Low Incidence refers to disability areas that occur rarely or in low numbers. These disability categories include: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH), Dual-Diagnosed (DD), Moderate Cognitive Impairment (MoCI), Severe Cognitive Impairment (SCI), Physically and Otherwise Health Impaired (POHI), Severe Mutliple Impairment (SXI), and Visual Impairment (VI).

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong developmental disability that affects a student’s academic, behavioral, and social functioning in the educational setting. Although Autism disorder is typically manifested before 36 months of age, a child who first manifests the characteristics after age 3 may also meet criteria. Autism disorder is characterized by qualitative impairments in reciprocal social interaction, qualitative impairments in communication, and restricted range of interests/repetitive behavior.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH)

The Detroit Public Schools Community District Deaf & Hard of Hearing Program provides academic instruction for students with varying degrees of hearing loss in a language enriched auditory/oral or total communication learning environment. Our program includes Pre-Kindergarten-12th grade categorical and outreach students. Our catchment areas are Highland Park, Harper Woods, Hamtramck and Grosse Pointe. Approved PSA's are serviced as well. Currently, we have the only Total Communication Program for students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing within Wayne County. 

Dual-Diagnosed (DD)

Dual Diagnosed programs may include students at any level of cognitive impairment. Students will require varied levels of supervision throughout adult life, but all can learn skills to maximize their level of independence. In addition, these students require intensive positive behavior support. Core instruction is based on Dynamic Learning Maps. In addition, an integral part of the program is instruction in social skills. Focus is on the development of positive behaviors, completing activities of daily living, enhanced quality of life, and maximizing personal effectiveness in a variety of educational and community environments. Instructional methods include shaping and fading, opportunities for guided practice, and individualized reinforcement. Methods are highly structured, with schedules, routines, and opportunities for high levels of reinforcement in the shaping of skills. Communication and access to the curriculum are enhanced through multiple modes of presentation and response, including visual, physical, verbal and assistive technology tools.  

Moderate Cognitive Impairment (MoCI)

The Moderate Cognitive Impairment (MoCI) Programs in Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) service CI eligible students functioning in the moderately impaired cognitive range. There is a total of ten service locations in center-based buildings and satellite sites. Grade levels include PreK-12.  After completion of four years in high school, MOCI students are offered the opportunity to attend Drew Transition Center Work Skills Program. The Transition Center, which serves post-secondary special education students ages 18-26, is a one-of-a-kind center-based educational facility that has created a continuum of services for students with disabilities. 

The MoCI Programs offer instruction in the areas of academics, vocational skills, prevocational skills, transition skills, self-help skills, and daily living skills. The MOCI Programs in DPSCD also service the following catchment areas in the Eastern Wayne County region:  Grosse Pointe, Hamtramck, Harper Woods, Highland Park, and surrounding Public School Academies (PSAs). 

Physically and Otherwise Health Impaired (POHI)

The Physically Impaired and Other Health Impaired Program (POHI) in Detroit Public Schools Community District provides educational support in the least restrictive environment.  Categorical classrooms, Pre-K through eighth grade, operate in five buildings.  Outreach teacher consultant services are provided on behalf of Physical Impairment (PI) or Otherwise Health Impairment (OHI) eligible students in their neighborhood schools, Pre-K through twelfth grade, in addition to students living in the catchment districts of Grosse Pointe, Hamtramck, Harper Woods, Highland Park, and the surrounding Public School Academies (PSAs). 

In addition to academics, therapeutic support is provided in the form of push-in/pull-out occupational, physical, and speech and language therapies.  Nurses provide a myriad of services to support students based upon doctor-prescribed procedures and IEPT recommendations.

Severe Cognitive Impairment (SCI)

The Severe Cognitive Impairment (SCI) Programs in Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) service CI eligible students functioning in the severely impaired cognitive range.  These students have cognitive, academic, adaptive, and often social impairments.  There is currently a total of four service locations in center-based buildings.  Grade levels include PreK-14 (including post HS at Drew Transition Center).  After completion of four years of high school, SCI students are offered the opportunity to attend Drew Transition Center.  The Transition Center, which serves post-secondary special education students ages 18-26, is a one-of-a-kind center-based educational facility that has created a continuum of services for students with disabilities. 

The SCI Programs offer instruction in the areas of academics, vocational skills, prevocational skills, transition skills, self-help skills, and daily living skills. The SCI Programs in the Detroit Public Schools Community District also service the following catchment areas in Eastern Wayne County region:  Grosse Pointe, Hamtramck, Harper Woods, Highland Park, and surrounding Public School Academies (PSAs). 

Severe Multiple Impairment (SXI)

The Severe Multiple Impairment Program (SXI) in Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) services students with acute cognitive, physical, visual, hearing and medical conditions. There are a total of five service locations.  All service locations function as Center Based Programs.  Grade levels include Pre K-14, including a Transitional/Work based Learning Program for students age 18-26. 

Students within the SXI programs receive instruction in all areas of academics, pre-vocational training and transition skills such as self-help and daily living skills. The SXI Programs in Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) also services the following catchment areas in Wayne County: Grosse Pointe, Harper Woods, Hamtramck, Highland Park, and the surrounding Public School Academies (PSAs). 

Visual Impairment (VI)

The Visually Impaired Program (VI) in Detroit Public School Community District (DPSCD) operates one categorical classroom and two Resource Rooms in three buildings.  Outreach teacher consultant services are also provided to visually impaired students in the general educational setting.  Visually Impaired services are also provided to the  birth-3 year-old population in Detroit Public Schools Community District's Early Intervention Program. 

In addition to the many educational settings offered we also provide the latest hardware, software and visual aids to promote academic achievement.  Services such as Orientation and Mobility are in place to assist our students in making the transition from school to school and from school to community.  We also service visually impaired Detroit students attending Public School academics in other counties.  Our VI students participate in Partial and Full Inclusive Education Programs in their neighborhood school or attend general education classes in addition to placement in categorical classroom settings.