Can paraprofessionals and assistants provide services under IDEA?
Yes. Paraprofessionals and assistants are new categories of personnel under the new IDEA. The regulations state that they must be appropriately trained and supervised in accordance with state law, regulations or written policy to assist in the provision of special education and related services. The regulations do not provide specific guidance as to the requirements for their supervision, training and use. SLPs will need to check state law and policy regarding the appropriate use of paraprofessionals and assistants and refer to ASHA’s guidelines on speech-language pathology assistants.
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