Related services (IEP)

Related services are extra supports a school gives so a child with a disability can gain from special education. They come from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). They're written into your child's individualized education program (IEP). Examples include speech therapy, occupational therapy, school nurse services, transportation, and parent counseling and training. The law's list isn't complete, so other services can count too. It doesn't name applied behavior analysis (ABA), though it does include help with positive behavior plans.

The IEP team decides which related services your child needs, and your child may not need them all. They come at no cost to your family.

Each related service in the IEP has a start date. The IEP also says how often, where and for how long it happens. The amount can't change without another IEP meeting, and IEP goals can be written for a related service. You can ask that the person who gives a service join the IEP meeting. School and insurance rules are separate. Being in an IEP doesn't by itself make a service medically necessary for Medicaid.

• Ask the IEP team: Ask which related services the team considered for your child and why each was or wasn't chosen.
• Ask about the details: Ask how often, where and for how long each service will happen, and who will provide it.
• Ask about parent training: Ask the team whether parent counseling and training could help you support your child's IEP at home.