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Special
Needs
Transportation
Handbook

By Ray Turner, Ed. D.
Press Release 5.07.2012
White Buffalo Press
Dr. Ray Turner
2012 Seven Text $99.00 Book Sale
Dr. Ray Turner announced that school districts can now purchase all seven texts
on the subject of transporting students with disabilities by downloading the
complete 2,337 page set for a 2012 Year discount of more than $600.00. Dr. Turner
recognizes that school districts are challenged to save money and to meet their
increasing demands to provide safe and appropriate transportation for all
students as well as the appropriate special handling of students with disabilities.
Texts are provided in digital form only to be downloaded by Dr. Turner to the
designated district email address. Purchase orders accepted. Permission to
duplicate is given provided that text contents duplicated are used within the
purchasing school district only. For additional information or to order the 2012
Seven Text Book Sale please contact: Dr. Ray Turner, 210-614-1395 or E-mail him
at [email protected]. The www.WhiteBuffaloPress.com website will be ready
to accept purchase orders effective May 14, 2012.
Table of Contents

Chapter One:
Parents and Special Needs Student Riders

Student Bus Passengers with Disabilities...................................................................2
The Difference between a Disability and a Handicap .................................................2
Talking About or with Students with Disabilities........................................................2
Student Riders with Disabilities...................................................................................4
Students with Autism................................................................................................... 4
Characteristics of Autism .............................................................................................4
Failure to Respond to Normal Surroundings..............................................................4
Failure to Respond to Love and affection5
Engaging in Repetitious or Stereotypic Behaviors.....................................................5
Self-Abusive When Under Stress.................................................................................6
Tantrums and Self-Multilating Behavior......................................................................6
Deaf-Blind (Dual Sensory Impairment) .......................................................................8
Orienting Dual Sensory Impairment (DSI) Students...................................................8
Personal Distress Signals.............................................................................................8
Using Effective Greetings.............................................................................................8
Appropriate Touch.........................................................................................................9
‘OK or Not OK’ Signals..................................................................................................9
Seating Assignments ....................................................................................................9
Changing Seating Assignments.................................................................................10
Elbow Touch Method...................................................................................................10
Emotionally Disturbed.................................................................................................11
Serious Emotional Disturbance..................................................................................11
Childhood Schizophrenia............................................................................................11
Acting-Out Students....................................................................................................12
Characteristics of Students with Behavior Disorders..............................................12
Withdrawn Students....................................................................................................14
Special Needs or Regular Bus Service? ...................................................................14
Special Needs Bus Placement Means Fewer Incident Reports? ............................14
Behavior Incident Reports and Bus Suspensions/Revocations..............................15
Behavior Management Guidelines for the Special Needs Bus................................15
Behavior Management Plans (BMPs) ........................................................................16
Importance of Assigned Seats....................................................................................17
Hearing Impaired..........................................................................................................17
Conductive Hearing Loss............................................................................................17
Sensorineural or “Nerve” Hearing Loss....................................................................17
Degrees of Hearing Loss.............................................................................................18
Mild Hearing Loss........................................................................................................18
Moderate Hearing Loss...............................................................................................18
Severe to Profound Hearing Loss..............................................................................19
Speech Reading or Sign(ed) Language.....................................................................19
District Policy for Learning/Using American Sign Language..................................21
Signing Exact English (SEE) ......................................................................................21
Bus Supported Guidelines for the Hearing Impaired................................................21
Hearing Aids and Special Needs Bus Riders............................................................23
Types of Hearing Aids.................................................................................................23
One Hearing Aid or Two? ...........................................................................................24
Assistive Listening Devices........................................................................................24
Telephone Relay Service (TRS) .................................................................................24
Making Calls to TTY Parents.......................................................................................25
Receiving Calls from TTY Parents..............................................................................25
Some Helpful Teletypewriter (TTY) Terms.................................................................26
Learning Disabled........................................................................................................26
An Invisible and Personal Disability..........................................................................26
Learning Disabilities Symptoms ................................................................................27
Impaired Social and/or Personal Judgements..........................................................27
Difficulty in getting organized.....................................................................................27
Boarding the Vehicle & Negotiating the Stairwell.....................................................27
Easily Distracted..........................................................................................................28
Impaired Decision-Making Skills................................................................................28
Remembering Things in Proper Order.......................................................................28
Forgetting Personal Items on the School Bus..........................................................28
Inability to Process or Retrieve Information Quickly................................................28
Repeated in Different Formats to Be Understood.....................................................28
Rehearse with the Student Until They Get It Right...................................................29
Allow Successful Practice to be Repeated................................................................29
Impulse Behavior Cannot Be Predicted or Controlled .............................................29
Forgetting Bus Behavior Rules..................................................................................29
Speaking Inappropriately about Unrelated Matters..................................................29
Legal Definition of Learning Disabilities....................................................................30
Bus Riders with Attention Deficit Disorders (ADD) .................................................30
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) .....................................................30
Mentally Retarded........................................................................................................31
Mildly Retarded Students............................................................................................31
Moderate to Severely Retarded Individuals...............................................................32
Severe to Profoundly Retarded Students..................................................................32
Hydrocephaly in Special Needs Students .................................................................32
Cerebral Palsy (CP) In Special Needs Students........................................................33
Spasticity......................................................................................................................33
Athetosis ......................................................................................................................34
Ataxia............................................................................................................................34
Friedreich's Ataxia.......................................................................................................35
Bus Management Techniques for Severe/Profoundly Retarded Students.............35
Multiply Disabled.........................................................................................................36
High- or Low-Functioning Students with Multiple Disabilities.................................36
Lack Self-Help Skills....................................................................................................36
Have No Effective Communication with Driver Team...............................................36
Some May Not Be Able to Talk, Gesture or Talk Meaningfully................................36
No Ttypical Responses to Dangerous, Emergency or Crisis Situations ................37
Medically Fragile-Technology Assisted.....................................................................38
Students with Orthopedic Impairments.....................................................................38
Walker Users as School Bus Passengers .................................................................38
Scoliosis.......................................................................................................................39
Clubfoot........................................................................................................................40
Prostheses or Orthoses? ...........................................................................................40
Amputees .....................................................................................................................41
Students with Other Health Impairments...................................................................41
Students with Special Health Care Needs.................................................................41
Chronic Health Impairments.......................................................................................42
Cystic Fibrosis.............................................................................................................43
Diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus) ......................................................................................43
Juvenile Diabetes (Type I) ..........................................................................................44
Maturity-Onset Diabetes (Type II) ..............................................................................44
High or Low Blood Sugars..........................................................................................44
Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar) .............................................................................44
Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar) ...........................................................................45
Phenylketonuria (PKU) ...............................................................................................45
Fatigue (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)45
Kidney Disease............................................................................................................45
Asthma..........................................................................................................................46
Epilepsy (Seizures or Convulsions) ..........................................................................46
Absence Seizure (Petit Mal) .......................................................................................47
Generalized Tonic-Clonic (Grand Mal) ......................................................................47
Complex Partial Seizure (Psychomotor) ...................................................................47
Arthritis in Children.....................................................................................................47
Juvenile Arthritis..........................................................................................................47
Rheumatoid Arthritis...................................................................................................47
Osteoarthritis...............................................................................................................48
Scleroderma.................................................................................................................48
Lupus (Lupus Erythematosus) ..................................................................................48
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) ...............................................................................................48
Neurologically Impaired..............................................................................................49
Neurofibromatosis (The Elephant-Man Syndrome) .................................................49
Tuberous Sclerosis......................................................................................................50
Tourette Syndrome (TS) .............................................................................................50
Prader-Willi Syndrome ................................................................................................50
Spina Bifida..................................................................................................................51
Spina Bifida Occulta....................................................................................................51
Meningocele.................................................................................................................51
Myelomeningocele.......................................................................................................51
Head Injuries................................................................................................................52
Physical Symptoms.....................................................................................................52
Cognitive Symptoms...................................................................................................52
Psychosocial Symptoms.............................................................................................52
Neuromuscular Diseases............................................................................................52
Myasthenia Gravis.......................................................................................................53
Muscular Dystrophy....................................................................................................53
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) ......................................................................53
Facio-Scapulo Humeral Dystrophy............................................................................53
Myotonic Dystrophy....................................................................................................53
Lou Gehrig's Disease (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/ALS) ..................................54
Speech Impaired..........................................................................................................54
Guidelines for Effective Interaction on the School Bus...........................................54
Student Bus Riders with Stroke or Aphasia..............................................................55
Student Bus Riders Unable To Speak........................................................................56
Students with Traumatic Brain Injury........................................................................56
Visually Impaired.........................................................................................................57
Service Animals (Seeing-Eye Dogs) ..........................................................................58
Long Cane Users.........................................................................................................60
High-tech Equipment...................................................................................................61
Low-tech Equipment....................................................................................................61
Special Education Transportation Service Accessibility.........................................63
Parental Guidelines for Receiving Special Needs Transportation..........................63
Service to Special Education Students on Regular Buses......................................67
Summary ......................................................................................................................68
Additional Resources..................................................................................................69
Chapter Two:
The Special Needs Driver--The Driving Team
Leader

Professional School Bus Drivers...............................................................................72
Special Needs Drivers.................................................................................................72
Maintain Appropriate Student Bus Behavior.............................................................74
Maintain Report Serious Behavioral Infractions.......................................................74
Attend Parent Conferences When Requested...........................................................74
Follow Assigned Special Needs Bus Routes............................................................74
Adhere to Established Bus Service Schedules.........................................................76
Inspect the Bus and All On-Board Equipment..........................................................76
Prepare and Submit Bus Repair or Equipment Work Orders ..................................77
Communicate with All in a Professional Manner......................................................77
Communicating with Parents......................................................................................77
Communicating with Caregivers................................................................................77
Communicating with Siblings.....................................................................................78
Communicating with Special Education Building Personnel..................................78
Keep Assigned Bus Clean and Fueled.......................................................................78
Operate Two-Radio or Cellular Phones Effectively and Safely................................79
Provide CPR and First Aid to Anyone in Need..........................................................79
Maintain Family Educational Rights & Privacy.........................................................79
Special Needs Driver Training....................................................................................81
Preservice Training......................................................................................................81
School Bus Driving Fundamentals.............................................................................82
Defensive Driving Techniques....................................................................................82
Impact of Disabilities on Family Human Relations...................................................82
State and Federal Laws & Rules Pertaining to School Buses.................................83
School District Policies & Procedures.......................................................................83
Bus Stop Procedures ..................................................................................................83
Railroad Grade Crossing Procedures........................................................................83
Accident and Emergency Procedures .......................................................................83
First Aid and CPR........................................................................................................83
Blood Borne Pathogens and Body Fluid Cleanup Procedures................................83
Inservice Special Needs Driver Training....................................................................83
Current Safety Issues and Concerns.........................................................................84
Local District Issues....................................................................................................85
Skills or Competencies Selected For Inservice Training .........................................85
Demonstrating Emotional Support.............................................................................85
Understanding Special Needs Driver Role & Responsibilities................................85
Operating Student Personal Equipment Brought on Board ....................................85
Operating the Special Needs Bus...............................................................................85
Demonstrating Physical Performance Abilities & Skills ..........................................85
Reaching the Adult Learner........................................................................................86
Mentoring Special Needs Drivers...............................................................................87
Special Needs Driver Learning Styles........................................................................88
Training Outside the Traditional Classroom.............................................................88
Trainers Include Other School District Specialists...................................................88
The Training Coordinator for Transportation............................................................89
Current Weather Conditions and Driving Techniques..............................................90
Area Road Construction Projects...............................................................................90
Driver-Student Relations and Conflict Resolution....................................................90
Alcohol and Drug Use Policy Inservice .....................................................................90
Summary ......................................................................................................................95
Addition Resources.....................................................................................................96

Chapter Three:
The Special Needs School Bus Team

Driver and Assistant Team Work................................................................................98
Special Needs Bus Assistant......................................................................................98
Insuring Students on the Bus Are Safe .....................................................................98
Providing Al Necessary Student Assistance.............................................................98
Providing Support & Instruction to Students............................................................98
Monitoring students Throughout Their Bus Ride.....................................................99
Seating & Reseating Passengers during the Bus Ride............................................99
Communicating with the Driver, School Personnel & Parents................................99
Keeping Accurate & Updated Student Seating Charts.............................................99
Implementing Student Bus Behavior Management Programs.................................99
Reporting to the Building Principal............................................................................99
Reporting All Student Injuries & Illnesses.................................................................99
Completing Behavioral Incident Reports...................................................................99
Meeting in Conference with Parents & Special Education Personnel.....................99
Operating All Bus Adaptive Equipment...................................................................100
Storing and Securing All Student Personal Equipment.........................................100
Providing CPR & First Aid.........................................................................................100
Following Established Procedures..........................................................................100
Cautioning Parents Not to Release Students If They Are Sick..............................100
Observing the Health of Each Child on the bus......................................................101
Completing a Walk-Through after Each Bus Run...................................................101
Performing a Complete Post-Trip Bus Inspection..................................................101
Special Needs Driver Team Development ...............................................................101
Driver Team Commitment.........................................................................................101
Driver Team Trust......................................................................................................101
Driver Team Purpose.................................................................................................102
Driver Team Communication....................................................................................102
Involvement................................................................................................................102
Purpose/Process Orientation....................................................................................103
Using Responsible Caution......................................................................................103
Taking Risks...............................................................................................................104
Getting involved.........................................................................................................105
Participating in the Driver Team...............................................................................105
Driver Team Responsibilities....................................................................................105
Substitute Drivers and Assistants............................................................................105
Not Acquainted with Special Needs Passengers....................................................106
Not Acquainted with the Route or Schedule...........................................................106
Not Familiar with Working with the Bus Assistant.................................................106
Students May Act Differently toward New Substitute Drivers...............................106
Before the School Year Begins.................................................................................106
Communication with Parents....................................................................................107
Driver-Only Communication with Parents...............................................................107
Assistant-Only Communication With Parents.........................................................108
Out-of-District Special Needs Bus Service..............................................................109
Out-of-Attendance Area Special Needs Bus Service..............................................110
No-Show Student Riders...........................................................................................111
Permanent or Temporary Route Changes...............................................................112
Updating Route Sheets .............................................................................................112
Working Parental Telephone Numbers....................................................................113
Route Pickup and Drop-Off Windows......................................................................113
Initial Home Visit........................................................................................................114
Private Lane Service Restrictions............................................................................114
Pickup/Drop-Off Changes during Adverse Weather Conditions...........................115
Heavy Rain Leading to Flooded Streets ..................................................................115
Flooded Sidewalks Change Pickup or Drop-Off Methods......................................115
Icy or Snow-Bound Sidewalks May Require No Pickup Service............................115
Reporting Neighborhood Street & Sidewalk Hazards.............................................116
Reporting Potholes in Streets and at Addresses....................................................116
Reporting Damaged/Missing Street Lights, Traffic Controls Signals ...................116
Reporting Dead Animals in the Street......................................................................116
Reporting Vegetation That Obstructs Vision or Overhangs Streets.....................116
Caregiver Alternate Site Visits..................................................................................117
Day Care Center and School Bus Transfers............................................................117
Private Day Care vs. Public School Bus Service....................................................118
Additional Special Needs Team Member Training..................................................119
On Every School Day1.................................................................................................19
Driver Safety Tips for Employee Break Rooms1.......................................................20
Driver Safety Tips for Employee Bus Parking Lots................................................120
Employee Identification Badges...............................................................................121
Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist...................................................................................121
Fire Extinguisher........................................................................................................121
Body Fluids Kit...........................................................................................................121
First Aid Kit ................................................................................................................122
Brakes ........................................................................................................................122
Bus Light Switches....................................................................................................122
Seat Belt Cutter..........................................................................................................122
Wheel chocks.............................................................................................................122
Reflective Triangles...................................................................................................122
Radio/Cellular Phone.................................................................................................123
Student Pickup Procedures......................................................................................123
Early Bus Arrival at School.......................................................................................123
Late Bus Arrival at Home..........................................................................................123
Late Student Boarding from Home...........................................................................124
Communication with Parents at the Pickup Site.....................................................124
Seat Belt Securement................................................................................................124
During the Bus Ride..................................................................................................125
Seatbelt Options for Special Needs Students.........................................................125
Bus Close-Down........................................................................................................125
Summary ....................................................................................................................126
Additional Resources................................................................................................126

Chapter Four:
The Lift Bus and Students Using Mobility Aids

Lift-Equipped Regular Bus........................................................................................128
Lift-Equipped Special Needs Bus.............................................................................129
Rear-Lift Equipped Buses.........................................................................................129
Front-Lift Equipped Buses........................................................................................129
Wheelchair Securement Orientation........................................................................130
Wider Aisles and Lift-Equipped Buses....................................................................130
Space Requirements for Wheelchairs......................................................................130
Seating and Lift-Equipped Buses.............................................................................131
Seat Belts on Special Needs Buses.........................................................................131
Seat Belts vs. Physical Restraint Systems..............................................................132
Special Needs Student Medical Authorization to Use Seat Belts..........................133
Personal Equipment Stowage on the Special Needs Bus......................................134
Parental Guidelines for Lift Bus Service..................................................................134
Lift Bus Student Guidelines......................................................................................134
Be ready at home for the ride to school ..................................................................135
Be ready at school for the ride home.......................................................................135