IEP Related Services in Washington
What related services can be included in an IEP in Washington?
In Washington State, related services are defined consistently with federal law under WAC 392-172A-01155 and 34 CFR 300.34, encompassing developmental, corrective, and other supportive services required to assist a student with a disability to benefit from special education. Related services include speech-language pathology, audiology, psychological services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, counseling services, rehabilitation counseling, social work services, school health and nursing services, parent counseling and training, transportation, recreation, assistive technology services, orientation and mobility services, and interpreting services. The IEP must specify the frequency, duration, and location of each related service (WAC 392-172A-03090(1)(g)). Under WAC 392-172A-02015, assistive technology devices and services must be provided if required as part of a student's special education, related services, or supplementary aids and services, and must be available for home use if the IEP team determines the student needs access outside school to receive FAPE. Washington also requires that related services be based on peer-reviewed research to the extent practicable (WAC 392-172A-03090(1)(e)). Washington's 9 regional Educational Service Districts (ESDs) often provide or contract for related services in smaller districts that cannot maintain specialized staff independently.
What Washington Requires
The IEP must specify each related service with its frequency, location, duration, and projected start date (WAC 392-172A-03090(1)(g); 34 CFR 300.320(a)(7)).
Related services include speech-language, audiology, OT, PT, counseling, psychological services, social work, nursing, parent counseling and training, transportation, recreation, assistive technology, orientation and mobility, and interpreting services (WAC 392-172A-01155; 34 CFR 300.34).
Assistive technology devices and services must be provided if required as part of the student's special education, related services, or supplementary aids (WAC 392-172A-02015(1)).
School-purchased AT devices must be available for home use if the IEP team determines the student needs access to receive FAPE (WAC 392-172A-02015(2)).
All related services must be based on peer-reviewed research to the extent practicable (WAC 392-172A-03090(1)(e)).
If the district cannot provide a related service directly, it may contract with external agencies or Washington's 9 regional ESDs at no cost to the family (34 CFR 300.17; WAC 392-172A-01080).
Key Timelines
Related services must begin on the projected start date documented in the IEP and be in effect at the beginning of each school year (WAC 392-172A-03090(1)(g); 34 CFR 300.323(a)).
Related services must be reviewed at least annually as part of the IEP review (WAC 392-172A-03110(2)).
For transfer students, the receiving district must provide comparable services promptly while developing a new IEP (34 CFR 300.323(e)-(f)).
Sources
Related IEP Guides
IEP Services Explained: What Your Child Should Be Getting
Understand IEP related services — speech, OT, PT, counseling, and more. Learn direct vs. consultative models and what to do if services aren't delivered.
The IEP Says 30 Minutes of Speech. My Child Gets 15.
What to do when your child's IEP services aren't delivered as written — how to discover the gap, document it, and hold the school accountable.
Compensatory Services: What Your Child Is Owed When the School Falls Short
What compensatory services are, when your child is entitled to them, how to request them, and what to do when IEP services are missed.