Tourette syndrome, diabetes, epilepsy, a heart condition, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephritis, rheumatic fever, sickle cell anemia, and acquired brain injury. This definition is found in State Board of Education Rule, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).
Autism Spectrum Disorder is defined to be a range of pervasive developmental disorders that adversely affects a student's functioning and results in the need for specially designed instruction and related services. Autism Spectrum Disorder is characterized by an uneven developmental profile and a pattern of qualitative impairments in social interaction, communication, and the presence of restricted repetitive, and/or stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. These characteristics may manifest in a variety of combinations and range from mild to severe. Autism Spectrum Disorder may include Autistic Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, Asperger’s Disorder, or other related pervasive developmental disorders. The corresponding definition is found in State Board of Education Rule 6A-6.03023, F.A.C.
Contact: Denisse Santos
The Intellectual Disabilities Program includes the programs that were referred to as EMH (Educable Mentally Handicapped), TMH (Trainable Mentally Handicapped) and PMH (Profoundly Mentally Handicapped) in the past. Students with Intellectual Disabilities may work on the general education curriculum, or they may participate in a modified curriculum, depending on each individual student's needs.
Contact: Maggie Reynolds
The mission of the Speech/Language Program is to provide necessary supports and training for students with communication deficits to the district, schools, teachers, students and parents.
Contact: Meryl Chayt
The district employs over 70 certified speech/language pathologists who provide screening, evaluation, therapy and consultative services to students PreK through high school. Services range from consultation to direct therapy and are based on each student’s individual needs. These services are implemented in ways that promote student success and ensure compliance with federal, state and district mandates. Speech/language pathologists integrate students’ communication goals with academic and social goals to make their services educationally relevant for each child.
The district’s speech/language pathologists are also an integral part of each school’s Intervention Assistance Team and actively participate in the Problem Solving Process for any child with demonstrated communication needs. For additional information please contact Meryl Chayt , Speech/Language Program Specialist.