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Informed Clinical Opinion


This document clarifies the meaning and use of “informed clinical opinion” in the context of Part C of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It explains how informed clinical opinion affects how to determine eligibility and points out why it is necessary to document informed clinical opinion. The regulations of informed clinical opinion ensure a dynamic assessment approach and permit greater compatibility between a child and family’s needs and the provision of services. The following article is provided courtesy of The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC).

The term “informed clinical opinion” appears in the regulatory requirements for the implementation of Part C of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as an integral part of an eligibility determination (see Table 1). It must be included in evaluation and assessment procedures, since it is a necessary safeguard against eligibility determination based upon isolated information or test scores alone. Since the term carries different meanings for individuals and agencies, it is important to clarify the meaning and use of “informed clinical opinion” in the context of Part C. This document uses a question-and-answer format to address three key issues: What does informed clinical opinion mean in the context of Part C? How does informed clinical opinion affect the determination of eligibility? Why is it necessary to document informed clinical opinion? Informed Clinical Opinion>> [PDF, 49KB]

"Informed Clinical Opinion." Shackelford, J. NECTAC Notes, Issue No. 10. National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center. ED/OSERS/OSEP. 2002. English. [PDF, 49KB].

Last Reviewed: December 2009

Last Updated: November 30, 2012

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