The Importance of Social Emotional Learning in Special Education: What LA Parents Need to Know

By Woodsmall Law Group, PC. on December 26, 2025

Every student has the right to learn the core curriculum in California, and it’s essential for schools to emphasize academic subjects like reading, math, science, and social studies. But it’s also important for children with disabilities to develop the ability to understand and manage emotions, build positive relationships, and navigate life’s challenges.

Social emotional learning can be a game-changer for children who are facing autism, ADHD, emotional disability, anxiety in schools, and other challenges.

Woodsmall Law Group, PC is a law firm in Pasadena that focuses on legal issues facing parents of children with special needs in Los Angeles. In this guide, we explain:

• What is SEL?
• Why SEL matters for children with special needs
• How SEL connects to IEPs and 504 plans
• What parents can do to ensure their child benefits from SEL services

What Is SEL?

At its core, social emotional learning (SEL) is the process of developing essential life skills in five areas:

1. Self-awareness: Recognizing emotions, thoughts, and strengths.
2. Self-management: Regulating behavior, managing stress, and setting goals.
3. Social awareness: Understanding and empathizing with others.
4. Relationship skills: Communicating, cooperating, and resolving conflicts.
5. Responsible decision-making: Making ethical and constructive choices.

When SEL is part of a special education plan, students learn skills that prepare them for life beyond the classroom.

Why Social Emotional Learning Matters in Special Education

For many students, academics are only part of the picture. Children who struggle with regulation, focus, or social interaction may not be able to fully access learning until these underlying needs are addressed. SEL is designed to help with exactly that.

• For students with autism: SEL supports social interaction, peer engagement, and understanding emotions, areas that are often difficult due to communication differences.
• For students with ADHD: SEL strategies focus on impulse control, organization, and goal-setting, which directly impacts classroom behavior and academic performance.
• For students with an emotional disability: SEL provides tools for recognizing triggers, managing intense emotions, and developing positive coping strategies.
• For students experiencing anxiety in schools: SEL programs teach calming techniques and help reduce the cycle of avoidance that often interferes with learning.
• For students with learning disabilities: SEL builds confidence and resilience, helping children persist when academics feel overwhelming.

SEL in Los Angeles Schools

Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has recognized the importance of SEL in recent years, introducing programs and training to better support students. California’s Department of Education has also issued guidelines encouraging districts to integrate SEL into daily instruction, emphasizing equity and inclusion.

In practice, this means LA schools are expected to:

• Offer school-based counseling for students with significant emotional or behavioral needs.
• Include SEL-focused goals in IEPs and 504 plans when appropriate.
• Provide training for teachers on SEL strategies, such as positive behavior interventions.
• Address issues like bullying, peer conflict, and school climate through SEL initiatives.

Still, not all schools implement these programs consistently, and parents may have to advocate to ensure their child receives appropriate SEL supports.

What SEL Looks Like in Special Education

In a special education setting, SEL can include:

• Emotional regulation supports: Visual aids, sensory breaks, or calming spaces where students can regroup.
• Peer interaction goals: Structured opportunities to practice social skills, such as role-playing or facilitated group activities.
• School-based counseling: Regular sessions with a counselor to work on coping strategies, stress management, and conflict resolution.
• Behavioral interventions: Positive reinforcement systems, self-monitoring checklists, and collaborative problem-solving with teachers.
• Family collaboration: Resources and training for parents to continue SEL practices at home.

When SEL is written into an IEP or 504 Plan, these supports become legally enforceable, meaning the school must consistently provide them.

How SEL Connects to IEPs and 504 Plans

If your child struggles with behavior, peer interactions, or anxiety, SEL should be part of their plan. Parents have the right to request evaluations and propose SEL goals during IEP or 504 meetings.

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, schools must address all areas of need, including social and emotional skills.

• An IEP may include SEL goals, such as “Student will identify three coping strategies to manage frustration in class,” or services like counseling and social skills training.
• A 504 Plan might list accommodations, such as allowing breaks for emotional regulation or providing a quiet testing space.

Long-Term Benefits of SEL

Research shows that students who receive consistent SEL support experience:

• Improved academic performance: When children can regulate emotions, they are better able to focus on schoolwork.
• Fewer behavioral issues: SEL reduces classroom disruptions by teaching constructive responses.
• Stronger relationships: Students develop trust with peers and teachers, creating a more positive school environment.
• Better long-term outcomes: SEL is linked to higher graduation rates, better mental health, and improved employment opportunities.

How Parents Can Advocate for SEL Services

Parents are their child’s strongest advocates. Here are steps you can take to ensure SEL is included in your child’s plan:

1. Request an evaluation: If your child struggles with behavior, emotions, or social skills, ask for a psychoeducational evaluation that includes social-emotional assessments.
2. Bring data to meetings: Share reports from therapists, doctors, or outside evaluators to demonstrate the need for SEL supports.
3. Propose specific goals: Don’t settle for vague language; request measurable SEL goals in the IEP or accommodations in a 504 Plan.
4. Ask about counseling services: Confirm whether your child qualifies for individual or group counseling through the school.
5. Monitor implementation: Follow up with teachers and staff to ensure SEL services are being delivered as written.
6. Seek legal support if needed: If the school refuses appropriate SEL services, a special education attorney can step in to enforce your child’s rights.

Speak With a Trusted Special Education Lawyer in Los Angeles

For students with autism, ADHD, emotional disabilities, learning disabilities, and anxiety, social emotional learning in special education is not just beneficial; it’s essential.

At Woodsmall Law Group, PC we understand the challenges families face. Our legal team has decades of experience advocating for children with disabilities across Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley. We help parents prepare for IEP meetings, push for SEL services, and hold schools accountable under state and federal law.

If you have any concerns about the services your child is receiving or their education plan,  contact Woodsmall Law Group, PC today by calling (626) 440-0028 today. We’ll be happy to answer your questions during a free consultation.