Part C of the IDEA: Early Intervention |
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The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is probably best known for its goal of making sure that children with certain disabilities get a "free appropriate public education," or FAPE. This includes special education and other services specifically designed to meet each child's special needs. This is known as Part B of the IDEA. It applies to eligible children between the ages of 3 and 21.
Many parents may not know about Part C of the IDEA, though. Under this part, certain children under three years old, and their families, are entitled to various kinds of assistance and services.
What Part C Provides
Part C provides early intervention services for infants and toddlers (up to 3 years old) who have developmental delays; or have been diagnosed with physical or mental condition (like blindness or Down Syndrome) that creates a high probability that the child will suffer a developmental delay. Some states cover children who are at risk of experiencing a substantial developmental delay if they don't receive early intervention services. So, what's all that mean, exactly?
Early intervention services can be any number of services, education and support mechanisms that help your child's physical, cognitive, communication, social, emotional or adaptive development. The special rules or "regulations" for Part C list possible early intervention services. Some examples include family training and counseling, nursing assistance and physical therapy.
Generally, a developmental delay is when an infant or toddler develops or matures at a slower rate than other children her age when it comes to her communication skills or her physical, cognitive, adaptive, or social or emotional development. For example, a two-year-old toddler who isn't talking yet may have a developmental delay in her communication skills. Each state has its own definition of definition of "developmental delay," so be sure to check the laws in your area.
How Part C Works
The federal government offers money to states to help them pay for early intervention services. Any state that takes this federal money must make sure that eligible infants and toddlers in the state receive the Part C services they need. Also, each state must create: