IDEA: Implications on the Professions

Learn more about what Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) really means and its impact on the professions.

Assistive Technology

IDEA includes a definition of "assistive technology device." Congress added an exception to the existing definition as follows: "The term [assistive technology] does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted, or the replacement of such device." The same exact language was also added as an exception to the "related services" definition.

Birth-to-Six Programs

IDEA allows States to combine their Part C early intervention and Part B, Section 619 pre-school grants to offer a unified birth to six program to better serve families of children with special needs and to use Part B and Part C monies to do so.

Early Intervening Services

IDEA allows local educational agencies (LEAs) to use up to 15 percent of its IDEA Part B funds for supportive services to help students in kindergarten through grade 12 not yet identified with disabilities, but who require additional academic and behavioral supports to succeed in a general education environment.

Specific Learning Disabilities

IDEA 2004 retained the definition of specific learning disability as included in previous versions of IDEA since 1975.

Paperwork Reduction/Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)

Paperwork has consistently emerged as a top concern for ASHA's school-based members.

Qualified Providers

IDEA eliminated the requirement that state education personnel standards meet the highest requirement for a profession or discipline in that state. Under IDEA 1997, standards for school-based related services providers must have met the "highest requirement in the state" for a profession or discipline, although waivers were allowed on an emergency, temporary, or provisional basis.

Go to ASHA's IDEA website.