Special Education Concepts 

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal program that provides funds to school districts to help support the education of children with disabilities.  IDEA outlines the disabilities that are covered under the program (such as mental retardation and autism), and provides guidelines for educating and providing services to children with disabilities in order to protect and guarantee their right to a free and appropriate education. 

An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a unique program that is developed by parents, teachers, administrators, and others to address the educational needs of a particular child.  A child who is eligible for a special education and additional services may have an IEP that includes information such as his or her current level of functioning, goals, special services, and any other information that is relevant to providing him or her with an appropriate education.  IEP’s are typically reviewed once a year and are modified as necessary to help the child reach his or her goals.   

A 504 Plan is a legal document that is a part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  It serves to assist students with special needs who are in a regular classroom and includes information about the child’s disability, his or her needs for special accommodations, and detailed information about the accommodations (such as how often the child will receive services) that the school is responsible for providing.  All children who are covered under IDEA are also covered under 504 plans.  However, depending on their diagnoses, some children who are covered under a 504 are not covered under IDEA because 504’s cover more disabilities than IDEA. 

Child Find is a requirement of IDEA that instructs states to actively find and evaluate all children with disabilities who are in need of early intervention or special education services.

Professionals:

• Social Worker

• School Psychologist

• Clinical Psychologist

• Neuropsychologist

• Child and Adolescent Board Certified Psychiatrist

• Occupational Therapist

• Physical Therapist

• Speech and Language Specialist/Pathologist

• Pediatric Neurologist