4.3.3 Related Services

The IEP must also include “a statement of the special education and related services and supplementary aids and services, based on peer-reviewed research to the extent practicable” and the “program modifications or supports for school personnel” that will allow appropriate advancement towards the student’s annual goals and progress in the general education curriculum.1  “Related Services” are “developmental, corrective, and other supportive services as are required to assist a student with a disability to benefit from special education.”2  The long, non-exhaustive list of related services enumerated in special education regulations include transportation, speech language pathology and audiology services, interpreting services, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, recreation (including therapeutic recreation), early identification and assessment of disabilities in students, counseling services, including rehabilitation counseling, orientation and mobility services, medical services for diagnostic or evaluation purposes, school health services and school nurse services, social work services in schools, and parent counseling and training.3  Generally, any related service for which there is a documented needed should be included as part of a student’s IEP.4  For some related services to be added to the IEP, however, there must be a finding in a special education evaluation that the student meets specific eligibility criteria for the service established in Louisiana Bulletin 1508.5  The related services for which a student must qualify through a special education evaluation are school health services, occupational therapy, orientation and mobility services, physical therapy, school psychological, school social work, and speech/language pathology services.6

  • 120 U.S.C. § 1414(d)(1)(A)(i)(IV); La. Bulletin 1706 § 320(A)(4).
  • 2La. Bulletin 1706 § 905 (defining Related Services); 20 U.S.C. § 1401(26)(A).
  • 3La. Bulletin 1706 § 905 (defining Related Services); 20 U.S.C. § 1401(26)(A).
  • 4La. Bulletin 1530 § 309(A).
  • 5Id.
  • 6La. Bulletin 1508 § 1501(B).

Disclaimer: The articles in the Gillis Long Desk Manual do not contain any legal advice.