Current status of IDEA reauthorization.

T he Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 1990, Public Law 101-476; originally called the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 [Public Law 94-142]) provides the underpinnings for the delivery of occupational therapy to children with disabilities. Occupational therapy is included in IDEA as an educationaUy related service for children and young adults ages 3 years to 21 years and as an early intervention service for infants and toddlers from birth to 3 years. During the past 3 years of discussion and debate in the U.S. Congress around the reauthorization ofIDEA (at publication of this American Journal o/Occupational Therapy special issue on school-based practice, this process was not complete, but funding to continue IDEA services had been appropriated for fiscal year 1997), many key issues have emerged