Hi and welcome to Ask Missy Mondays where I respond to email questions from readers who have questions about behavior. Today’s question comes from an anonymous writer who recently learned about services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA). Individuals who are eligible for services under the IDEIA, may receive a variety of services including but not limited to:
- Audiology
- Counseling
- Early Identification and Assessment
- Medical Services
- OT and PT
- Orientation and Mobility
- Parent Counseling and Training
- Psychological
- Recreation
- Rehabilitation
- School Health
- Social Work
- Speech Pathology
- Transportation
- Interpreters
- Assistive Technology
The anonymous reader asked, “Parents can receive services under parent counseling and training? Do schools have to teach ABA to parents?”
The short answer to these questions: yes and yes.
The long answer is a bit more complicated.
The IEP and IFSP Drive Services
The document that is developed is incredibly important. The document, whether it is the Individualized Education Program (IEP) or the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), determines what services are needed. Take extra care when developing your child’s IEP or IFSP.
Parent Counseling and Training Defined
The IDEIA has defined parent counseling and training. Specifically, parent counseling and training is for assisting parents in understanding the special needs of their child, providing parents with information about child development, and helping parents learn the skills that will help them carry out their child’s IEP or IFSP.
Thus, if you need to learn ABA in order to carry out your child’s IEP or IFSP, then by all means, the agency must provide you with training on ABA.
Treat the IEP and IFSP as a Contract
We cannot stress enough the importance of carefully developing your child’s IEP or IFSP. Read over every single detail before agreeing to its implementation. The signed document is your child’s contract with the agency until the next IEP or IFSP is developed.
If you have questions about behavior, email Missy at askmissy at appliedbehavioralstrategies dot com.
[…] Comments « Schools Have to Teach Parents to Do ABA? […]
Hello.. I need to ask if in new jersey if possible to have aba in my son IEP.
Thank you
Hi Jeanette, Thanks for writing. I am not an expert in New Jersey schools. However, ABA is an evidenced based methodology. Your child’s school is required to use an evidenced based method. So, find out what they are doing. And, suggest that ABA be utilized.
[…] Parent training under IDEIA […]