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Special Needs Child

Patient Presents

Ben, a 2 yr 10 month boy, has been referred to a public school system for eligibility assessment for services under the provisions of Public Law 101-476.

In 1990, the Education of the Handicapped Act was reauthorized and renamed IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and has been revised since then. Part B of 101-476 guarantees special education and related services to preschool children aged 3 to 5. Related services include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, etc.

The State of Missouri requires all school districts to identify, evaluate, and place children with disabilities in the following consecutive steps accompanied by the appropriate forms:

• Screening form
• Alternate Intervention Strategies form
• Referral form
• Evaluation Plan form
• Diagnostic Summary form
• Individual Education Plan form
• Placement form

Ben presents as spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy with significant delays in motor and speech development and was diagnosed under the following classification:

• spasticity: tight limb muscles
• athetosis: purposeless movement
• rigidity: severe form of spasticity
• cerebral ataxia: lack of balance