Are there....?

Question

Are there any special considerations in the design of an IEP for a student with multiple disabilities compared to an IEP for a student with one disability?

Answer 1

The special consideration that many school district personnel don't realize or understand is that once a child has an IEP, the child is to be served in *all areas of disability.* This includes areas of disability that they may not have qualified for an IEP if that alone was looked at.

Example:

My daughter had an IEP under OHI for Bipolar Disorder. However, in addition to that, she had some subtests in her written language that weren't adequate. The total score alone would not have qualified her for an IEP. It didn't matter. They still had to address those areas that weren't adequate because she already had an IEP.

Answer 2

An IEP by definition is individualized.  An IEP for a student with multiple disabilities will be longer just because there will be more goals and objectives to address all the needs of the student.  The modifications and adaptations section will be longer as well so the student's needs will be adequately addressed.  An IEP for a student with multiple disabilities would also probably include more people's input, like a physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, mobility expert, counselor, nurse, adaptive PE teacher, hearing specialist, and/or adaptive technologist.

The basic design of the IEP is the same within each state, and they are all similar to each other, in keeping with IDEA.