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Both early intervention and school-aged services are available through our nation’s special education law—the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Part C of IDEA deals with early intervention services (birth through 36 months of age), while Part B applies to services for school-aged children (3 through 21 years of age). Even if your child has not been diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP), he or she may be eligible for IDEA services. Part C of IDEA: Early Intervention for Babies and ToddlersEarly intervention services can help children from birth through 36 months of age learn new skills, whether they have been identified recently with motor and movement delays or already have a CP diagnosis. Early intervention services can start even before a CP diagnosis is made. Depending on the child’s needs, early intervention services might include family training, counseling, and home visits; occupational, physical, or speech therapy; hearing loss services; health, nutrition, social work, and assistance with service coordination; assistive technology devices and services; and transportation. Before Part C services start, an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) is developed by a team, which includes the parents and all providers who work with the child and the family. The IFSP describes the child’s present level of development, the family’s strengths and needs, the specific services to be provided to the child and the family, and a plan to transition to public school. To learn more about early intervention services for babies and toddlers, visit the Center for Parent Information and Resources websiteexternal icon. Part B of IDEA: Services for School-Aged ChildrenServices for school-aged children with developmental disabilities (3 through 21 years of age) are provided free of charge through the public school system. Among the services covered under IDEA are special education; related services such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy; and supplementary aids and services, such as adaptive equipment or special communication systems. Before Part B services start, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is developed for children 3 through 21 years of age who qualify for special education services from school districts. An IEP is similar to an IFSP, but more focused on the child’s goals rather than on the family’s goals. To learn more about Part B services for school-aged children, visit the Center for Parent Information and Resources websiteexternal icon. CLICK HERE FOR PDF Six Principles of IDEA the Individuals with Disabilities Education ActThe Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that created rules and guidelines for special education. The law gives eligible children with disabilities rights to the specially designed instruction and individualized services and supports they need to benefit from public education. The IDEA has six foundational principles, which are outlined below. Principle 1: Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)The IDEA gives each eligible child with disabilities the right to a free appropriate public education. FAPE means educational services:
Special education programs must:
Principle 2: Appropriate EvaluationThe IDEA requires that a student must receive an evaluation before providing special education services to determine: (1) whether the student qualifies as “child with a disability” according to the IDEA definition, and if so, (2) to determine the educational needs of the student.
Re-evaluations may occur when:
Independent educational evaluations:
Principle 3: Individualized Education Program (IEP)An IEP is a written statement for each child with a disability that is developed, reviewed, and revised at least once a year by a team including educators, parents, the student whenever appropriate, and others who have knowledge or expertise needed for the development of the student’s special education program. The key word is individualized. The IEP must contain measurable goals written for where we want a student’s skills to be in a year. It must also be designed to offer meaningful progress in the general education curriculum and functional performance. Special education is not a place. The goals and services should be designed without preset expectations for where the services will be provided. The educational program is determined first; the placement or educational setting is determined second:
Principle 4: Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)The IDEA requires that “...To the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities, including children in public or private institutions or other care facilities, are educated with children who are not disabled.” Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) means that:
Principle 5: Parent and student participation in decision makingThe IDEA is very specific about what schools must do to ensure that parents have the opportunity to be active participants in each step of the special education process. Parents, and (whenever appropriate) the student, must be meaningfully involved in:
Principle 6: Procedural SafeguardsThe IDEA includes important procedural safeguards to ensure that the rights of children with disabilities and their parents are protected and that they have access to the information needed to effectively participate in the process. Parents are entitled to notice in writing including:
Parents are entitled to access student records:
Parents have a variety of procedural protections they can invoke when they disagree with educators:
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What are the basic requirements of IDEA?Following are the six major principles of the IDEA, focusing on students' rights and the responsibilities of public schools to children with disabilities.. Free Appropriate Public Education. ... . Appropriate Evaluation. ... . Individualized Education Plan. ... . Least Restrictive Environment. ... . Parent Participation. ... . Procedural Safeguards.. Which of the following students can receive services under IDEA?Infants and toddlers, birth through age 2, with disabilities and their families receive early intervention services under IDEA Part C. Children and youth ages 3 through 21 receive special education and related services under IDEA Part B.
What are the 3 major components of IDEA?IDEA Essential Components. Continuous Improvement.. Early Learning Family Support.. What are the components under the IDEA?In practice, IDEA is composed of six main elements that illuminate its main points. These six elements are: Individualized Education Program (IEP); Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE); Least Restrictive Environment (LRE); Appropriate Evaluation; Parent and Teacher Participation; and Procedural Safeguards.
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