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School counseling courses help school counselors learn the correct approaches to encourage and support the academic, career and social/emotional development of all types of students. The primary responsibility of school counselors has always been to help all students, irrespective of their learning abilities, realize their potential and meet/exceed academic standards while taking into account both their strengths and challenges as a result of their disabilities/ special needs.

The Backdrop

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) states that all public schools must provide a free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment for all students. However, it has been found as per research that “students with disabilities have not always received adequate educational services and supports.” It is the school counselors all around the world who strive to help all students in achieving their full potential, including students with disabilities, within the scope of their responsibility.

Trained school counselors develop the ability and school counselor skills to recognize the strengths and limitations of students with special needs and help them find a direction. If you are a school counselor, then you need to be aware of current research and development in the field of special education and work towards implementing the best practices in working with students with any disability who need special education and related services.

Given below are the disabilities mentioned by IDEA:

• autism
• deaf-blind
• developmental delay
• emotional disturbance
• hearing impairments (including deafness)
• intellectual disability (formerly mental retardation)
• multiple disabilities
• orthopedic impairments
• other health impairments
• specific learning disabilities
• speech or language impairments
• traumatic brain injury
• visual impairments (including blindness)

The School Counselor's Role

School counselors always strive to provide direct and indirect services to students in the least restrictive environment, as per their IEP and in inclusive settings whenever possible.

As a school counselor, your responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• including the correct school counseling curriculum lessons as well as providing individual and/or group counseling to students with special needs    
• providing short-term, goal-focused counseling as a part of the IEP
• encouraging involvement of the families in the students’ educational process
• collaborating and discussing with staff and families and understanding the special needs of a student to help in his/her adaptations to the surroundings
• advocating for students with special needs in the school and the community
• identifying students who may need to be assessed to determine special education eligibility
• collaborating with other related school student support professionals providing services to the special needs students
• assisting with developing academic, transition and post-secondary plans for students with IEPs

Conclusion

As per the current educational set-ups, the school counselor plays an active role in student achievement by providing proper counseling guidance to all students. They advocate for students with special needs, persuade family involvement in their child’s education and collaborate with other educational professionals upholding academic achievement, social/emotional development and preparing them for a bright future.