A child with a diagnosis of autism has many tools at their disposal to grow. At Essential Speech and ABA Therapy, we emphasize early intervention. Utilizing various methods of ABA Therapy helps kids catch up to their peer group. As they transition into a traditional primary school, a teacher may suggest an Individualized Education Program.
Educators can design an 'Individualized Education Program', or IEP, to help students with disabilities achieve academic success. If your child needs an IEP for the upcoming school year, we’ll outline several ways to obtain this life-changing tool.
What is an IEP?
An IEP is a roadmap for your child’s education. Typically, an IEP lists the instructions, supports, and services a student needs to thrive in the classroom. An IEP also contains additional information, such as:
Your child’s involvement and progress in the curriculum.
Any services your child qualifies for.
Appropriate educational accommodations for your child to succeed in school.
Your child’s current level of academic performance.
Measurable goals for your child’s education.
You can view a sample IEP on the National Association of Special Education Teachers’ website.
Who Qualifies for an IEP?
Thirteen different categories automatically qualify a child for an IEP. They are:
Autism
Deaf-Blindness
Deafness
Emotional Disturbance (such as anxiety or depression)
Hearing Impairment
Intellectual Disability
Multiple Disabilities
Orthopedic Impairment
Other Health Impairments
Specific Learning Disability
Speech/Language Impediment
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Visual Impairments
For your child to qualify for an IEP, there must be a “negative educational impact on the child’s performance in school.” While public schools offer IEPs, many private schools do not. If you are enrolling your child in a private school, remember to discuss necessary accommodations with your administration.
How Does My Child Obtain an IEP?
While IEP processes vary from state to state, the initial application procedure is the same. First, the school will need to evaluate your child. You can write an email or a letter to your child’s teacher, the special education director, the principal, the superintendent, or a counselor.
This letter must contain a few important details, including the date, your child’s full name, your name, the reason you believe your child must be evaluated, and your contact information. You can also include evidence that demonstrates your child’s needs, such as report cards, schoolwork samples, and your notes( also remember to keep a copy for your records!). Once your child has been evaluated, you’ll work with your school to craft an IEP. 2
If the school determines your child does not meet the eligibility criteria for special education, you can request a private evaluation. If your child isn’t approved after a private evaluation, consider a dispute resolution or a 504 plan.
Early Intervention Services
Before they attend school, babies and toddlers are eligible for early intervention services. Early intervention helps young children reach developmental milestones - which, in turn, increases their well-being and performance in school. 3 While early intervention processes vary from state to state, children are eligible for these resources if:
They have a developmental delay or
They have a specific condition that may lead to delays.
A child who qualifies for early intervention may receive one of the following:
Speech and language therapy
Physical or occupational therapy
Psychological services
Home visits
Medical, nursing, or nutrition services
Hearing (audiology) or vision services
Social work services
Are you looking for early intervention services that emphasize integration into classroom environments? Essential Speech and ABA Therapy provides Speech, Occupational, and ABA Therapy all under one roof.
Our emphasis on Natural Environment Teaching (also called NET) means that children learn new skills in natural environments (such as their school or the local community). In our program, your child will be exposed to classroom environments and activities to help them succeed on their first day of school. Interested?
Read more about our enrollment process on our website!
Sources
Belsky G. What is an IEP? www.understood.org. Published 2022. https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-is-an-iep
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What is “Early Intervention”?. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published April 11, 2018. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/parents/states.html
Tollan K, Jezrawi R, Underwood K, Janus M. A Review on Early Intervention Systems. Curr Dev Disord Rep. 2023;10(2):147-153. doi: 10.1007/s40474-023-00274-8. Epub 2023 Feb 18. PMID: 36845328; PMCID: PMC9937857.
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