MILITARY LIFE

PROBLEM SOLVING: A full evaluation consisting of a variety of tests and procedures identifying a child's strength and weakness in academic, physical, cognitive, and developmental areas should be performed.

SPECIAL EDUCATION: THE BASICS

Special education is specially designed instruction provided to meet the unique needs of a child with special needs, ages 3 through 21.

ELIGIBILITY

Parents or guardians who suspect their child may need special education services to succeed educationally should request that the school complete a full evaluation. A full evaluation consisting of a variety of tests and procedures identifying a child's areas of strength and weakness determines a child's eligibility for special education services. A child's ability to function in the following areas may be assessed:

• Academic
• Physical
• Cognitive
• Behavioral
• Developmental
• Speech and language

After the evaluation is completed, the results are compared with the definitions of various disability categories defined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act:

• Intellectual disability
• Hearing impairments
• Traumatic brain injury
• Visual impairments
• Speech-language impairments
• Deafness/blindness
• Emotional disturbance
• Autism spectrum disorders
• Specific learning disabilities
• Multiple disabilities
• Orthopedic impairments
• Developmental delays
• Other health impairments

INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM AND PLACEMENT

If a child is found to need special education services, the parents and the school work together to develop an Individualized Education Program. By law, an IEP is a written summary of the

child's needs and the educational program designed to meet them. An important part of the IEP is the determination of the child's least restrictive environment. This is the educational setting the child will be in during the school day, and it may change throughout the day, depending on the child's needs. The child should spend as much time as possible being educated with age- appropriate peers in a general education setting, unless the needs of the child prevent satisfactory progress despite the use of supplementary aids and services.

ANNUAL AND TRIENNIAL REVIEWS

Once a year, the school system is required to review the child's IEP. Parents must be notified in writing of the annual review meeting and who will be attending.

A triennial review is conducted at least every three years to determine if the child continues to meet criteria for special education and related services as defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. •

– Military OneSource

ABOUT THE EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY MEMBER PROGRAM

EFMP EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY MEMBER PROGRAM

The Exceptional Family Member Program strives to help your military family with special needs thrive in military life. EFMP is more than just one program or connection point. It's the work of three components: Identification and Enrollment, Assignment Coordination and Family Support. For additional assistance, including specialty consultations, planning tools, non-medical counseling and more, call or visit militaryonesource.mil | 800-342-9647