Which statement best describes the 1990 amendments' early intervention framework?

Which statement best describes the 1990 amendments' early intervention framework?

• A. It established a nationwide framework for early intervention services through the creation of the IFSP
• B. It required all preschoolers to have IEPs
• C. It removed funding for early intervention
• D. It mandated standardized testing for infants

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that the 1990 amendments created a nationwide, coordinated system for early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities, centered on planning and delivering services through an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). The IFSP is a family-focused, written plan that coordinates all needed services across different agencies (therapy, healthcare, education, etc.) and aligns them with the child’s developmental needs while supporting the family in their daily routines and natural environments. This framework standardizes how services are organized and delivered across states, ensuring young children receive comprehensive support early on. It’s not about preschoolers needing IEPs, which are designed for school-age children (and some preschool transitions may involve IEPs, but that’s a different part of IDEA). It didn’t remove funding for early intervention, nor did it introduce a requirement for standardized testing of infants.

The main idea here is that the 1990 amendments created a nationwide, coordinated system for early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities, centered on planning and delivering services through an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). The IFSP is a family-focused, written plan that coordinates all needed services across different agencies (therapy, healthcare, education, etc.) and aligns them with the child’s developmental needs while supporting the family in their daily routines and natural environments. This framework standardizes how services are organized and delivered across states, ensuring young children receive comprehensive support early on.

It’s not about preschoolers needing IEPs, which are designed for school-age children (and some preschool transitions may involve IEPs, but that’s a different part of IDEA). It didn’t remove funding for early intervention, nor did it introduce a requirement for standardized testing of infants.