Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a Federal law that determines whether students with specific learning disabilities are eligible for special educational services. The law requires that a child’s school must provide an evaluation if a child is suspected of having a specific learning disability. 

Diagnosis of a learning disorder can qualify students for special programs and school services. Learning difficulties that qualify for such services cannot be due to other physical or psychological conditions, such as intellectual impairment, vision or hearing problems, neurological conditions resulting from strokes or brain damage, or other such difficulties.

Under this program, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is created for students who qualify for special assistance, delineating the special education services and accommodations that will be provided. This is a legally binding document that sets out the services that should be made available, including:

• Instructional support such as specialized instruction techniques, modified assignments, or a teaching assistant.
• Behavioral intervention to help manage impulsivity, difficulty maintaining attention, or hyperactivity.
• Assistive technology like laptops with specialized software.
• Test accommodations include extended time, frequent breaks, or a quieter room for taking tests.