Can children with intellectual disabilities attend school?
A child with intellectual disability can do well in school but is likely to need individual help. Fortunately, states are responsible for meeting the educational needs of children with disabilities. For children up to age three, services are provided through an early intervention system. Staff works with the child’s family to develop an Individualized Family Services Plan, or IFSP. The IFSP will describe the child’s unique needs and the services the child will receive to address those needs. The IFSP will emphasize the unique needs of the family, so that parents and other family members can learn how to help their intellectually disabled child. Early intervention services may be provided on a sliding-fee basis, where costs to the family will depend upon their income. For eligible school-aged children (including preschoolers), special education and related services are available through the school system. School staff will work with the child’s parents to develop an Individualized Educa
