Consensus among experts in pediatric occupational and physical therapy on elements of individualized education programs.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to establish consensus among a sample of expert occupational therapy and physical therapy practitioners on characteristics necessary for individualized education program (IEP) objectives to be educationally relevant, measurable, and appropriate in content.


METHODS
The Delphi technique was used to survey 38 board-certified clinical specialists from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. Nine physical therapists and 29 occupational therapists agreed to participate.


RESULTS
The results of a three-round survey process revealed six characteristics of measurability, six characteristics of educational relevance, and seven characteristics related to content that were agreed on by 75% or more of the respondents.


CONCLUSIONS
While IDEA is being readied for its next reauthorization, knowledge of these characteristics may be helpful to related service professionals in their participation for developing higher quality IEPs.
Dole
Robin L
RL
Institute for Physical Therapy Education, Widener University, Chester, PA 19013, USA.
Arvidson
Kristin
K
Byrne
Eilish
E
Robbins
Jodi
J
Schasberger
Britta
B