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 Toddlers
Early 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 Children
Services 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.
Home » About IDEA The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law that makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children.
The IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education, and related services to more than 7.5 million (as of school year 2018-19) eligible infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities.
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.
Additionally, the IDEA authorizes:
- Formula grants to states to support special education and related services and early intervention services.
- Discretionary grants to state educational agencies, institutions of higher education, and other nonprofit organizations to support research, demonstrations, technical assistance and dissemination, technology development, personnel preparation and development, and parent-training and -information centers.
Congress reauthorized the IDEA in 2004 and most recently amended the IDEA through Public Law 114-95, the Every Student Succeeds Act, in December 2015.
In the law, Congress states:
Disability is a natural part of the human experience and in no way diminishes the right of individuals to participate in or contribute to society. Improving educational results for children with disabilities is an essential element of our national policy of ensuring equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities.
Other Laws for Children with Disabilities
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) provides additional resources of interest for individuals with disabilities and their families.
OCR does not enforce the IDEA; however, OCR does enforce the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Title II rights of IDEA-eligible students with disabilities.
To learn more, visit the OCR’s Frequently Asked Questions About Section 504 and the Education of Children with Disabilities.
Visit OCR’s website for additional resources, including Disability Discrimination FAQs.
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