Multiple Disabilities Support (MDS) Classroom Programs
What are the MDS Classrooms?
The Montgomery County Intermediate Unit Multiple Disabilities Support Classrooms are geared towards students in grades K-12 with low incidence disabilities requiring support in the areas of communication, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, adaptive skills and cognitive deficits. This classroom-based program is focused on a combination of academics, life skills, and medical needs. Particular emphasis is placed on building individual student communication and language skills. The goal of the program is to build a solid foundation to have the student be as independent as possible using the Project Maxx mindset of presumed competence. Classroom instruction is individualized to each student and assessing the student’s most effective communication system is ongoing.

What is included in the program?
- Certified special education teacher
- Licensed Practical Nurse/Teacher Assistant
- Behavior consultation
- SETT meetings and planning
- Community Based Instruction
- Access to assistive technology for trials
- Access to specialized equipment such as standers and gait trainers
- Access to social worker
- Paperwork including IEP’s and reevaluations
- Adaptive Physical Education
- Administrative supervision
What Inclusion opportunities are available?
- Specials
- Assemblies
- Lunch/recess
- Other areas as determined by the IEP team
What other services are available?
Hearing Support Services
Direct and Consultative
Occupational Therapy Services
Direct and Consultative
Orientation & Mobility Services
Direct and Consultative
Physical Therapy Services
Direct and Consultative
Speech Services
Direct and Consultative
Vision Support Services
Direct and Consultative
Deaf-Blind Resource Team
Consultative
Behavior Support
Direct 1:1 Assistants
Extended School Year Program

Kelly Lauer
Program Administrator for Autistic Support, MDS, and Life Skill
klauer@mciu.org
Office: 484-808-5345
Kelly Lauer has over 20 years of experience in the education field. She has held various roles such as Teacher of Students who are Visually Impaired (TVI), Assistive Technology Specialist, and Co-Chair of the Deaf-Blind Resource Team. She has also held certifications as an Apple Certified Teacher, OSMO Certified Ambassador, Certified Microsoft Innovative Educator, Google Educator, and JAWS certified professional. Kelly has experience working within the approved private school, district, and itinerant setting. She has served on the Board of Director for The Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (Penn-Del AER), Middle States Accreditation, and website redesign committees. She is passionate about Universal Design for Learning and accessible technology integration to meet the needs of diverse learners in the classroom. Â
Kelly graduated from Kutztown University with certifications in Elementary Education and Special Education – Visually Impaired, earned a Master’s in Educational Learning Differences and PreK-12 Special Education from Cabrini University, Assistive Technology Certification from California State University Northridge (CSUN), and currently completing her doctorate in Special Education Leadership from Gwynedd Mercy University.Â
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