The Waltham Public Schools Special Education Department is responsible for making sure that our 1000 students with special education needs successfully access the general education curriculum with the support of specialized instruction and support services. Our students, who range in age from 3 to 22 years old and are in grades Pre-K through post grade 12, have learning needs that are met in the least restrictive educational environment as possible. Specialized programs are found in each building.
Welcome to Special Education
Waltham Support Services
Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, School Adjustment Counseling, and Speech and Language Therapy
Parents' Notice of Procedural Safeguards
DESE's notice to parents about procedural safeguards for all students receiving services in MA public schools.
Public Awareness Campaign about Autism, Wandering, and Water Safety:
Improving safety for all children, including children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a top priority. Up to half of children with ASD will leave a safe place without telling anyone. This wandering behavior, also called elopement or bolting, often occurs when the child tries to get something they want or like, wants to escape overwhelming feelings or sensations, is transitioning, or is just exploring. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children with ASD, often as the result of wandering.
The state Department of Developmental Services, Office of the Child Advocate, Department of Children and Families, DESE, Department of Public Health, and the Federation for Children with Special Needs recently developed a public awareness campaign. This includes several resources for caregivers, such as tips for securing homes and water sources, recognizing dangers, and more.
Has COVID impacted your transition from high school?
Federation for Children with Special Needs Information Center Flyer (English)
The Flyer is also available in:
Albanian, Arabic, Creole, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Hmong, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Laotian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese
Our District/SEPAC is part of the MassPAC network at the Federation for Children with Special Needs which gives families and educators access to a monthly series of virtual workshops on special education rights and other important topics. Basic rights workshops will be offered each week throughout the year, you can sign up for as many as you want!
Families and educators are welcome to register at https://fcsn.org/events/month/2025-09/, a confirmation email will be sent with the zoom link to participate.
The WSEPAC is a state mandated and supported advisory group comprised of parents, guardians, teachers and administrators working in partnership to promote an innovative environment where children with learning challenges have equal access to educational opportunities, while ensuring that our schools strive to improve educational outcomes for all children. Our meetings are free and open to the public.
For more information call (781) 856-7165
Visit WalthamSEPAC on Facebook!
