IEP Assessments
Information for Parents

In the state of California music therapy is an IEP related service, meaning a child may qualify for services through the school district. This is not to say that any child with special needs or a love for music will qualify for IEP based music therapy services. In order to be approved for services, the student must undergo an assessment to determine if music therapy is educationally necessary for that student to make progress on their IEP goals. ​

IDEA 2004 states in Sec. 300.34, related services are those as are required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education. If the student is not making progress toward their goals in the instructional setting, AND the student receives a significant motivation and/or assist from music therapy interventions (demonstrating a clear difference in the way the student performs IEP goals and objectives in the music therapy setting versus the classroom setting), then it can be said that there is an educational need for music therapy.
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​Services are not provided solely because the student enjoys music, or solely because he or she has a disability. Music therapy is also not provided as a substitute for attending a music education class or to fulfill the fine arts requirements of a student's IEP. ​
​​ASSESSMENT PROCESS:

1. Formal Request for Assessment is made
    by any member of the student's IEP team.

2. Music Therapist gathers information from
    parent(s), teacher(s), and other staff or
    professionals who work with the student.

3. Music therapist completes a review 
    student's records and determines potential 
    goals that may be addressed through music
    therapy to focus assessment on.

4. Music therapist conducts an observation of
    student working on goals in a non-music
    setting

5. Music therapist performs the music therapy
    assessment session, assessing the student's
    non-music related goals through music
    therapy interventions.

6. Music therapist submits completed
    assessment paperwork to the school
    district. 

7. Music therapists presents assessment results
    at IEP Meeting. 

​If you are a parent or guardian interested in receiving more information about IEP based music therapy assessments for your student, please email:
​darcy@isorhythmsmt.com

Please note you must go through your school district to formally request an IEP based music therapy assessment.