• ESE Parent Meetings

    Join DPSCD Board Vice President Dr. Deborah Hunter-Harvill and Deputy Superintendent Iranetta Wright to discuss current ESE student and family supports, interventions, and enrichment activities. Attendees will be able to ask questions and discuss strategies to improve the learning experience and supports for exceptional students.

    DATES: Wednesday, April 21, 2021
    TIME: 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM 

    JOIN BY COMPUTER: http://bit.ly/ESEParentMeeting
    JOIN BY TELEPHONE: (313) 462-2305, Webinar ID: 365 425 449#

    Download Flyer: DPSCD-ESE Parent Meeting March-April 2021
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  • Autism Acceptance Month

    April is worldwide Autism Acceptance Month and DPSCD's Exceptional Student Education Department is excited to announce our plans to support our students, parents, staff, family members, and community in #Autsim Acceptance.

    Please see the following flyer for DPSCD hosted events to celebrate our students and fmailies with Autism. 

    Please click this link for FAQs on how DPSCD is serving individuals with Autism.  
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  • ESE Remote Learning Resources

    Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) announced Thursday, November 12, 2020 the temporary suspension of all face to face in-school instruction effective Friday, November 13. All classes will be held online starting Monday, November 16 due to the rapid increase in the COVID-19 infection rate in Detroit.

    The Office of Exceptional Student Education has uploaded a variety of videos to the DPSCD YouTube Channel to assist parents and students with remote learning. You can access the DPSCD YouTube Channel by click this link. 

    Additional resources have also been curated for our students identified as having an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Please navigate to the following two websites for additional supports:

    The ESE Department has also uploaded all copies of our distance learning packets that can be accessed by clicking here.

    We are acutely aware there is more work to do and we are identifying better ways to support families during these unprecedented times. Please continue to share your input.

     
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Office of Exceptional Student Education

  • Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) provides students with exceptional needs the supports, interventions, and enrichment activities needed to flourish. The Office of Exceptional Student Education encompasses all learners outside of the typical learning environment and those that may require differing learning styles in order to meet their full potential. The ESE department is comprised of Section 504 students, students with, or suspected of having, a disability, and Gifted and Talented Education (GATE). We work to ensure students have access and the opportunity to participate in the varied opportunities DPSCD provides.

    This access to instructional and other support services will result in every student maximizing their potential to successfully participate in school, work, and community life.

    Our Programs:
     
    Resource
    Mild Cognitive Impairments
    Moderate Cognitive Impairments
    Autism Spectrum Disorder
    Day Treatment
    Deaf & Hard of Hearing
    Emotional Impairment
    Early Childhood Special Education
    Visual Impairments
    Work Skills
    Post Secondary Transition
    Physical and Other Health Impairments
    Early Childhood Developmental Disorder
    Early Intervention Diagnostic Center
    Severe Cognitive Impairments
    Severe Multiple Impairments
     
    Our Services:
     
    Speech & Language Pathology
    Occupational Therapy
    Physical Therapy
    Orientation & Mobility
    School Social Work
     
    Our Staff

    Our staff receives a wide range of training on how to best serve ALL students. Given the number of schools and programs DPSCD offers, we have programs and classes to fit each student’s individual needs. Support staff includes trained school psychologists, school nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech pathologists, audiologists and school social workers.

    What We Offer

    • Instructional support: ranging from specialized classes to resource teachers supporting students in general education classrooms, DPSCD strives to educate all students first in a general education setting
    • Behavior and counseling support
    • Assistance with physical mobility and fine motor skills
    • Speech services
    • Accommodations and modifications
    • Transition and work skills to help students pursue post-secondary and work opportunities     
     
     

Contact Information

  • Lohren Nzoma
    Assistant Superintendent
    (313) 873-7740

    Michelle DeJaeger
    Executive Director
    (313) 873-7740

    Adrima Caesar
    Senior Director of PD/Curriculum/Assessments/Assistive Technology
    (313) 873-3265

    Sandra Brown
    Clerical IV
    (313) 873-7740

    Gary Puhl
    Project Manager/Program Supervisor
    (313) 873-7740