Germantown
Municipal School District
Resources & Support
Supporting Families
Parents can explore a variety of thought-provoking articles about child development, special education best practices, and other practical tips for raising children with disabilities.
In addition to these resources, we offer Parent Workshops throughout the year, which are highlighted on this page. These workshops provide opportunities to learn, connect, and engage with experts and other parents in our community.
If you have any questions or need further support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the ESE department directly. We’re here to partner with you every step of the way.
Attend a Quarterly Parent Workshop
The GMSD Exceptional Student Education (ESE) department is excited to offer Parent Workshops each quarter, providing valuable resources and insights for families of students with IEPs.
In Quarter 1, parents explored the foundations of the IEP process during "IEP 101," and in Quarter 2, the session “Supporting ESE Families” featured expert advice on advocacy and navigating services. Both workshops were very well attended, and we plan to continue offering these informative sessions.
Parents of students with IEPs receive direct email invitations to these workshops, and information is also shared in the district’s weekly newsletter for those who are interested.
The Right Supports
Useful articles from our ESE Department
![A student laughs during music class]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1739296101/gmsdk12org/pd5ec79yiornb44zpvsv/OTvsPTThumbnail.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1739296101/gmsdk12org/pd5ec79yiornb44zpvsv/OTvsPTThumbnail.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1739296101/gmsdk12org/pd5ec79yiornb44zpvsv/OTvsPTThumbnail.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1739296101/gmsdk12org/pd5ec79yiornb44zpvsv/OTvsPTThumbnail.png","width":1080}])
Understanding School-Based Occupational Therapy vs. Physical Therapy
In the school setting, OT focuses on fine motor skills like writing, but PT focuses on gross motor skills like walking or running. Learn more about the differences between these two services and how your child could benefit.
![A teacher smiles at a student and points at her assignment.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1739295587/gmsdk12org/j3mr3hok28hkfitf0ksb/SpeechTherapythumbnail.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1739295587/gmsdk12org/j3mr3hok28hkfitf0ksb/SpeechTherapythumbnail.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1739295587/gmsdk12org/j3mr3hok28hkfitf0ksb/SpeechTherapythumbnail.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1739295587/gmsdk12org/j3mr3hok28hkfitf0ksb/SpeechTherapythumbnail.png","width":1080}])
School-Based Speech Therapy vs. Private Speech Therapy: What Parents Need to Know
The key difference between school-based and private speech therapy lies in their focus. School-based services aim to help children succeed in the classroom, while private therapy can address a wider range of needs.
![A student is at her desk writing.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1739294955/gmsdk12org/f5pqhu7tzch2aqenyncf/SchoolOTvsMedOTThumbnail.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1739294955/gmsdk12org/f5pqhu7tzch2aqenyncf/SchoolOTvsMedOTThumbnail.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1739294955/gmsdk12org/f5pqhu7tzch2aqenyncf/SchoolOTvsMedOTThumbnail.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1739294955/gmsdk12org/f5pqhu7tzch2aqenyncf/SchoolOTvsMedOTThumbnail.png","width":1080}])
What's the difference?: In School OT vs. Medical OT
Learn what makes school-based occupational therapy different from medical-based occupational therapy, and what we at GMSD can do to help your child succeed.