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How can schools pay for assistive technology for autistic students?

IDEA duties, district budgets, grants, state AT programs and device loans, and how to build a funding request.

By The Autism Kit teamUpdated Sep 27, 2026 · 1 min read
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The short answer

Under IDEA, districts must make assistive technology available when a student's IEP team decides it's needed, at no cost to families, including home use when required. Funding usually comes from district and IDEA budgets. Schools can also use grants, state assistive technology programs (which run device loans and demonstrations), and pilot budgets for tools that support many students.

Key takeaways
  • IDEA requires AT when the IEP team decides it's needed.
  • AT in the IEP is free to families, including home use if needed.
  • State AT programs offer loans and demonstrations.
  • Low-cost tools can fit classroom or pilot budgets.

What does IDEA require?

Districts must ensure assistive technology devices and services are available if a student needs them, and IEP teams must consider AT for every student.12 Home use must be allowed when the IEP team decides it's needed.1

Where does the money come from?

Common AT funding sources
SourceBest for
District special education budgetAT listed in IEPs
IDEA Part B fundsSpecial education services and supports
Classroom or school budgetsLow-cost apps used by many students
Grants and foundationsPilots and larger projects
State AT programsLoans, demonstrations and guidance

State assistive technology programs are listed by the AT3 Center.3

How do I build a funding request?

  1. Name the need: which students and IEP goals.
  2. Show the tool and cost per student.
  3. Share privacy details.
  4. Propose a pilot with measures.

What can I do next?

0 of 3 done

Read next: What assistive technology belongs in an IEP?

Common questions

No. AT the IEP team decides is needed must be provided at no cost to the family.

Sources

  1. Legal Information Institute: 34 CFR § 300.105, assistive technology. law.cornell.edu
  2. Legal Information Institute: 34 CFR § 300.324, development, review and revision of IEP. law.cornell.edu
  3. AT3 Center: State assistive technology programs. at3center.net

This guide shares general information and our team's perspective, based on the sources above. Rules and services differ by country, region and school, so always check your local guidance and your organisation's policies. How we write our guides.

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