School based

IDEA

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; federal special education law that guarantees FAPE in the LRE for eligible students with disabilities; the disability must adversely affect educational performance

FAPE | Free Appropriate Public Education;

special education and related services provided at public expense, under public supervision, and delivered according to an IEP

LRE | Least Restrictive Environment;

students with disabilities are educated with nondisabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate

IDEA Part B

Covers ages 3-21; special education and related services in schools (preschool section is ages 3-5)

IDEA Part C

Covers birth to age 3; early intervention services delivered under an IFSP in natural environments, with a family-centered focus

IFSP | Individualized Family Service Plan;

the plan for birth-3 under Part C; focuses on the child AND family; written by a team including the family and service coordinator

IEP | Individualized Education Program

legally binding written plan for a student eligible for special education under IDEA (ages 3-21)

IEP components

Present levels of performance (PLAAFP), measurable annual goals, services and accommodations/modifications, participation with nondisabled peers, how progress is measured, and transition plan

IEP team

Parents, at least one general ed teacher, at least one special ed teacher, school district representative (LEA), someone who can interpret evaluation results, the student when appropriate, and related service providers (like OT) as needed

IEP review timing

Reviewed at least annually; reevaluation at least every 3 years (unless parent and school agree it’s unnecessary)

IEP transition plan

Must begin no later than the first IEP in effect when the student turns 16 (some states start earlier); includes postsecondary goals for education, employment, and independent living

OT under IDEA

Related service (not a stand-alone eligibility category); must support educational performance and participation, not just medical or clinical goals

13 IDEA disability categories

Autism, deaf-blindness, deafness, emotional disturbance, hearing impairment, intellectual disability, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, specific learning disability, speech/language impairment, traumatic brain injury, visual impairment

Section 504 | Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973;

a civil rights law that prohibits disability discrimination in any program receiving federal funds

504 Plan

Written plan of accommodations and services that gives a student equal ACCESS to education; does not require specialized instruction

IEP vs 504

IEP (IDEA) = specialized instruction + related services for one of the 13 categories; 504 = accommodations for equal access under civil rights law with a broader definition of disability

IDEA vs 504 funding

IDEA provides federal funding to schools; 504 is an unfunded civil rights mandate

RTI / MTSS | Response to Intervention / Multi-Tiered System of Supports;

Tier 1 = universal for all students, Tier 2 = targeted small group, Tier 3 = intensive individualized

OT role in Tier 1

Classroom-wide strategies and teacher training, such as sensory-friendly environments, handwriting programs, and seating for all students

Birth to 3 years

IDEA Part C early intervention; IFSP; services in natural environments like the home or daycare; family-centered

3 to 5 years

Preschool special education under IDEA Part B; IEP; play-based

5 to 21 years

School-age special education under IDEA Part B; IEP, plus transition services starting by 16

ADHD

Inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, or combined presentation; supports include movement breaks, structured routines, and seating options

Cerebral palsy

Non-progressive disorder of movement and posture caused by brain injury before, during, or shortly after birth; types are spastic, athetoid/dyskinetic, ataxic, and mixed

Spina bifida (myelomeningocele)

Neural tube defect causing sensory/motor loss below the lesion; often hydrocephalus with a shunt; LATEX ALLERGY precaution; monitor skin integrity

Duchenne muscular dystrophy

X-linked, progressive muscle weakness mostly in boys;

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Chronic joint inflammation in children; joint protection, energy conservation, splinting, and morning stiffness considerations

Arthrogryposis

Multiple joint contractures present at birth; focus on adaptive equipment and functional positioning

Backward chaining

Adult completes all steps but the last, which the child does; gradually add earlier steps for success and independence

School Function Assessment (SFA)

Judgment-based tool for grades K-6 that measures participation, task supports, and activity performance in school

Peabody Developmental Motor Scales (PDMS-2)

Fine and gross motor assessment for birth to 5 years

BOT-2 | Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency;

ages 4-21; fine and gross motor skills

Beery VMI |

Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration; copying geometric forms

PEDI-CAT

Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory; functional skills in daily activities, mobility, and social/cognitive domains