Expert Advice on Evaluation and Eligibility Related to IDEA – A Conversation with Dr. Lissa Power-deFur

If you have been an SLP for more than five minutes, you’ve probably attended an eligibility meeting wondering whether everyone at the table is using the same rulebook. Between outdated testing practices, inconsistent district policies, and the ever-growing number of complex evaluations, IDEA compliance can feel less like a clear federal mandate and more like a choose-your-own-adventure novel. And when eligibility decisions carry real consequences for the children we serve, “winging it” is not an option.

That is exactly why we invited ASHA Fellow Dr. Lissa Power-deFur to join us for our next conference. She has devoted her career to demystifying IDEA, clarifying evaluation requirements, and helping SLPs make fair and accurate eligibility decisions that hold up across settings. In our interview, she breaks down standardized versus non-standardized assessments, shares real case studies, and walks through the three-pronged test in a way that finally makes the process feel manageable.

Here are a few short clips from the conversation to give you a taste of her insights. Watch these highlights, then scroll down to join us for the full IDEA session and earn CEUs. Your future eligibility meetings will thank you.

How have changes in special education law affected evaluation and eligibility?

What are some ways SLPs can capture how a child communicates in everyday settings?

How do SLPs determine whether a communication challenge is really affecting a student’s learning?

What can SLPs do to make the conversation about dismissing students easier?

Want to hear the full story and earn CEUs?

Check out this course: Evaluation and Eligibility in Accordance with Both IDEA and Evidence-Based Practices

Special education services have been a cornerstone in schools for 50 years, yet educators now face challenges with evaluation procedures and eligibility decisions, particularly for multilingual students. The session aims to improve understanding of fair and compliant eligibility decisions, supported by real case studies for effective dismissal preparation.

Join ASHA Fellow Dr. Lissa Power-deFur, CCC-SLP, BCS-CL as she offers insights on navigating the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), focusing on evaluation requirements, the use of standardized versus non-standardized tools, and the three-pronged test for eligibility.