Early intervention services are to be provided in natural environments to the maximum extent appropriate for the child and for the EI service itself.
So–what’s considered a “natural environment”? What isn’t? This webpage focuses upon answering these questions and on connecting you with resources of additional information and best practice.
- IDEA’s definition of “natural environment”
- Who decides where?
- Based on what?
- What must be included in the IFSP?
- Two points from the Department of Education
- Resources of more information
IDEA’s definition of “natural environment”
Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that eligible infants and toddlers with disabilities receive needed early intervention services in natural environments to the maximum extent appropriate. The 2011 regulations for Part define the term as follows: §303.26 Natural environments. Natural environments means settings that are natural or typical for a same-aged infant or toddler without a disability, may include the home or community settings, and must be consistent with the provisions of §303.126. That’s a straightforward, easily understood definition–with the exception of how it ends (“…must be consistent with the provisions of §303.126″). What might the provisions of §303.126 require? Let’s have a look. Here they are: §303.126 Early intervention services in natural environments. Each system must include policies and procedures to ensure, consistent with §§303.13(a)(8) (early intervention services), 303.26 (natural environments), and 303.344(d)(1)(ii) (content of an IFSP), that early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities are provided— (a) To the maximum extent appropriate, in natural environments; and (b) In settings other than the natural environment that are most appropriate, as determined by the parent and the IFSP Team, only when early intervention services cannot be achieved satisfactorily in a natural environment. Combining these two sets of provisions makes it clear that early intervention services:- must be provided in settings that are natural or typical for a same-aged infant or toddler without a disability to the maximum extent appropriate;
- may be provided in other settings only when the services cannot be achieved satisfactorily in a natural environment.
Who decides where services will be provided?
The Part C regulations also make it clear that the IFSP team determines the appropriate setting for providing early intervention services to a child or toddler. The IFSP team may determine that a service will not be provided in a natural environment only “when early intervention services cannot be achieved satisfactorily in a natural environment.” Note | IFSP team refers broadly to the group of people who write the child’s individualized family service plan (IFSP). More specifically, as described in the Part C regulations:- The child’s parents are members of the IFSP team. They may invite other family members to participate on the team as well (if it’s feasible to do so). They may also request an advocate or person from outside the family to participate on the team.
- The IFSP team must include two or more individuals from separate disciplines or professions, one of which must be the family’s service coordinator.
- The IFSP team must also include a person or persons directly involved in conducting the evaluations and assessments of the child and family.
- As appropriate, people who will be providing early intervention services to the child may also serve on the IFSP team. (§303.343)
