Questions and Answers about IDEA - Exceptional Children's ...

• speech-language pathology and audiologyservices;• interpreting services;• psychological services;• physical therapy and occupational therapy;• recreation, including therapeutic recreation;• early identification and assessment ofdisabilities in children;• counseling services, including rehabilitationcounseling;• orientation and mobility services;• medical services for diagnostic or evaluationpurposes only;• school health services and school nurse services;• social work services in schools; and• parent counseling and training. 28The list of related services in IDEA is notintended to be exhaustive, which means that otherdevelopmental, corrective, or support services can beprovided as “related services” if they are required tohelp a child benefit from special education.However, related services may not include a medicaldevice (such as a cochlear implant) that is surgicallyimplanted, optimizing how the device functions,maintaining the device, or replacing it. 29 The publicagency does remain responsible for appropriatelymonitoring and maintaining medical devices thatare needed to maintain your child’s health andsafety, including breathing, nutrition, or operationof other bodily functions, while your child is atschool or being transported to and from school. 30The public agency is also responsible for routinelychecking children’s hearing aids and the externalcomponent of a surgically implanted device tomake sure they are functioning properly. 31For more details about related services,including how each individual service listed above isdefined, please visit NICHCY’s Web pages devotedto related services, beginning at:www.nichcy.org/EducateChildren/IEP/Pages/RelatedServices.aspxConcludingWorordsIDEA is a very important law, especially in thelives of children with disabilities and their families.To learn more, we invite you to read our other Q&Ason IDEA and visit NICHCY’s website, where stillmore information on educating children withdisabilities can be found, downloaded, and freelyshared with others.28Ibid.2934 CFR §300.34(b)—Related services: Exception.3034 CFR §300.34(b)(2)(ii)—Related services:Exception.3134 CFR §300.113—Routine checking of hearingaids and external components of surgicallyimplanted medical devices.Q&A about IDEA: Purposes and Key Definitions, April 2009This publication is copyright free. Readers are encouraged to copy and share it, but please creditNICHCY, the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities.We’d like to thank our Project Officer, Judy L. Shanley, Ph.D., at the Office of SpecialEducation Programs (OSEP) of the U.S. Department of Education, for her support of thispublication and of NICHCY itself. A special thanks goes out to the Office of Policy andPlanning, at OSEP, for their involvement and the fine-tooth-comb review to ensure this document’s consistency withthe requirements of IDEA 2004. NICHCY is made possible through Cooperative Agreement Number H326N030003between OSEP and the Academy for Educational Development. The contents of this document do not necessarilyreflect the views or policies of the Department of Education, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products,or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.NICHCY: 1.800.695.0285 8 Questions and Answers about IDEA