(3.27) My child is eligible for special education under one of the eligibility categories, but she has other problems which affect her learning. Must the district address these other learning needs too? – SERR – Special Education Rights and Responsibilities

(3.27) My child is eligible for special education under one of the eligibility categories, but she has other problems which affect her learning. Must the district address these other learning needs too?

Yes. Federal law requires the district to assess in all areas related to the student’s disability. The evaluation must be “sufficiently comprehensive to identify all of the child’s special education and related services needs, whether or not commonly linked to the disability category in which the child has been classified.” [34 C.F.R. Sec. 300.304 (c)(4), (6); Cal. Ed. Code Section 56320 (f).] For example, a student may be eligible for special education on the basis of a specific learning disability, but may also have an attention deficit disorder. The school must also evaluate the child for the nature and extent of the attention challenge and for necessary interventions. [Corona-Norco Unified School Dist., SN 1137-98, 30 IDELR 179.] As long as the student is qualified for special education under one of the eligibility categories, the IEP team must take the student’s unique needs (such as behavioral, language or communication needs) into account in designing an IEP. [34 C.F.R. Sec. 300.39.]