• Please click this link to view the FAQs for the Exceptional Student Education Department's return to school.
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  • The Exceptional Student Education supervisors have joined together to create a YouTube playlist that showcases social stories related to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Please click here to access the channel. 
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Division 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 needs. Support staff includes trained school psychologists, school nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech pathologists, audiologist 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
    (313)873-7740

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