2011 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
TITLE 17 — Education
RS 17:1972 — Definitions

§1972. Definitions

(1)(a) "Infants and toddlers with special needs" means an individual under three years of age who needs early intervention services because the individual:

(i) Is experiencing developmental delays, as measured by appropriate diagnostic instruments and procedures in one or more of the areas of cognitive development, physical development, communication development, social or emotional development, and adaptive development, or

(ii) Has a diagnosed physical or mental condition which has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay.

(b) This definition may also include, at Louisiana's discretion, at-risk infants and toddlers.

(c) At-risk infant or toddler means an individual under three years of age who would be at risk of experiencing a substantial developmental delay if early intervention services were not provided to the individual.

(2) "Early intervention services" means developmental services that:

(a) Are provided under public supervision.

(b) Are provided at no cost except where federal or state law provides for a system of payments by families, including a schedule of sliding fees.

(c) Are designed to meet developmental needs of an infant or toddler with special needs in any one of the following areas:

(i) Physical development.

(ii) Cognitive development.

(iii) Communication development.

(iv) Social or emotional development.

(v) Adaptive development.

(d) Meet the standards of the state of Louisiana.

(e) Include but are not limited to:

(i) Family training, counseling, and home visits.

(ii) Special instruction.

(iii) Speech-language pathology and audiology services.

(iv) Occupational therapy.

(v) Physical therapy.

(vi) Psychological services.

(vii) Family service coordination services.

(viii) Medical services only for diagnostic or evaluation purposes.

(ix) Early identification, screening, and assessment services.

(x) Health services necessary to enable the infant or toddler to benefit from other early intervention services.

(xi) Social work services.

(xii) Vision services.

(xiii) Assistive technology devices and assistive technology services.

(xiv) Transportation and related costs that are necessary to enable an infant or toddler and the infant's or toddler's family to receive early intervention services.

(f) Are provided by qualified personnel, including:

(i) Special educators.

(ii) Speech-language pathologists and audiologists.

(iii) Occupational therapists.

(iv) Physical therapists.

(v) Psychologists.

(vi) Social workers.

(vii) Nurses.

(viii) Nutritionists.

(ix) Family therapists.

(x) Orientation and mobility specialists.

(xi) Pediatricians and other physicians.

(g) To the maximum extent appropriate, are provided in natural environments, including the home, and community settings in which children without special needs participate.

(h) Are provided in conformity with an individualized family service plan adopted in accordance with this Part.

(3) "Council" means the Louisiana State Interagency Coordinating Council for ChildNet: Louisiana's Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Special Needs established by R.S. 17:1979.

Acts 1989, No. 377, §1, eff. June 29, 1989; Acts 1995, No. 1228, §1, eff. June 29, 1995; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 109, §1, eff. May 5, 1998.