IDEA Parts C & B

Part C

Early Intervention (Birth-3 yrs)

Part C supports what?

-Supports infants/toddlers with delays or disabilities through family-centered, natural-environment services that promote daily-life participation.

IFSP

Individualized Family Service Plan

IFSP is required…

• Required under IDEA Part C; created within 45 days of referral

• Includes: service setting, frequency/duration, providers, and funding sources.

• Must justify services delivered outside natural environments

Eligibility for IFSP

• Automatic for diagnoses such a CP, Down Syndrome, Spina Bifida.

• Evaluated eligibility for suspected developmental delays.

OT Role for IFSP

• Assess fuction and guide family routines in motor, sensory, and adaptive areas

OT Interventions

• Modeling Playfulness- embed play into daily routines

• Community & Peer Play- promote social skill development

• Adapted Toys- ensure accessibility and independent play

• Joint engagement- foster shared focus between caregiver & child

Transition to Preschool

• This is apart of Part B

• Begins by age 2 (18 months, earliest)

Part B

-School based OT (3-21 yrs)

Part B Provides…

• It provides educationally relevant OT to support participation in academic, nonacademic, and extracurricular activities.

Legal Foundations Include

• Education for All Handicapped Children Act (1975) —> evolved into IDEA Part B

• FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education) —> individualized, no cost.

• LRE (Least Restrictive Environment) —> educated with nondisabled peers whenever possible.

IEP

• Individualized Education Program

An IEP Includes…

• Required for eligible students (3-21 yrs)

• Must include measurable goals & related services (OT, PT, SPEECH)

• Specifies start/end date, frequency, duration, and setting.

• Eligibility Categories: autism, orthopedic impairment, TBI, emotional disturbance, OHI, SLD, ect.

504 Plan

• This plan provides accommodations or modifications that help the student access the general education curriculum.

• Examples: extened test time, preferential seating.

Is IEP part of IDEA

• Yes, IEP is part of IDEA and is specifically for students with documented disabilities that impact their ability to perform in the general education setting.

An IEP provides more…

• An IEP provides more comprehensive support, including specialized instruction, services like speech therapy, and specific learning goals tailored to the student’s needs.

• It includes measurable goals for the student’s academic and fuctional progress and is updated annually.

• IEPs are for students who require more substantial modifications to their learning environment or curriculum, due to their disabilities.

OT Interventions At School

• Tier 1- promotion/prevention: whole-school programs (self-regulation, posture, focus)

• Tier 2- Targeted: small-group skill support (handwriting, organization)

• Tier 3- Intensive: direct 1:1 or small group for identified disabilities

• Direct Services: hands-on interventions in natural school settings (FM, self-regulation, social skills)

• Indirect Services: teacher training, environmental modifications, adaptive equipment recommendations, participation in PBSI initiatives.