Understanding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

If you are a school-based provider, it is critical that you know and understand what IDEA really means—and its impact on the professions. The following topic areas identify (1) what IDEA says and (2) the implications for ASHA members.

Interested in ASHA’s advocacy efforts on IDEA funding? Learn more and see how you can get involved.

IDEA Terminology and Definitions

• Assistive Technology Definition Revision
• Birth-to-Six Program
• Early Intervening Services
• Paperwork Reduction/Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
• Qualified Providers
• Specific Learning Disabilities

School Funding Advocacy

• Early Intervening Services:
  • Funding Implications for Audiologists [PDF]
  • Funding Implications for SLPs [PDF]

IDEA Part C: Infants and Toddlers (Birth–Age 2)

Infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families may receive early intervention services under IDEA Part C.

• Cultural and Linguistic Diversity
• Evaluation and Assessment Definitions
• Implications for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists Who Provide Services for Infants and Toddlers With Hearing Loss and Their Families
• Individualized Family Service Plan
• Natural Environments
• Personnel Qualifications
• Referral Timelines and Requirements
• Service Coordination
• Transitions (Including Part C to Part B and Exiting Part C)
• ASHA Analysis on IDEA Part C Final Regulations [PDF]

IDEA Part B: Children and Youth Ages 3–21

• Parental Consent
  • Parental Consent for Use of Public Benefits or Insurance to Provide or Pay for Services Under IDEA Part B
  • Parental Consent and Use of Public Benefits or Insurance Rule FAQs
• Children with Disabilities Enrolled By Their Parents in Private Schools
• Cochlear Implants
• Continuum of Service Delivery Options
• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students
• Early Intervening Services
• Identification of Specific Learning Disabilities
• Individualized Education Programs and Eligibility for Services 
• Interpreting Services for the Deaf or Hard of Hearing
• Medicaid and Other Third-Party Reimbursement
• Missed Sessions
  • 2007 OSEP Guidance on Missed Sessions (OSEP’s Response Letter of Guidance [PDF])
• Personnel Qualifications
• Uses of Special Education Funds
• ASHA Analysis: 2008 IDEA Part B Supplemental Final Regulations [PDF]
• IDEA Part B Final Regulations: A Side-by-Side Comparison Analysis [PDF]
• Policy Guidance for IDEA

IDEA law offers state personnel preparation and professional development grants that ASHA members may qualify for.

Other Resources

• U.S. Department of Education’s website on IDEA
• Dear Colleague Letter [PDF]: Clarification of FAPE and Alignment With State Academic Standards
• IDEA and FERPA Confidentiality Provisions [PDF]