What Does "Low-Incidence" Mean?

Around the region, we are commonly referred to as the Autism Coaching Team (or ACT team). But did you know we also coach teams who serve students with low-incidence disabilities? This may have you wondering... What does "low-incidence" mean?

“Low incidence” is a general term used to describe disabilities that are less common within the general population. Examples of low-incidence disabilities include: 

• autism

• multiple disabilities

• hearing impairment

• orthopedic impairment

• visual impairment

• deaf-blindness

• deafness

• traumatic brain injury

• other health impairment (major)

Often, the complexities of these disabilities requires personnel with highly specialized skills and knowledge. However, since the occurrances of these disabilities is often so rare, educators may not have the prior training or experience needed to best serve the student. That is where we come in!

The unique role of the Autism & Low-Incidence Coaching Team allows us to see many students with low-incidence disabilities across the region. We get to see what works for these students and coach others on implementing similar interventions in their classrooms. 

We also are able to dedicate additional time and resources to finding evidence-based interventions and research specific to this population of students which translates to our coaching recommendations. Often, we find that busy teachers and specialists providing direct service to students have trouble finding the time and resources needed to do this research on their own so we are happy to help with providing this job-embedded professional development. 

Do you have a student with a low-incidence disability on your caseload? We would love to support you! Learn more about making a referral to our team here: Making an ACT Referral.