As IDEA’s definition of OHI makes clear, a health impairment affects a student’s
educational performance. In fact, for a child to qualify for special education services in
the public schools, the OHI must affect the child’s educational performance.
When a child is found to be eligible for special education, he or she will also be eligible
to receive related services in school—which can be very valuable and relevant to the
child’s needs. Related services are provided as required to enable children with
disabilities to benefit from their special education. Two in particular come to mind for
children who have an OHI.
Medical services, which are provided for diagnostic and evaluative purposes only.
These services are provided by a licensed physician to determine a child’s medically
related disability that results in the child’s need for special education and related
services.
School health services and school nurse services, which are defined by IDEA. These
health services are designed to enable a child with a disability to receive FAPE as
described in the child’s IEP. School nurse services are services provided by a qualified
school nurse. School health services are services that may be provided by either a
qualified school nurse or other qualified person.
What was previously called “school health services” in IDEA was expanded in its 2004
reauthorization to distinguish between services that are provided by a qualified nurse
and those that may be provided by other qualified individuals. States and local school
districts often have guidelines that address school health services and school nurse
services. These may include providing such health-related support as:
- Special feedings
- Clean intermittent catheterization
- Suctioning
- Management of a tracheostomy
- Administering and/or dispensing medications
- Planning for the safety of a child in school
- Ensuring that care is given while at school and at school functions to prevent injury (e.g., changing a child’s position frequently to prevent pressure sores)
- Chronic disease management
- Conducting and/or promoting education and skills training for all (including the child) who serve as caregivers in the school setting.
Determining what related services a child needs is the responsibility of the child’s IEP
team or ARD committee. Key information for decision makers will be available from the
evaluation process, since a child must be assessed in all areas related to his or her
suspected disability. The IEP team must look carefully at the evaluation results, which
show the child’s areas of strength and need, and decide upon which related services
are appropriate for the child. The school must then provide these services as part of the
child’s education program.
