According to PL 99-457, a child under 2 with a hearing loss is entitled to which service plan?

• A. be fitted with binaural hearing aids
• B. have ABR testing
• C. be enrolled in a center-based habilitation program
• D. have a written Individualized Family Service Plan

Answer: (D)

For infants and toddlers with a hearing loss, a written plan called an Individualized Family Service Plan is required to coordinate early-intervention services under PL 99-457. This plan is developed for children from birth to age 3 and is family-centered, outlining the specific services the child and family will receive, where and how often, to support development across areas such as communication, cognitive, social-emotional, and motor skills. The plan is created by a multidisciplinary team together with the family and is reviewed at least every six months and updated annually. It’s distinct from diagnostic tests or devices, and from school-age plans; ABR testing is a diagnostic assessment, binaural hearing aids are devices, and center-based habilitation is a possible service delivery option, not the plan itself. The IFSP ensures coordinated, natural-enviornment services tailored to the child and family.